Finders Keepers
San Jose

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 were 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.

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: 2003 Aerial Photograph, San Jose, Costa Rica
• 1:25,000 scale Abra IGN Topographic Quadrangle (original scale 1:50,000)
• Magnifying glass
• Topographic symbols chart
• String
  

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 IGN Topographic Quadrangle:
Blue colored features represent?
Green colored features represent?
Black colored features represent?
Brown 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 1:25,000 scale Abra IGN Topographic Quadrangle
Locate a railroad.
Locate a benchmark.
Locate a cemetery.
Locate a school.
Locate a plaza.

Using the 1:25,000 scale Abra IGN Topographic Quadrangle, find the scale in meters.
Using the edge of a piece of paper, determine the distance in meters from the Plaza in Barreal to the Estadio in the Sabana.

What is the straight line distance in meters? __________________________

Using a piece of sting, determine the distance in meters to drive in a car from the Plaza in Barreal to the Estadio in the Sabana.

What is the driving distance in meters? ___________________________

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

Object Location
Aeropuerto Tobias Bolados east center
Estadio southeast quadrant
Cemeterie southeast of Sabana
Nacional Center for Alta center
Tecnologia

Section 2: On the 2003 Aerial Photograph, San Jose, Costa Rica
a. Which of the quarries along the Rio Virillo are active?
b. Locate the Ferrocarril de Costa Rica.
c. What time of day was the aerial photograph taken?
d. Identify urban development between 1989 and 2003.

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.