Interpretation of Landforms

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Interpretation of Landforms
Teacher Guide
Students learn basic topographic map landform
reading skills through an interactive Powerpoint
slideshow. Questions related to topographic map
features are presented and students must be able
to read the maps for answers. Interpretation of
contours to determine landscape profiles are also
examined.
Overview
Standards
Grade 8 Standards
P4.2
Oklahoma PASS Objectives
High School Physical Science Standards
P4.2, P4.8
Science Content Standards
National Science Education Standards
Content Standard D Earths history
Middle School. Can be modified with additional
questions for higher levels.
Grade Level
This is a non-GIS based activity.
GIS Skill Level
Students should be familiar with general concepts
of topographic maps and symbols.
Other Skills
Should be completed in one 45-minute class.
Time
This activity can be modified for features in
other areas of the country if alternative data
sources are available.
Teacher Note
Interpretation of Landforms
Teacher Guide 1
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Interpretation of Landforms
Teacher Guide
Materials
This is not a GIS activity. Students will need
computers loaded with Microsoft Office Powerpoint
or a compatible program able to display the
slideshow. If desired, hard copies of
topographic maps can be substituted for the
topographic profile portions.
Sources

• Glendale Community College www.gc.maricopa.edu/e
  arthsci/imagearchive/
• Stan Celestian Online Course Documents
  Powerpoint

Lesson Preparation
The activity is based on a Powerpoint-based
lesson developed at Glendale (AZ) Community
College. The original program was modified to
8th Grade concept and level. Students follow the
slideshow on their own computers and answer
questions on the attached sheets. Topographic
profiles are created based on maps in the
slideshow. Additional profiles can be made from
locally available quad sheets.
Adapted by Steve OConnell geographilia_at_hotmail.co
m
Interpretation of Landforms
Teacher Guide 2
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Interpretation of Landforms
A map is a fountain of information. It can tell
you important things about what is at a location
and what it looks like. But to be able to know
those things, you must be able to interpret the
symbols on the map itself. Once you know what to
look for on a map you will have a better sense of
what a place looks like in real life.
In this activity, you will learn how to examine a
topographic map to reveal information about the
landscape. You will utilize an interactive
presentation in Powerpoint to answer questions
related to maps from several parts of the
country. You will also learn how to create a
visual profile of a landscape using the
information on a topographic map.
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Landform Interpretation with Topographic Maps
Brownsville, Texas
1. What type of feature is Fort Brown
Resaca? 2. What cycle of stream
evolution is the Rio Grande River displaying?
3. Why is this river a poor choice for a
boundary? Salt River Canyon, Arizona
4. What is the cycle of stream erosion of
the Salt River in this area?
Complete the profile for Promontory Butte,
Arizona, on the provided sheet.
Complete the profile for Cumberland,
Pennsylvania/Maryland, on the provided sheet.
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
5. Why arent the depressions full of
water?
Lake Wales, Florida
6. Which way does the groundwater flow in
this area?
Interpretation of Landforms
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Draw the profile on the sheet provided. The next
slide goes through the process. READY ? ()
Using every INDEX CONTOUR 100 foot interval
()