Topographic maps show not only locations, but elevation levels of those locations. They are useful tools in providing information about heights in relation to distances. Topographical map activities help students learn topography, understand more about elevations and enhance map reading skills.
Using Topographical Maps
Teachers can get hold of topographical maps printed by the USGS. Teachers should provide each student with one or a copy of one. Then, as a class, teachers can go through the directions, the scales and the way that elevations are shown on these maps. Students should then work in groups to identify and locate various features on the maps that they have been given. Teachers who wish to create a fun atmosphere can turn this into a game for groups of students. Some examples of game or review questions might include finding the highest point in a specific country or region, or finding the lowest valley that is nearest to where they live. Going through the maps as a class and having students answer questions in groups will help students to become familiar with topographical maps.
Map Creation
Many topographic maps show differences in elevation by color coding areas on the map. Give students a blank map of a country or region. Students should look up various elevations on the Internet, and color-code the map in correlation. Students can use online atlases or offline sources like atlases and globes to gather information, and can create their own color-coding system based on the facts that they find.
Many students have trouble correlating various colors with different elevations. Give students a blank map of a country or location and have them research the various elevation points. Students can then use clay to create mountains, peaks and plateaus, depending on the research that they find. This activity can be tailored to students' ages. Very young students can create mountains and valleys in a general fashion---putting mountains where they are located. Older students can have more specific requirements, such as the correct number of mountain peaks and a height scale that corresponds to the actual elevation points.
Floor-Size Maps
Students and teachers can work together to create larger topographic maps. Draw out the country or region on a piece of paper or another surface that is the size of the floor area in which you have to work. Research elevations of the area in question. Using your creativity and the creative ideas of the students, create a topographic map. You can use found items, like carpets, chairs, bean bags and even desks to simulate the various elevations of the locations.
Tags: country region, that they, blank country, create mountains, elevation points, Give students, Give students blank
