Maps are frequently used to depict the Earth's surface. Maps are used for various purposes, including illustrating roads, land use, topography, or the shape of the land. On the other hand, a map is a flat representation of a surface that is not flat in the details of mountains or the general shape of a sphere. Thus, the map's symbols must enable the user to interpret the map as necessary.
Understanding contour lines and visualising the lay of the land from contour lines on a map is a critical skill in route planning. Underestimating a contour interval or its density can be a dangerous mistake and a difficult lesson to learn! This enjoyable exercise helped students patrol learn how to read and visualise contours and slopes.
Grade 6 students were asked to divide the potatoes in half—Mark 1cm intervals around the potato with dots. Assemble the squiggles to form. Repeat their step, measuring 1cm intervals from their first contour until reaching the potato's summit. Trace the potato's base on a piece of paper. Draw each contour line as a 2D depiction of the potato, looking down on it from above.
Examine the potato's and their 2D drawing's slopes and answer the following questions?
1. If the potato was a mountain, how would they attack it? Which way would they go?
2. What do the contour lines represent?
3. If each contour line represented 1000 feet in elevation, how high would potato peak be?
4. What other three-dimensional landform besides a mountain might be represented by concentric circles?
5. To find areas on the topographic map that are similar to potato peak
6. To compare and contrast potato peaks and the areas on the topographic map.
7. Who would use topographic maps and especially the contour lines on the map?
8. What does it mean when contour lines on a map are very close together? Far apart?
School - Garodia International Centre for Learning in Mumbai, GICLM
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