Topographic Map Symbol Bingo

Introduction

Topographic maps are often used by hikers, campers, hunters and fishermen who need detailed information about a specific outdoor area. A topographic map uses symbols to represent geographical landmarks. Detailed topographic maps have been made for most parts of the country. Learning the symbols of a topographic map allows for a better understanding of the map and will make a trip into the outdoors a meaningful and pleasant experience.

Concepts

• Topographic map
• Map symbols
• Map orientations

Materials

Safety Precautions

Although this activity is considered nonhazardous, please follow all normal laboratory safety guidelines.

Disposal

All materials may be saved for future use.

Prelab Preparation

1. Cut out the Bingo Drawing Cards along the dotted lines on the Bingo Drawing Cards Sheet (see Teacher1 PDF).
2. Make copies of the Topographic Map Symbols Sheet (see Teacher1 PDF) and the Map Symbol Bingo Worksheet (Student PDF) for each student participant.
3. Locate topographic maps for the local area. The best scale to buy is 1:24,000. Topographic maps may be purchased in bookstores, camping and sporting goods stores, or from the closest U.S. Geological Survey office. Students may have topographic maps at home and can bring them to increase the number of maps available for study. Topographic map symbols may vary slightly from map to map.
4. Distribute a Map Symbol Bingo Worksheet and a Topographic Map Symbols Sheet to each student.
5. Review the rules before starting the game.

Procedure

1. Have students examine and study the topographic maps. If it is a map from a local area, locate familiar places and landmarks. How are they represented on a topographic map? How do they compare to a standard map?
2. Students will need to know the information on the Topographic Map Symbols Sheet to play the Map Symbol Bingo game. Ask students to find as many of the symbols as possible on the topographic map.
3. Have students answer the questions on the Map Symbol Bingo Worksheet.
4. Once students are familiar with the topographic map symbols, ask the class to put the Topographic Map Symbols Sheet away in a folder or somewhere out of view.
5. Distribute one Map Symbol Bingo Card and approximately 15 bingo chips to each student.
6. Play Map Symbol Bingo following a standard fashion covering squares as map symbol names are called out (do not show students the picture on the card drawn). Randomly select a drawing card and announce the next potential square to be covered. Note: Do not show students the symbol on the drawing card, simply announce the name.
   1. Cards may be drawn by yourself or by a student volunteer.
   2. Students will check to see whether the symbol is on their bingo card. If it is located, they will cover the square containing the symbol with a red bingo chip.
   3. A “bingo” is constituted by 5 chips in a row. The row may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Some like to play “four corners.” In this case, a chip in each of the four corners counts as a “bingo.”
   4. When checking for a winner, have potential winners read the symbols they have marked aloud—without looking at the Map Symbols Sheet.

Student Worksheet PDF

13974_Student1.pdf

13974_Teacher1.pdf

13974_Teacher2.pdf

Teacher Tips

• Enough materials are provided in this kit for 30 students working individually. The activity can be completed in one class period. Additional class time spent on Map Symbol Bingo might be done for review or just for fun.
• Bingo cards (Teacher2 PDF), Bingo Drawing Cards (before separating) and the Master Bingo Code Sheet may be laminated to increase durability.
• Answers are dependent upon the individual topographic map chosen by the teacher, so answers will vary for all questions.