Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Production of the Lunar Relief Map Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners replicate the lunar surface. In this mapping skills lesson, students study the topography of the moon. Learners then use craft materials to create topographic maps of the lunar surface where the Eagle landed.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Topographic Maps Worksheet

For Students 7th - 12th
In this geography skills learning exercise, students respond to 37 multi-part questions that require them to read and interpret topographic maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Read a Topographic Map

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the use of topographic maps.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Viewing Earth and Sky

For Students 7th - 12th
In this earth and sky worksheet, students review terms associated with map reading. Students also review topographic maps and how contour lines represent elevation. This worksheet has 5 matching, 5 true or false, 5 fill in the blank, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Generate an Accurate Landscape Profile from a Topographic Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students enerate an accurate landscape profile from a topographic map. They determine the correct interval needed to accurately graph the change in elevation on a single piece of graph paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planning A Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use topographical maps students explain the challenges involved in building the railroad in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Topographical Maps to 3-Dimensional Models

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers apply knowledge of topographical maps and how computer programs are used to make 3-D models of areas that humans have never visited. They view a Mars Canyon movie, then map the canyon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the features of a topographic map. They make paper models that portray, in three-dimensions, features represented by contour lines on a topographic map. Students demonstrate different elevations shown on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climb Every Volcano

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use a contour map to distinguish the elevation of a volcano.  In this volcano lesson, students use styrofoam to create the contour of their map.  Students glue and assemble their volcano.   Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planning A Railroad Online Lesson

For Teachers 4th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Island

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students make a map of an imaginary island using the topographic symbols provided from a worksheet. Students place lakes, dwellins, reefs, etc. in areas where they would logically be located from understanding how the topography of an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building A Topographic Model

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students visualize, in three dimensions, features represented by contour lines on a topographic map. They see that the different elevations shown on a two dimensional topographic map can be used to build a 3-D model.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Island

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore islands. They create a two- or three-dimensional map of an island. They explain how the topography of an area influences the location of water sources, ecosystems, and human settlements. Lesson includes adaptations for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topography: Know the topography of your neighborhood

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and identify features on a topography map. In this topography lesson plan, students learn how to read a topography map, and then go out and take pictures of their own and discuss the topography pictures they took.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Monitoring Vocabulary

For Teachers 7th - 12th
As the title implies, this is a list of vocabulary terms relating to water monitoring. If your ecology class is learning about how to test water quality, this will be an appropriate reference sheet for them. As a bonus, if you live in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plotting the Petroleum Plume

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the difference between confining layers and aquifers in a basic water table aquifer scenario. They contour groundwater elevation and petroleum product thickness data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore Mount Shasta and various locations on Mars to examine ways geographical data can be represented. They study topographic maps and translating data from 2-Dimensions to 3-Dimensions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Its Slope

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students identify the slope of a lines.In this algebra lesson, students define the  meaning of slope and write an equation given the slope. They graph linear functions using the slope and y-intercept.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Our Watershed System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how watershed systems are made up, and visit the Susquehanna watershed system and map out the system. They evaluate the order of watercourses in their area.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in the Oak Woodlands: Early People of the Jewett Mine Area

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the archeology and native peoples of the Jewett Mine area of Texas. Using a map, they explain the economic patterns of the native groups and how the geography of the area affected activities. They compare and contrast...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historical Geography Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are told that Geography is the science that deals with the differentiation of the surface of the earth due to the influence of things like population, vegetation, geology, and land use. They explore the Geography Basics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in the Oak Woodlands: Early People of the Jewett Mine Area

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students are introduced to the early peoples living in the Jewett Mine area. After viewing transparencies, they view pictures of the mine today and its main area of production. For each picture, they develop symbols and captions about...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Contour Maps: Creating Contour Maps by Surveying

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, the students will understand how contour maps are created and appear the way that they do by using various materials to create and compare contour lines of different elevation levels.
Unit Plan
Other

Ordnance Survey: Map Zone: Relief and Contour Lines

For Students 3rd - 5th
Discover how to read and show height on maps using relief and contour lines.