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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapmaking: Colorado Quarter Reverse

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the Colorado quarter reverse and draw symbols of the state's land and water features on maps. Using copies of the Colorado reverse, they color the coin design. They list reasons for the state's motto of "Colorful Colorado"
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom and Dignity Project

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use maps to "recreate" important battles of the Revolutionary war. Students research these battles, focusing on how topography played a role in the victory or defeat of the American army. A field trip may also be used as an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

River Study

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study physical features of a local stream. They study how to identify water features on topographic maps.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running Water/Rivers-Life Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explore the parts of a river system and use topographical maps to determine the stage of the river.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Geography and Topography

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders recognize the major regions of the US while reading a map. Students study the physical features of the US. Student research and report on states and their capitols.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Longitude and Latitude on Pennsylvania Maps

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students draw the lines of longitude and latitude on a map. Students look at a topographical maps to see how topography relates to land use.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Excursion: Cover Mapping Land

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students study remotely sensed images and topographic maps to classify land cover types in their watershed area. They take samples in the watershed area to interpret the images.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Silk Roads Big Map

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Learners generate oversized rendition of the Silk Roads from Europe to East Asia, apply elements such as political and topographic features, the Silk Roads, products of the regions, and the routes of key travelers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Safari

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders gain an appreciation for the different cultures that inhabit the Earth by focusing on the people of Africa
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eBook
Country Studies US

Country Studies: Afghanistan: Mountains

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting discussion of the mountain ranges in Afghanistan. There is information about the meanings of the names, the various roads and passes through the mountains, and some mention of vegetation in the mountains. From Library of...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Career Profile: Geographer

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the career of a geographer, a social scientist that uses knowledge of climate, culture, and topography to address a whole host of problems the world faces. Find out the educational requirements and what the job entails in...
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Website
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Discover Our Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Study earthquakes, volcanoes, topography, plate tectonics, and sea level change using graphs, maps, and movies. Engage in earth science knowledge discovery, critically evaluate the data and results, and reach conclusions about the earth...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigate Topography Caused by Glacial Lake Agassiz & Glacial Riv Warren

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this field investigation middle schoolers will travel to Bonanza Educational center located on Big Stone Lake. The students will hike up the prairie where they will sit and sketch the topography of the land. The middle schoolers will...
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Handout
Other

Photo.net: Costa Rica: The Land

For Students 9th - 10th
A geographic and topographical exploration of Costa Rica which covers all of the regions of the country.
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Website
US Geological Survey

United States Geological Survey: Topographic Maps

For Students 9th - 10th
"Note: The information on this page is being retained for technical and historical reference only. The site is not under active maintenance and may include expired information and outdated links." This site gives an overview of the...
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Weather and Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
In this amazingly comprehensive interactive tutorial you will learn how factors such as ocean currents, topography, and air currents affect weather patterns. You will also learn the similarities and differences between weather and climate.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Can You Catch the Water?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students construct a three-dimensional model of a water catchment basin using everyday objects to create hills, mountains, valleys and water sources. They experiment to see where rain travels and collects, and survey water pathways to...
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Website
Texas A&M University

Ocean World: Bringing the Ocean to the Classroom

For Students 9th - 10th
Online resource for students and teachers to see information on icebergs, fisheries, coral reefs, waves, currents and more. Provides teachers with learning activities. Has its own ask-an-expert site (Ask Dr. Bob), and provides real-time...
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Website
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey

For Students 9th - 10th
The U.S. Geological Survey reports on the latest news affecting the earth today, as well as providing a wealth of data, reports, and information.
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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.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Visualizing Topography

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the topography of a hill, a valley, and a cliff in this interactive activity featuring visualizations of three-dimensional topography in two dimensions. Adapted from Stephen Reynolds' "Visualizing Topography."
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: The Science of Puddles

For Teachers K - 1st
Students will look at their schoolyard and determine where a puddle will form after a heavy rain. They will map the school yard and draw chalk lines to demonstrate their predictions. After a rain children will check their predictions and...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating How Terrain and Watersheds Are Connected

For Teachers 6th - 8th
For this lab, students will investigate the topography of a watershed and determine how it may affect physical stream parameters focusing on how terrain and water systems are connected.