Tasa Topographic Maps Lesson Plan


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Introduction To Topographic Map Activities Program Navigation Worksheet Regular Level: 7th - 9th grade *These activities were created as supplemental material for the Introduction to Topographic Maps* CD-ROM.**

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Directions As you progress through each chapter in the Introduction to Topographic Maps CD-ROM, answer the questions and complete the exercises. Double click on the hard drive icon. Double click on the folder marked “Topo map.” Double click on the TASA icon and that will bring you to the buttons used to run the programs. Note which buttons move you forward, backward, and back to the Main menu. Double click on the word “INTRODUCTION” and answer the questions. REMEMBER: Not all frames have questions. Look for the exact wording to find the right answer.
A.	Click on "Introduction" and answer questions 1-5.
1. What is an aerial view? ___________________________________________________________ 2. What is the purpose of a topographic map? ___________________________________________________________ 3 . Earth scientists use topographic maps to determine four things
a. ____________________________________________________ b. ____________________________________________________ c. ____________________________________________________ d. ____________________________________________________
4. Who produces topographic maps in the United States? ___________________________________________________________ 5. Approximately when were topographic maps first created? ___________________________________________________________
B.	Return to the main menu after answering question 5. Click on "Map Scale" and answer questions 6-9.
6. What is the purpose of a map scale? ___________________________________________________________ 7. Where is the map scale located on a topographic map? ___________________________________________________________ 8. What are two ways that are used to express map scales? ___________________________________________________________ 9. Answer the four sample questions on map scale.
a. ____________________________________________________ b. ____________________________________________________ c. ____________________________________________________ d. ____________________________________________________
C.	Return to the main menu after answering question 9. Click on "Latitude and Longitude" and answer questions 10-18.
10. What are two methods used on topographic maps to indicate locations? ___________________________________________________________ 11. Define latitude and explain how it is measured. ___________________________________________________________ 12. 0 degrees latitude is located where? ___________________________________________________________ 13. 90 North degrees latitude is located where? ___________________________________________________________ 14. Lines of latitude are also called? ___________________________________________________________ 15. Define longitude and explain how it is measured. ___________________________________________________________ 16. 0 degrees longitude is called? ___________________________________________________________ 17. Longitude lines are also called? ___________________________________________________________ 18. Longitude is measured in degrees and also smaller measurements of minutes (') and seconds ("). What is the exact location of Paris in degrees, minutes, and seconds? ___________________________________________________________
D.	Return to the main menu after answering question 18. Click on "Principles of Contour Lines" and answer questions 19-27.
19. Define topography. ___________________________________________________________ 20. Most topographic map reference plane is usually general mean ___________________________________________________________. 21. What is a contour line? ___________________________________________________________ 22. Define datum. ___________________________________________________________
REVIEW THE SEVEN RULES USING CONTOUR LINES. THESE RULES WILL BE USED TO CREATE YOUR OWN TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS.
23. What is a contour interval? ___________________________________________________________ 24. What is an index contour? ___________________________________________________________ 25. What do the initials B.M. mean in reference to topographic maps? ___________________________________________________________ 26. Answer the two sample questions.
a. ____________________________________________________ b. ____________________________________________________
27. In addition to indicating elevation, contour lines can be used to determine the directions of _________________________ and _________________________ flow.
E.	Return to the main menu after answering question 27. Click on "Using Contour Lines" and answer questions 28-33.
28. List three important uses of contour lines.
a. ____________________________________________________ b. ____________________________________________________ c. ____________________________________________________
PRACTICE DETERMINING CONTOUR INTERVALS AND ELEVATION.
29. What is a relief? ___________________________________________________________ 30. What is the total relief? ___________________________________________________________ 31. What is local relief? ___________________________________________________________ 32. What is the slope? ___________________________________________________________ 33. Answer sample questions on local relief. Look for the exact wording in "Using Contour Lines."
a. Choosing from the answers provided below, indicate the contour interval used for this map by dragging the correct answer to the box provided. ____________________________________________________ b. Now, indicate the correct elevation for points A, B, C, and D by dragging the correct answers to the boxes provided. A.__________ B.__________ C.__________ D.__________ c. What is the local relief between the top of Mt. Carlos and the benchmark (BM) located in the northwest corner of this map? ____________________________________________________ d. What is the slope per mile for slope B? ____________________________________________________
F.	Return to the main menu after answering question 33. Click on "Topographic Profile" and answer question 34.
34. Define topographic profile. ___________________________________________________________
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON DRAWING A PROFILE MAP AND COMPLETE AN EXAMPLE.
G.	Return to the main menu after answering question 34. Click on "Drawing a Contour Map" and practice drawing a simple contour map. Note: If you have extra time, draw more complex maps.
H.	Return to the main menu after drawing a contour map. Click on “Review” and test what you have learned.
I.	For further information, return to the main menu, click on "For Your Information" and go through questions 1-9.
IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH DEFINITIONS, GO TO "GLOSSARY" FOR HELP.
©Judy Richeson 7/24/01
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Introduction To Topographic Map Activities Program Navigation Worksheet Regular Level: 7th - 9th grade

Introduction To Topographic Map Activities
Program Navigation Worksheet
Regular Level: 7th - 9th grade