Finders Keepers
Bisbee, Arizona

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.

 

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:     1996 Aerial Photograph, Lancaster, California
                            1978 1:24,000  USGS Topographic Map, Bisbee
                             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 Bisbee 1:24,000 topographic map

Locate a mine tunnel.

Locate a mine shaft or prospect.

Locate a tailing pond.

Locate a tailing dump.

 

Using the 1:24,000 Bisbee topographic map

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 the Lincoln School in Bisbee to the Greenway school in Warren.

What is the straight line distance?   ________________________________

What is the distance traveling by car?   ____________________________

 

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
Lavender Pit Northeast quadrant of map
The towns of Bisbee, Lowell,
Saginaw, Galena, Bakersville,
Warren, South Bisbee, Tintown

Section 2:    On the 1996 Aerial Photograph:

1.             Mine Tailings

                         2.             Settling Ponds

                         3.             Forested Area

 Section 3:    Using the 1996 Aerial Photography and the topographic map:

1.      Are there any features are seen in 1996 that were not there in 1978?

2.      Can you find any features that were there in 1978 but not there in 1996?

 
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