It's About Time
Volcanic Landforms
Did you know the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan? During this activity, scholars make a topographic map, interpret topographic maps, and infer how lava will flow based on their analysis.
Polar Trec
Playground Profiling—Topographic Profile Mapping
The Kuril islands stretch from Japan to Russia, and the ongoing dispute about their jurisdiction prevents many scientific research studies. Scholars learn to create a topographic profile of a specific area around their schools. Then they...
Curated OER
Principles of Flight: Where are We?
Young scholars explore the concept of topographical maps. In this topographical map lesson, students discuss how airplanes know where to fly. Young scholars use topographical maps to simulate a field trip on the computer.
Curated OER
Slope and Topographic Maps
Students investigate slopes as they study topographic maps. In this algebra lesson, students discuss and apply the concept of slopes to graphing and analyzing data.
Curated OER
Topo Map Mania!
Seventh graders describe the major features of maps and compasses. They read a topographical map. They take a bearing using a compass. They practice using scales on a map.
Smithsonian Institution
Borders with the World: Mexican-American War and U.S. Southern Borderlands
The Mexican-American War created social borders—not just physical ones. Scholars learn about the effects of the Mexican-American War on the people living in the borderlands using text excerpts, maps, and partnered activities. Academics...
Curated OER
What do Maps Show?
Seventh graders practice reading maps. In this geography instructional activity, 7th graders compare a topographical map to a picture of the actual place.
Curated OER
Welcome to My World!
Students use maps to locate information. They read the story, "It Looked Like Spilt Milk", view images of the continents and discuss the various continents. Afterward, they make their own Atlas to record information that they can later...
Curated OER
Topography: Know the topography of your neighborhood
Students read and identify features on a topography map. In 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.
Curated OER
America the Beautiful
Sixth graders examine the meaning and background of the song, "America the Beautiful." In this "America the Beautiful" activity, 6th graders read the words and history of the song and answer comprehension questions about it.
Curated OER
What's Its Slope
Students identify the slope of a lines.For this algebra lesson, students define the meaning of slope and write an equation given the slope. They graph linear functions using the slope and y-intercept.