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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Potato Mountain": Reading/Understanding Topographic Maps

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate how to read topographic maps.  In this map reading lesson students complete a topographic map activity. 
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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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Topographic Maps and Mountain Profiles

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Young scholars study how to mark inclines and construct a mountain profile.  In this topographic map lesson students mark contour intervals and draw mountain profiles. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a 3d Model and Corresponding Topographic Map

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create a landform model and topographic map. In this topography activity, students use a real landform to create a model and topographic map to scale.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Topographical Maps to 3-Dimensional Models

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Topo Maps

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explain and interpret topographic maps.
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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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working With Electronic Topography Maps

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Junior geologists examine topographic maps online and learn how to read them. they answer seven associated follow-up questions. This lesson plan is only a general outline and does not provide the details or the websites that you would...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MAPS AND TOPOGRAPHY

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students analyze the details of a topographic map and create one of their own by utilyzing a map of elevations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the Canyon

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers compare and contrast topographic maps and bathymetric maps. They investigate how bathymetric maps are made and how to interpret one.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salad Tray 3D Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the characteristics of topographical maps. They examine the relationship of contour lines and vertical elevation. Students create a three-dimensional model of a landscape represented by a topographic contour map.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Mount St. Helens

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners study topographic maps and contour lines and construct a simple three-dimensional model of Mount St. Helens before the May 18, 1980, eruption. They use topographic map skills to interpret the impact of the May 18, 1980, eruption...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracing Highs and Lows in San Francisco

For Teachers 9th - 12th
On a topographic map, students identify the scale bar, north arrow, and contour interval. They then locate a hill on the map and make note of the contour lines. Students then locate other places with similar contour line patterns....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcano Contour Models Activity and Tracing the Highs and Lows in San Francisco

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate how to draw topographic contours and read topographic maps.They examine the topography of San Francisco and contrast the elevation of different points within San Francisco.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Put Your Face on the Map

For Teachers 5th - 7th
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...
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Production of the Lunar Relief Map Project

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

Orienteering

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Everything you wanted to know about orienteering, and more! Take your class on an adventure with this creative activity. You will need to gather some supplies and materials and maps for your specific location, but the unit sounds like it...
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Potato Island

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students create their own topographical map using a potato. In this hands on lesson students construct a topographical map and explain what contour lines are using a potato.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What do Maps Show?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders practice reading maps.  In this geography instructional activity, 7th graders compare a topographical map to a picture of the actual place. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bathymetric Mapping

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students draw contour lines based on NOAA soundings on a nautical chart. They color the contours and glue label tags for topographic features. They determine that the floor of the ocean is composed of hills, plains, ridges, trenches,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Maps to Models

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study topography maps and learn the importance of their contour lines.  In this map lesson plan students create their own topography map.