Mono Lake

TITLE: Finders Keepers!

OVERVIEW: This introductory activity is used to familiarize learners with the information found on Aerial Photographs and Topographic Maps. A variety of objects and locations was selected to introduce the use of different styles and symbols.

SUBJECT AREA: Geography

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School

OBJECTIVES: 

            To introduce topographic maps and the representative colors and symbols used.

            To provide exposure to the skills of aerial photographic interpretation.

STANDARDS:

        National Geography Standards

                Essential Element 1.  The World in Spatial Terms

                                        Standard 1:   How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective.

                                        Standard 3:   How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth’s surface.

                Essential Element 3.  Physical Systems

                Standard 1:    The physical processes that shape the pattern of Earth’s surface.

LOUISIANA SOCIAL STUDIES CONTENT STANDARDS:

            G-2A-M2 interpreting and developing maps, globes, graphs, charts, models, and databases to analyze spatial distributions and patterns

            G-1B-M3 identifying criteria used to define regions and explaining how and why regions change            

            G-1D-M1 analyzing and evaluating the effects of human actions upon physical environments

LOUISIANA SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARDS:

            SI-M-A4   developing descriptions, explanations and graphs using data

            SE-M-A4   understanding and evaluating the effects of human actions upon physical environments

CROSS CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:

            Mathematics: Comparing scale

            Language Arts: Communication

            Art: Development of pattern recognition

            Earth Science: Identification of surface features and processes

TIME: Teacher: 30 minutes for preparation of material packets

            Class time: one 50 minute class

MATERIALS: 

            Student:      1997 Aerial Photograph, Lancaster, California

1954/74 1:24,000 Topographic Map, Lancaster West

Magnifying glass

Topographic symbols chart

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE:

As the students receive the materials packet, encourage group exploration and quick comparisons.  Simple discussion questions should be used to have the students notice the use of colors, symbols, and labeling techniques.  Use sections  1, 2, and 3 for this.

Introduction to color, symbols, and scale:   Ask the following discussion questions and have the students identify and locate  topographic symbols.

Using the topographic symbols chart and the topographic map:

            Blue colored features represent?

            Green colored features represent?

            Black colored features represent?

            Brown colored features represent?

            Purple colored features represent?

Using the topographic symbols chart:

            Identify the symbol for marsh.

            Identify symbol for a power line.

            Identify symbol for a school.

            Identify symbol for a dual highway with median.

On the Lancaster West 1:24,000 topographic map

            Locate a school.

            Locate a railroad.

            Locate a cemetery.

Using the 1:24,000 scale Lancaster West Topographic Quadrangle

            Find the scale in feet.

                                 Find "0" on the scale.  Why are there 1,000 feet to the left and 1000 feet to the right of "0"?

  Using the edge of a piece of paper, determine the distance in feet from Antelope College to the high school.

What is the straight line distance? _____________________________________________

What is the distance by boat? ________________________________________________

Section 1: Given the table below, first find the object listed on the topographic map and then locate the identified site on the aerial photograph.

Section 2:  On the 1997 Aerial Photograph:

1.      Locate bright red area in bottem center.

2.      Locate Palmdale Airport.

3.      Locate the Detention Center.

Section 3:  On the 1997 Aerial Photograph:

1.    Find the area of the original town of Lancaster

2.    Note the expansion of Lancaster since 1974.

ASSESSMENT:

            1.   The instructor will circulate throughout the room questioning each group to establish student mastery of the materials and to troubleshoot and direct student attention to features and objects.

            2.   If the materials have been laminated, students may label the objects or places in   Sections 1- 2 using a washable or erasable   marker.

            3.   Student journal entries on the objectives of the activity.

            4.   After completing the search and locate tasks provided in Sections 1- 3, the student or cooperative group may select other objects or sites to develop peer quizzes.

EXPLORATIONS MAY INCLUDE:

                     Packets of local topographic maps and aerial photographs for the students to identify known and unknown sites.

                     Student construction of a school topographic map completed to scale and properly oriented.

INTERNET SITES:            

            http:// evlweb.eecs.uic.edu/pape/vrml/etopo

            http:// www_nmd.usgs.gov