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Topographic Maps Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of topographic maps.
All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Topographic Maps 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Topographic Maps Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Topographic Maps 5E Lesson, students will be able to interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering.

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The Topographic Maps Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will learn the concepts of topographic maps by using playdough or clay to make models of topographic maps, they will also learn how to read contour lines to determine how erosional features such as waterfalls, rivers, and runoff have impacted the land over time.

The Topographic Maps Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

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The Topographic Maps Sub Plan is a complete lesson that takes students through a warm-up, reading passage, independent activity, extension activities, and an assessment.

The worksheets are designed to make your sub day a breeze for you, your students, and the substitute teacher. They are also perfect for distance learning.

distance-learning Distance-Learning Ready

Topographic Maps Classroom Experiences

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about topographic maps. All of the following experiences are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Escape Rooms

The Topographic Maps escape room is an immersive experience for you students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of elevation, topographic maps, contour lines, and contour intervals in a fun and engaging way.

Students must use what they have learned to interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering to complete the escape room.

STEM CHALLENGES

The Project Topo Expo STEM Challenge uses the engineering design process to create a topographic map of a local landform.

Students will be using collaborative skills such as brainstorming with their peers and reflecting on their progress during the project.

At the end of the Project Topo Expo STEM challenge, students are given an opportunity to share their projects outside of the classroom.


Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the topographic maps unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • How are topographic maps interpreted?
  • How do satellite views identify land and erosional features?
  • How can changes caused by weathering be predicted?
Standards
  • MS ESS2-2 - Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales
  • TEKS Science 8.9 C - Interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.