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Reading A Weather Map

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders construct a weather map. In this meteorology lesson, 9th graders construct a weather map using contour lines and temperature.
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Making Topographic Maps and Mountain Profiles

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students 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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Map Analysis Worksheet

For Students 8th - 9th
In this map analysis worksheet, students decipher what type of map they are using based on a complete list of criteria. Students then answer multiple questions based on their discoveries.
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Making Maps

For Students 4th - 6th
In this map making worksheet, students learn about the science of making maps, which is cartography. They then answer the 11 questions on the worksheet. The answers are on the last page.
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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...
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Introduction To Topographic Map Activities

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students discuss different types of maps, their similarities and differences. Using a Topographical Maps CD-rom program students create their own map.
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Weaving Weather Maps with the World Wide Web

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students access the Internet and use real time data from the American Meteorological Society to create a detailed weather map. They make weather predictions based on the data collected.
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Topographic Maps Worksheet

For Students 7th - 12th
In this geography skills worksheet, students respond to 37 multi-part questions that require them to read and interpret topographic maps.
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Mapping and Topgraphy- 8th Grade

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders practice interpreting a contour map as well as reading latitude and longitude in a team activity. Following a discussion on mapping terms, teams are given maps and estimate the distance between two points. Students...
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Common Themes

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders test usefulness of a model Earth by comparing its predictions to observations in the real world.  In this landforms lesson students construct an island from a contour map using model clay then analyze the landscape...
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What do Maps Show?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders practice reading maps.  In this geography lesson, 7th graders compare a topographical map to a picture of the actual place. 
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Geographical Skills-- Map Scale

For Students 5th - 6th
In this maps instructional activity, students study a simple map and the scale in kilometres. Students read the directions and answer one question. Students then look at a sketch map of a town and answer 2 questions. Students also read...
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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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Planning a Railroad Online Lesson

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students design a train route using a topographical map. In this historical and spatial thinking lesson plan, students must plan a route through the Sierra Nevada mountains that a train could physically travel. Links to printable student...
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Theobroma - Food of the Gods

For Teachers 4th - 11th
Students discuss the history of cacao and its use in the production of chocolate. They analyze actual cacao pods and record their observations. Finally they create a five minute contour drawing of the cacao pod and seeds.
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The Great Topo Race

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students create a three dimensional island out of cardboard to examine how to read and use a topographical map. They make sure that their island can sustain life and that it has one volcanic mountain peak. They trace the parts of their...
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Mapping The Ocean Floor

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars explore and analyze the bottom structure of underwater habitats. They describe and explain what can't see through the collection and correlation of accurate data. Learners assess that technology is utilized as a tool for...
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Topography: Know the topography of your neighborhood

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers read and identify features on a topography map. For 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.
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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...
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Topo Triangulation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate how to read a topographical map and triangulate with just a map. They convert a compass measurement to a protractor measurement, reverse a bearing direction, and using a worksheet take a bearing of certain landmarks...
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Take a Hike

For Students 7th - 10th
For this geography skills worksheet, students respond to 9 questions that require them to read topographic maps and interpret them. The topographic maps are not included.
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Mapping the Ocean Floor

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students study the bottom structure of underwater habitats and how they can be mapped.
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Tooling Around Arizona: Reading Arizona Maps

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study geography. In this Arizona maps lesson, students develop their map reading skills. They have class discussions and work independently with various copies of Arizona maps to practice those skills. This lesson mentions...
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A Thoreau Look at Our Environment

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write journal entries o school site at least once during each season, including sketched and written observations of present environment. They can use sample topographical maps and student's own maps. Students can use...