Introduce middle or high schoolers to topographic maps with this PowerPoint. After a review of longitude and latitude, display and describe contour lines and intervals. Also explain map scale. This is a useful presentation for a social...

Students review various contour maps, including local ones, to identify landforms such as mountains and plains. They create a 3-D contour map of an imaginary location that shows at least 10 changes in elevation. Afterward, they write a...

Underclassmen create a cone-shaped landform and then draw a contour map for it. Then they examine a quadrangle (which was easily located with an online search), and relate it to what they experienced. The accompanying worksheet is...

Students interpret topographic maps and infer human activity as it is influenced by the landscape.

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...

Establish and study the parts of a map with your class and, then they will work in small groups to create their own detailed map, including a legend.  There are specific instructions to follow on what needs to be included.

Learners explore the information depicted on topographic maps. They construct a 3-D topographic map of a local area. They go on a field trip to the depicted area and compare the 'real world' with their models.

Ninth graders analyze a fantasy art map by Jeremy Anderson, paying careful attention to the way the topographic features of the land are represented. They create a similar map of Sacramento that includes topographical features as well as...

Young scholars research the islands of Japan to investigate their location in the world and the islands' characteristics. They comprehend map making and topography. Studnets construct a scale-model map of the Japanese islands and...

There are only four questions here. There is a contour map of Cottonwood, Colorado and the creek that crosses it. Earth scientists tell in what direction the creek flows, identify the highest elevation on the map, draw a topographic...

Students construct a topographic map of the Denali National Park. They identify different elevations and record historic landmarks in student science journals.

Why would Robert E. Lee order Pickett's Charge, an action that changed the course of the Civil War? Geographer and historian Anne Knowles uses digital technology to explain what she thinks is the missing piece in trying to understand...

Eighth graders explore the ocean floor. In this topography lesson, 8th graders compare topographical maps to bathymetric charts. They will create a topographic map and note landmarks and other land features.

In this social studies lesson plan, students answer short answer questions about the geography, topography, history, and architecture of the east part of the United States. Students complete 24 questions.

Students compare and contrast topographic maps and bathymetric maps. They investigate how bathymetric maps are made and how to interpret one.

Middle schoolers read and use topographical maps. They also use a compass to find bearing to an object on a map and in the classroom. Ask your students how they might travel to somewhere they have never been to befo

Students investigate three types of maps. In this history lesson, students idenitfy different maps and explore how they relate to the area, while keeping climate and topography in mind. They discuss maps used to navigate land....

Explore New England's economic and cultural past and possible issues New Englanders will face in the future. Middle and high schoolers research the fishing industry and the need for regulation. They analyze the topography of New England...

Young explorers study South American geography. They study maps and create a physical map of the Andes themselves! They also research the geography, environment, and the culture of the Andes and present a report to the class.

Extremely throrough and informative, this presentation details many aspects of European geography and demographics, including natural resources, climate, topography, and population distribution. This slideshow would be an excellent...

In small groups, energy engineers research and make a topographic map of a marine natural resource. They report to the rest of the class pros and cons of extracting their assigned resource. The two activities may take up to four class...

In this map reading worksheet, students determine the distance from a plotted treasure on a topographic map. They must adjust for magnetic declination.

Students use maps to discover where Puerto Rico is located. In groups, they use the internet to research the vegetation. They also compare and contrast the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico's government.