How to Teach Topographic Maps
Topographic or topo maps have guided us and have helped us navigate since the first map was created by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1879. Topo maps differ from road maps by the presence of contour lines which show elevation for an area. They provide information about natural features such as streams as well as manmade features such as landing strips and schools. Today's maps have come a long way from the hand-drawn maps that early settlers used. The U.S. Geological Survey, like all federal agencies, abides by the National Map Accuracy Standards first issued in 1941.
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Instructions
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Obtain a topographic map. Maps can be purchased on the U.S. Geological Survey website. Use of a local map is recommended so that recognizable features can be identified. This will also help students make associations between the map symbology and the physical environment.
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Review the layout of the map. Note the title of the map. While the name may be familiar, explain to students that maps may be titled based on geological or geographical features with which they may not be familiar. Point out the map names found on the corners as indications of adjacent maps.
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Draw the students' attention to the numbering convention along the sides of the map. The lines going left to right identify the longitude, whereas the lines going from the top to bottom show the latitude.
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Point out the scale of the map. The most common map uses a 1:24,000-scale. Explain to students that 1 inch on the map translates to 24,000 inches on the ground. Using this information, students can calculate distances between land features.
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Explain the purpose of the contour lines. Contour lines connect areas of similar elevation, providing a two-dimensional view of a three-dimensional world. Note that the closer the lines appear, the steeper the elevation. For clarity, locate some known points on the map.
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Draw attention to the magnetic declination found in the lower left hand corner of the topographic map. This figure represents the difference between true north and magnetic north. Magnetic declination improves the accuracy of the map and accounts for variations between different places on the globe.
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Refer to the map's town and range lines. This grid system is referred to as the Public Land Survey, developed as a means to identify land ownership.
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Look at the map's symbols. The standard naming convention and symbology allows students to identify land cover and land features even in areas they have not visited. Point out some familiar features and locate the specific symbol which identifies them. Remind students that not every feature will be found on a given map.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a compass with a topographic map in the field to navigate to different features.
Note the date of the topographic map. Be aware that some features may have changed if you are using an older map.
