The Task

In this section, you will work on activities to understand how various landforms can be shown in a topographic map. In order to achieve this, you will form a topographic map from a landform model and learn how to interpret a topographic map.

 

 

The Process

Overview

You are divided into groups of three as instructed by your teacher.

In the first step, after reviewing the basic landforms, you create a landform model as instructed, and draw its cross-sectional profiles. The pictures of the landform model are taken from various perspectives.

In the second step, you learn how three-dimensional landforms are shown in a two-dimensional map.

In the third step, you create a topographic map using the landform model created in the previous step.

In the conclusion activity, you learn rules for reading a topographic map.

In this activity, the following will be included to your portfolio.

• Landform Model Pictures
• Cross-Sectional Profiles of the Landform Model
• Contour Map Picture
• Topography Map Worksheet

 

First Step

Three students will work together using one computer.

• Visit the following site and review the basic landforms. Landforms
• When you finish reviewing, explain the features of the following landforms to your partners.
  • Valleys
  • Plateaus
  • Mountains
  • Plains
  • Hills
  • Loess
  • Glaciers
• Create a landform model with materials provided. In creating the landform model, follow your teacher's instruction given in class. Here is an overview:

Materials Provided

• A clear container
• Two pounds of clay

Instructions

• Each group creates a landform model.
• Build a mountain using the clay.
• One side of the mountain has a gentle slope and the other side has a steep slope.
• The steep slope of the mountain leads into a valley.
• The landform model must fit completely inside the container and not protrude past the top of it.

• After completing the landform model, print the Cross-Sectional Profile Sheet. In the worksheet, fill in your name, and indicate which cross-sectional profile you are working on by filling in the correct oval as shown below. Assume the rectangular shape is the landform model.

Cross-sectional Profile Sheet

 

From which perspective?

 

 

 

• Determine which cross-sectional profile each of you are assigned to draw. (cross-sectional profile 1, 2, and 3).
• Ask your partners to bring the landform model to eye level. Observe closely, and draw the profile. Switch roles.
• When all members have finished their drawings, make two copies of your profile and give them to your partners so that each member obtains the cross-sectional profiles from three different perspectives. Next, cut your partners' profiles and paste them to your own sheet.
• After completing the cross-sectional profile drawing, obtain a Palm One Zire 72 Handheld computer from your teacher. Take pictures of the landform model from 5 different perspectives [four sides and from the top] in order to record the entire image of the landform model. One of these five perspectives must be the one placing your eyes directly above it looking downward. If you have problems with the use of the handheld computer, visit PDA Activity.
• Download the pictures to a school computer and print them out for each member.
• The worksheet and pictures printed out are to be included in your portfolio.

Second Step

Each group works on the following activities using a computer.

In the first step, each group created a landform model, which is three dimensional. Each group member drew a cross-sectional profile from a different perspective, which is two dimensional. Is it possible for a two dimensional map to tell the shape of different landforms?

• First, print out this Topography Map Worksheet for each member.
• Then, visit the following site How Are Landforms Represented on Flat Maps and fill in the worksheet <Step 1> to <Step 3>.

 

Third Step

Each group creates a contour map using the landform model already created. In creating a contour map, print this Third Step Directions for each member and follow your teacher's instruction given in class.

 

Conclusion Activity

Each group uses a computer and completes the rest of the Topography Map Worksheet by visiting How Are Landforms Represented on Flat Maps

 

 

Landform Blog - Student Questionnaire:

A questionnaire is used to evaluate the progress of the students and the curriculum web.

 

The students have access to the blog after each unit so that they are able to voice their likes/dislikes or understanding/confusion as they go through the webquest.

Click on the webpage at the right to access the Landform Blog.When you have finished answering the questions for this section, use your browser back arrow to return to the Relief webpage.

 

 

 

 

Click the Student to go back to index page!