View source for Mapping lesson plans

'''Mapping activity'''

''Materials required''
* printouts of Mt Lemmon map (1 per two students, see below)
* [[File:AZ Mount Lemmon 312494 1996 24000 geo.pdf]] 
* [[ File:AZ Mount Bigelow 312482 1996 24000 geo.pdf ]]
* whiteboard,
* dry erase marker
* compass (1 per 2 students)
* field notebooks + pencils (1 per student)
* cardboard and scissors
* meter tapes (1 per 6 students)

''Outcomes:'' students should be able to
# understand major parts of a map
# interpret contour lines and how they reflect changes in slope and drainage 
# use a compass to orient and navigate

Hand out maps; in pairs, have students identify the following parts of a map:
* Title/Location
* Compass Rose
* Scale Bar
* Contour Lines
* Colors
* Key/Legend

Group questions: why is it important for a map to have these elements? What else could a map have on it that would be useful?

Cardboard demo of contour maps

# Stack different cardboard cutouts to show the different topologies they represent
# Point out lines on the Mt Lemmon map

Questions: which areas are steepest? Least steep? Where would you find a wash/stream? How high up is site X/Y/Z? Which sites are south facing slopes?

Contour map olympics
# Divide group into teams
# Use whiteboard to draw different contour maps (e.g. single hill, slope, double hill, forking river, etc.) in secret
# show to students and award points for fastest correct interpretation by a group.

Compass instruction 
# Give students compasses in pairs.  Introduce magnetic north, 'red fred in the shed', how to hold compass.
# Challenges: walking a bearing with closed eyes (other student looks for branches. Compare with landmark navigation.
# Choose two landmarks and demonstrate triangulation. Make up other sightings (e.g. one peak 30°, another peak 30°W, where are we) and test students (in teams) ability to determine their position.
# Scavenger hunt: each team hides an object (pinecone? hat?) and writes directions to it, pirate-map style, using the compass and # of meters on the tape. Switch instructions between groups and try to find the object.