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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What do Maps Show: How to Read a Topographic Map

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the characteristics of topographical maps. Using examples, they practice reading them and describing the information they gather from them. They also discover how to use the website from the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Do Maps Show?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This teaching packet is for grades five through eight, and it is organized around geographic themes: location, place, relationships, movement, and regions. There are four full lessons that are complete with posters, weblinks, and...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Student Exploration: Building Topographic Maps

For Students 4th - 6th
For this earthquake exploration worksheet, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use "Building Topographic Maps Gizmo" to conduct several activities, completing short answer questions when finished.
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Lesson Plan
Academy of American Poets

Teach This Poem: "Maps" by Yesenia Montilla

For Teachers 6th - 12th
After examining a physical map of the world, learners conduct a close reading of Yesenia Montilla's poem "Maps." They note the interesting words and phrases, the way the poem is structured, and list questions they might have. After...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Denali Park Topographic Maps

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct a topographic map of the Denali National Park. They identify different elevations and record historic landmarks in student science journals.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Watersheds with Topographic Maps

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers model a watershed and delineate one using topographic maps. In this hydrology lesson, students use aluminum foil to model a landscape and observe how water moves on it. They also observe the features of a topographic map...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Creating a Topographic Map

For Students 6th - 8th
For this topographic map worksheet, students add contour lines to a topographic map using instructions provided. Once topographic map is finished, students complete 2 follow-up short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!

For Teachers K - 1st
Here is a well-designed, very thorough lesson plan on mapping for very young children. Within the six-page plan, you will find everything you need to implement the lesson. They will identify various landforms found in Colorado on a map,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We're on the Map!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify a variety of topographic map symbols. They make generalizations about an unidentified community by reading and interpreting map symbols.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geographic Regions and Backyard Geology with the USGS Tapestry Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A beautiful tapestry map of North America is examined by geology masters. The map incorporates the topography and geology of different regions. You can purchase printed copies or a large poster of the map, or if you have a computer lab...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3-D Topographic Maps

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students create a 3-D topographic map.  In this map building lesson, students use cardboard to create a topographic map of the Catskills mountain region.
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Activity
K-State Research and Extensions

Water

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How are maps like fish? They both have scales. The chapter includes six different activities at three different levels. Scholars complete activities using natural resources, learn how to read a map, see how to make a compass rosette,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Play Doh Map of Your State

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students create a state map using Playdoh. In this hands-on state geography activity, students work in groups to form a three-dimensional  map of their state using Playdoh made at home following a (given) recipe. Students use four colors...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Potato Mountain": Reading/Understanding Topographic Maps

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate how to read topographic maps.  In this map reading lesson plan students complete a topographic map activity. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Topo Maps

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explain and interpret topographic maps.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planning A Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use topographical maps students explain the challenges involved in building the railroad in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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 would...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Edible Maps

For Teachers 1st
First graders, in groups, identify major geographical features of Texas. They form a topographical map of Texas using edible dough, candy, etc. They present and then eat their maps.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fantasy / Art Maps

For Teachers 9th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orienteering - Lesson 1 - Maps & Map Scales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Lesson 1 of 10 lessons in this orienteering unit is about maps and map scales. After all, orienteering is all about maps, compasses, and finding ones' way around. It is imperative to be able to read maps and understand the relevance of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Your State: Regions of Arizona

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders define vocabulary and locate physical features on maps.  In this mapping lesson, 4th graders explore regions of Arizona through landforms found on topographic maps.  Students research the history and culture of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Arizona's Biotic Communities Lesson 1: Mapping Biotic Communities

For Teachers 6th - 10th
As part of a unit on Arizona's biotic communities, young ecology learners create a map. They describe how humans and animals adapt in their habitat. They take notes and create graphic organizers from articles they read. Beautiful maps,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Regents High School Examination: Physical Setting Earth Science 2010

For Students 9th - 12th
Every topic under the sun is covered in this New York State Regents High School Examination. With the focus of earth science, participants answer 85 quesitons about the solar system, geologic time, rocks and minerals, landforms, and...