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CONTOUR MAPPING
This brief overview of contour mapping is designed to give you something to assist
you in explaining contour maps for the Venus Topography Box activity. It consists
of three maps of different difficulties: easy, moderate, and challenging. These
maps may be distributed to the students as classwork or you may just want to use them as tools
for explanation. If you have fairly straight forward topography, then the "easy
map" is a typical example of a finished contour map. If you have something slightly
more interesting, then the "moderate map" will give you good practice. IF, however,
you have a wonderfully complex landscape, the challenging map will really entertain
you! Here are some rules of contouring that should help you; reprinting these for
the students is suggested. Using pencil is a good idea.
1. Always try to start in the middle and work out.
This doesn't mean that every hill will be centered on your map, but look around in
the middle to see if there is a peak or a valley there.
2. Start with a high or low point.
Don't get caught in Rule 1 by thinking that you have to start in the middle, search
for a peak or a valley and work out from there.
3. If you get stuck, look for another spot to start.
When I was making the maps I had to use this rule more than once- all it means is
that sometimes (especially between hills) the topography gets tricky. Look around
and see if there's another place where you can. I guarantee in these maps there
is!
4. 2 is between 1 and 3.
This isn't meant to be a dumb statement, but it sounds like it. Remember when contouring,
you won't always have a point labelled "2" in between points "1" and "3". When you
have a point "1" next to a point "3" then "2" has to fall in between them somewhere.
So sometimes you may have a "3" next to a "6"- then you know that both "4" and
"5" are hidden in between. If you want, you can make extra points on the maps to
guide you, but it gets even more crowded when you do that so I wouldn't recommend
it.
5. Above all, use common sense.
This explains itself- but if you've ever looked at a topographic map, then you know
that some can be very difficult. I hope these won't be too bad.
After you've drawn your contour lines, go ahead and color the maps. The "easy map"
should be straightforward and good for the students to do on their own. The "moderate
map" should be good for working together. The "challenging map" may be fun for students
who are more advanced or have a lot of fun working things out!
+ Return to Lesson Plan List
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