Curated OER
Volcanoes!: Forecasting the Path of Mudflows
Learners construct a mockup of a volcano by crumbling up newspapers and piling them into the shape of a volcano. They place a tarp over the newspapers making sure the tarp is large enough to simulate a flat area at the volcano's base....
Curated OER
Tracing Highs and Lows in San Francisco
On a topographic map, pupils 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....
Curated OER
Italy: The Landscape
Students work in small groups to create a topographic map of Italy. They must include labeled line drawings of bordering countries and bodies of water. Students use salt and flour clay to make Italy three dimensional, showing the many...
Curated OER
The Delicate Balance - Iowa's Natural Resources
Discover the natural resources in Iowa by studying it's history. In this environmental lesson, your students will observe a topographical map of Iowa and identify where its most valuable resources are. They complete an Iowa name...
Curated OER
Forcasting the Path of Mudflows
Young scholars visualize consistency of mudflows and how they move down stream valleys away from a volcano's summit. They use topographic maps of Mount St. Helens before the 1980 eruptions to forecast the path mudflows might take during...
Curated OER
Understanding a Geological Map
Students identify different types of maps and observe a geological map. In this geology lesson students create a replica map of a geological area that includes a key.
Curated OER
Geologic Mapping I
Students create a geologic map and cross-section of an area of horizontal sedimentary rocks, exposed in several locations. Map must include a complete key or legend with rock descriptions of the various formations.
Curated OER
MAPPING THE TOPOGRAPHY OF UNKNOWN SURFACES
Students describe in words and graphic displays the elevation or depression profile of sections of Mars' Olympus Mons and/or Valles Marineris. They explain how orbiting spacecraft build up global maps one data slice at a time.
Curated OER
Surveying the Land
Students explore the different kinds of maps and the purpose of each. In this Geography lesson, students work in small groups to create a map which includes the use of a map key.
Curated OER
Map It!
Fourth graders collect and explore different maps and their uses before using the program Pixie to create maps of geographic features, political features, and economic information for the state in which they live.
Curated OER
Lesson 8: Changes in Deerfield, Massachusetts Shown in Maps
Eighth graders study maps of the same area from different time periods which show the ways in which the land stayed the same, and the ways this New England village changed over the years.
Curated OER
Continents and Oceans on the Move
Students create an awareness of the vast percentage of water covering the earth. They relate similarities/differences between topographical maps and other maps of various time periods. Students examine how to use a topographical map.
Curated OER
Waldseemuller's Map: World 1507
Seventh graders analyze various maps. In this Geography activity, 7th graders create a large map as a whole class. Students write a letter to Mr. Waldseemuller.
Curated OER
Topographic Connections: Earth's Surface Shapes Streams; Streams Sculpt the Earth
Learners identify physical characteristics of developing streams and infer changes in the landscape by creating a river model.
It's About Time
Volcanic Hazards: Flows
Did you know the largest volcano in our solar system is on Mars? Young scholars measure and experiment with how to predict lava and mud flows. This knowledge leads to better evacuation, safety, and preventative methods.
PBS
Accessible Shapes
All the 2-D and 3-D measurement work you need is in one location. Divided into three sections, the geometry lesson plans consist of visualization of three dimensions, classifying geometric figures, and finding surface area and volume....
Curated OER
Viewing Earth and Sky
In this earth and sky worksheet, learners 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...
Curated OER
Playdoh Mountains
In this mountain building activity, students use playdoh to create mountain features. They cut apart the mountain and then use the pieces to create a topo graphic map of their mountain.
Curated OER
River Study
Students study physical features of a local stream. They study how to identify water features on topographic maps.
Curated OER
The Great Topo Race
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...
Curated OER
Where are the Watersheds in San Francisco?
Students create a mental map of San Francisco. They compare it with actual topographical maps of the city. Then they label various locations on the San Francisco Hillshade map and locate watershed boundaries.
Curated OER
Topo Triangulation
Middle schoolers 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...
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Siting Wind Power
Students analyze a variety of curves that describe the power extracted from the wind by a variety of commercially produced wind turbines. They utilize site specific topographic maps and political boundary data to evaluate and make...
Curated OER
Tracking Pollution - A Hazardous Whodunit
Students read a story problem about the issue of hazardous waste and pollution in a fictional town. In groups, they create a topographical map and predict how the water might flow and determine the place of contamination. To end the...