Curated OER
What Do Maps Show?: Lesson 4 How to Read a Topographic Map
Students examine the use of topographic maps as two dimensional representations that show elevations and slopes with contour lines. They read maps of the Salt Lake City, Utah area and complete the associated worksheets that show map...
National Geographic
Mapping the Shape of Everest
With Mount Everest as the motivator, your earth science class learns about topographic maps. Begin by showing a film clip from The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest, featuring fearsome virtual imagery of a path up world's tallest peak....
KOG Ranger Program
Fire Behavior in Forests
Understanding the ways a fire will act is a key factor in fire safety and fire prevention. Young campers focus on how the weather and terrain can affect the behavior of a fire with topographic maps and different scenarios.
Curated OER
Topographic Mapping Skills
In this geography worksheet, students read an excerpt about topographic maps and why they are useful for various jobs. They also respond to eleven questions that follow related to the excerpt and locating specific map points on the map...
Curated OER
We're on the Map!
Students identify a variety of topographic map symbols. They make generalizations about an unidentified community by reading and interpreting map symbols.
Curated OER
3-D Topographic Maps
Students create a 3-D topographic map. In this map building lesson, students use cardboard to create a topographic map of the Catskills mountain region.
Curated OER
Play Doh Map of Your State
Students create a state map using Playdoh. In this hands-on state geography instructional activity, students work in groups to form a three-dimensional map of their state using Playdoh made at home following a (given) recipe. Students...
Curated OER
Put Your Face on the Map
Learners investigate topography and contour lines by examining a human face. In this mapping lesson, students create a plaster cast of a face and create a map of the contours of the face one centimeter at a time. Learners examine the...
Curated OER
Planning A Railroad Online Lesson
Students plan a route across Donner Summit using topographical maps in order to understand the challenges involved in constructing the railroad in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this history lesson, students first discover how to read...
Curated OER
Trailblazers- Now and Then
Students examine and study the routes of trailblazers. In this American history instructional activity, students find a route on a map and compare that to the route of trailblazers. Students will then compare that map with a...
Curated OER
Waldseemuller's Map: World 1507
Students investigate the 1507 word map. In this world geography lesson, students examine the details of each section of the map and then draw conclusions about how the people of 1507 understood the world. Students are evalated on...
NOAA
Into the Deep
Take young scientists into the depths of the world's ocean with the second instructional activity of this three-part earth science series. After first drawing pictures representing how they imagine the bottom of the ocean to appear,...
Curated OER
Making Maps
In this map making activity, students learn about the science of making maps, which is cartography. They then answer the 11 questions on the activity. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
Exploring Earth Through Maps and Technology
In this maps worksheet, learners read 3 pages of detailed information about maps, latitude, longitude, topography, satellites and global positioning. Students then answer 10 questions. There is also a research project assignment available.
Curated OER
Boundaries and People
Students map watersheds to find their boundaries. In this watershed activity students map and then give their "watershed address." Students show the trail from stream, larger stream to oceans. Students describe the boundaries of the...
Curated OER
Book: Germany
Learners, after reading Chapter One in the book, "Germany," analyze and recreate the political boundaries as well as the physical features of the nation of Germany with the assistance of play-doh or salt dough. In groups, they create...
Curated OER
Planning a Railroad
Students use a topographical map to plan a route from Doknner Summit to Truckee, then compare it to the route selected by Theodore Judah.
Curated OER
The Landscape of a Novel
Students, after reading a novel, utilize geographic skills to map out the places described in the novel. They collect data, envision spatial features and then design a map to work off of to complete their assignment. Each student also...
Curated OER
Geography and Culture in South Carolina
Learners explore South Carolina. In this cultural heritage activity, students investigate the topography of South Carolina using maps. Learners are engaged in identifying the different regions of the state and examine the cultural...
Alabama Learning Exchange
WATER You Doing to Help?
Auntie Litter is here to educate young scholars about water pollution and environmental stewardship! Although the 15-minute video clip is cheesy, it's an engaging look at the water cycle and conservation. Learners start by illustrating...
Curated OER
Book: Spain
Young scholars, after reading Chapter One in the book, "Spain," design and re-create the political boundaries as well as the physical features of nation of Spain. They utilize play-doh or salt dough to illustrate and create their three...
Curated OER
Trailblazers - Now and Then
Students, working in pairs, use maps to determine the most efficient routes between two cities. They research which route would have been used by early trailblazers. They present a first person account of one of the trailblazers place in...
Curated OER
Mud Maps
Students discuss the location of stores, buildings, and homes in their community. Afterwards, they create a 'mud map' demonstrating the route from one point to another. In pairs, students read travel directions from a brochure, while...
Curated OER
Chain Across the Hudson Lesson Plan A - Locating the Chain
Students read a letter from George Washington requesting them to identify on a map a location that would stop the advance of British warships. They choose a location and justify their choice.