Topic: Topographic Maps:  A sense of place

Concept: Reading symbolic information from maps

Skill: Find important information from topographical maps.

Objective: Students will be able to interpret symbols and other important information from topographical maps.

Lesson Activity: (materials needed: 1 topographical map for each 2 students, worksheet with outline of information to find.)

     Start with whole group lesson.  Each pair of students will have a map.  I will write the categories of information that are available from the map in a Venn diagram on the board with input from the students.  Include a discussion of longitude and latitude and placement of the map in the grand scheme of the world.  Introduce map symbols with a handout and on an overhead.  Point out information that is available in the margins of the map.
    In pairs, the students will fill out a worksheet with the appropriate information from their map.  The actual worksheet they will fill out will depend on the available maps.  All of the students can work with the same map, or you can have different maps for each group.  The point is for the students to find specific symbolic information that is available.  For instance:  What scale is the map?; What maps would you need to put this map in a larger context?; What date was the map published?; Find a railroad.  What direction is it running?; Find a swamp.  Write down the latitude and longitude where it is located.; etc., etc.  They will then create a short story based on someone who might live in the location their map represents.  The map and the story will be posted on the wall for the rest of the class to read.

Diagnostic Assessment: What information can the students find from the map in front of them?  List categories on the board.

Formative Assessment: How are the students progressing with interpreting the information available on the map?  Are they able to fill out the worksheet?

Summative Assessment: Creation of a brief story based on information they found on the map.

Grading:  Participation grade as noted in lesson 1.  The worksheet on symbolic information will be turned in to be graded (25 points).  The story will not be graded.  Hopefully the fact that they have to display it will motivate them to do a good job.

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