Pass out worksheets with different continental borders printed on them. For reference points, include markings to notate major cities in the content. Underneath the map, provide a topographical description of the continent, including reference data to the cities that are labeled. Ask students to use colored pencils or markers to shade in an interpretation of the topographical layout. Provide students with rulers and a distance key so they can accurately estimate the location of topographic features. When finished, students will compare their maps to see the different ways they represented the topographical description.
Topographical symbols are used to clearly indicate any physical structure or feature, such as a mountain or bridge. Provide students with a list of common topographical symbols used in professional maps. For practice, have students add these symbols to the maps they colored. Students then create their own topographical symbols for various features of the classroom, such as desks, bookshelves and windows. When finished, let students volunteer to draw their favorite symbols on the board. Seeing multiple interpretations will help students understand the conceptual function of topographic symbols.
On a blank sheet of paper, have students draw an aerial-view border of the classroom. Provide students with rulers to measure the dimensions of the full-scale classroom so they can use these measurements to draw an accurate representation, as well as to calculate the scale of their maps. Have students use their own topographical symbols to add the interior features of the classroom to their maps. Encourage students to be as accurate as possible by considering the scale of their maps.
Choose an outdoor location that features elevation changes, such as a hilly area or playground. Divide students into partners and provide them with tape measures so that they can measure the height of certain objects. Advanced students can use triangulation methods to calculate exact heights. Otherwise, ask students to estimate the heights of objects they can't directly measure, such as hills and buildings. With the information gathered, the students then create a map of the outdoor area, including topographical symbols and elevation shading. This experiment will help students grasp the complexity of creating a large-scale topographical map.