Northshore
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 SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARDS
G-1A-M1 identifying and describing the characteristics, functions, and applications of various types of maps and other
geographic representations, tools and technologies
G-2A-M2 interpreting and developing maps, globes, graphs, charts, models, and databases to analyze spatial distributions
and patterns
G-1B-M2 identifying and describing significant physical features that have influenced historical events
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: 1995 Aerial Photograph, New Orleans, Louisiana
1982 1:24,000 Topographic Map, New Orleans East
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?
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 New Orleans East 1:24,000 topographic map:
Locate a school
Locate a railroad
Locate a cemetery
Using the 1:24,000 New Orleans East topographic map:
Find the scale in feet
Find "0" on the scale. Why is there 1000 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 the Loyola. University to Lee Circle in downtown New Orleans.
What is the straight line distance?
What is the distance following St. Charles Avenue?
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.
Object Location
Superdome Near center of map
Oil Storage tanks Southeast quadrant of map on the West Bank
French Quarter Center, East edge of map
(Vieux Carre)
Section 2: On the 1995 Aerial Photograph
1. Locate the Huey R Long Bridge
2. Locate Audubon Park
3. Locate some marsh
Section 3: On the 1995 Aerial Photograph
1. Note the ferry crossing the river at the foot of Canal Street.
2. How many barges are in the "tow" going under the Greater New Orleans Bridge?
3. How many large ships can you count in the river?
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 an objects.
2. If the materials have been laminated, students may label the objects or places in Sections 1- 2 using a washable 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