Lesson

Title/Focus

Contour Maps Lesson 1

Date

Dec. 9, 2015

Group

Grade 4/5

Time
Duratio
n

50 mins

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General
Learning
Outcomes:

5.1 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of

how the physical geography and natural resources of Canada affect
the quality of life of all Canadians.
Specific
5.1.1 value Canadas physical geography and natural environment
Learning
5.1.2 examine, critically, the physical geography of Canada by
Outcomes:
exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
5.1.3 analyze how people in Canada interact with the environment by
exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. Analyze the ways that maps show the shape of the land
2. Identify different map types and mapping techniques
3. Create their own maps out of a landform that they have made

ASSESSMENTS
Observations:

Key Questions:
Products/Performa
nces:

The students were on task throughout the task

The students worked as a group to complete the task efficiently
The students understood what they were viewing when they looked at it
from the top view
How can a map show the elevation of the land and shape what we are
seeing
Hill is built correctly
Mapping activity may have begun

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

Alberta Education Program of Studies

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

SMART board
presentation
Plastacine
Popsicle sticks
Markers
Ice cream buckets

Yarn
Map examples
Mapping
worksheets
Bins

PROCEDURE
Prior to lesson

Set up SMART board presentation. Have 6 bins each containing a

popsicle stick, a marker, an ice cream bucket for water, plastacine.
Have worksheets printed for those who finish early.
Introduction
Time
Maps allow us to see what the land looks like from a top down
view but how can we get a better idea of how the land will
look from the ground?
12:4012:47
Has anyone heard of a special type of map called a contour
map?
- If no, explain that it is a type of map that shows what the
land might look like from a side on view
Body
Time

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe

Learning Activity
#1

Show a couple examples of contour maps from the SMART

presentation
Show how they look from above and then as a side on view
Go back to a previous example and have a student who seems
to understand well come up and identify the steepest and
least steep slopes on the mountain.
Now have a student who may be struggling with the
information come up an try the same with a different
example. Refer back to the previous students work if they
need assistance.

12:4712:55

Reflection Notes

Learning Activity
#2

Introduce activity
Assign jobs for group members 1-5
1: will make a measuring stick out of a popsicle stick
and attach it to the bin
o Show how to do this on the document viewer
2: will be building hills out of plastacine
3: Fill with water until the first line on the measuring
stick
4: Mark around the hill using a toothpick to show
contour line
3 will then fill with water to the next line and repeat
until the top of the hill is measured
5: Take yarn and wrap it around the markings of the
toothpick
If a group only has 4 the number 1 will take the
number 5 job

12:551:15

Map out landform

Have group members look from above and draw the
contour map
Each student should have their own map

1:15-1:25

Reflection Notes

Learning Activity
#3

Reflection Notes

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe

Closure
Have 3 place all materials in the bin together in back of the
room where they got them from
Reconnect their hills with the mountains and hills seen in the
presentation
Tell them that tomorrow they will be able exchanging maps in
order to try drawing each others hills without actually seeing
the hill

Time

1:25-1:30

When everyone is settled back in their desk and all materials

are away the quietest group will then line up for gym. Follow
this having quietest line up until all are lined up quietly

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe