Geology of Table Rock - 7th - Pre-site Activities 1

Geology of Table Rock - 7th - Pre-site Activity/Teacher Led

Grade Level: 7
Content Area: Science
Time to Complete: 45 minutes
Title of Lesson: Virtual Hike

South Carolina State Standards Addressed:

I.A.1.a.1.	Observe patterns of objects and events.
I.A.1.a.2.	Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative observations.
I.A.1.c.1.	Select and use appropriate tools (metric ruler) and units (km) to measure to the unit required in a particular situation.
I.A.1.d.1.	Make inferences based on observations.
I.A.1.e.1.	Predict the results of actions based on patterns in data and experiences.
III.A.1.c.	Investigate and examine how the Earth's surface is constantly changing by weathering, erosion, deposition and human impact.
III.A.1.d.	Examine the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the formation of major landform regions in South Carolina.
III.A.1.e.	Relate the fertility of floodplains to the deposition of sediments.
III.A.3.b.	Infer what happens to water that does not soak into the ground or evaporate.
III.A.3.c.	Analyze the factors that affect runoff.
III.A.3.d.	Differentiate between drainage divides and drainage basins using maps or aerial photography and illustrate the relationships between groundwater and surface water in a watershed.

Lesson Description:

Students will use a topographic map to trace the hiking route of their upcoming field trip. They will use the map to make observations about the land cover they will encounter, the changes in steepness along the trail, and use the scale to measure the distance they will travel.

Focus Questions for Students:

1.	How is elevation shown on a topographic map?
2.	What symbol is used to depict a trail on a topographic map?
3.	How does a topographic map depict vegetation?
4.	How can you measure distance on a topographic map?

Culminating Assessment:

1.	Determine the distance and elevation change between the top of Table Rock and the parking lot near Pinnacle Lake by using the topographic map.
2.	Using the topographic map as a reference, write a paragraph describing the land cover and steepness changes along different segments of the Table Rock Trail.

Material/Equipment/Resources (Per Group):

Table Rock topographic map	string
calculator	wipe-off pens (2 different colors)
vocabulary list

Teacher Preparation:

1.	Read Background Information.
2.	Be prepared to introduce concepts of contour lines and map scale.
3.	Look over the Table Rock Topographic map to be sure you can locate all the map features mentioned in this activity, and that you can calculate the contour interval of the map and use the graphic scale to estimate the distance between features.

Background Information:

The Table Rock Topographic Map is based on the USGS 7.5 minute series and has a scale of 1:24,000. Map scale is the relationship between the distance measured on a map and the corresponding real distance on the ground. The 7.5 minute topographic maps are considered "large scale" because they show a great amount of detail while covering a smaller land area. When measuring distances on a map, both the fractional and graphic scales at the bottom of the map may be used.
The shape of the earth's surface as portrayed by contours is the distinctive characteristic of any topographic map. The contour interval is dependent on the relief of the landscape. Blue Ridge maps commonly use contour intervals of 40 feet. Both contour intervals and scales are indicated in the legend of most topographic maps.
All USGS maps use standard symbols that are consistent with other maps of that particular series. The importance of color in distinguishing symbols for both manmade and natural features is shown in the following chart.

*Black*	Cultural features such as roads, buildings, and place names
*Blue*	Hydrographic feature such as lakes, rivers, and swamps
*Brown*	Contour lines
*Green*	Forested areas and orchards
*Red*	Major roads and public lands boundaries
*White*	Open areas such as agricultural fields and pasture lands
*Purple*	New features added from aerial photographs during map revision

For more information refer to the background information from the SC MAPS Teaching Manual, 2000 Edition, pages 40-42, or read any upper level earth science textbook.

Procedures:

1.	Arrange students in groups of 3 or 4.
2.	Have students use the Table Rock Topographic Map to locate and mark with a wipe-off pen the following features: Table Rock Mt., Stool Mt., Pinnacle Lake, Saluda River, Oolenoy River, Table Rock Reservoir, Raven Cliff Falls, Pumpkintown, Carrick Creek, and the parking lot near Pinnacle Lake.
3.	Next, use a different color pen to trace the Carrick Creek Trail. (It starts near the Pinnacle Lake parking lot and goes northwest in a lasso shape.)
4.	Which of these features (from item 2) do you think you would see from the Carrick Creek Trail? Explain why some features are visible from the trail and some are not.
5.	Use the contour lines to determine the elevation of the parking lot near Pinnacle Lake.
6.	Use the contour lines to determine the elevation of the highest point on the Carrick Creek Trail.
7.	As a class, discuss the relative elevation changes and land cover along the trail at various points.
8.	Measure the distance of the Carrick Creek Trail with a piece of string. Refer to the scale bar on the map to convert string length to miles and kilometers.
9.	Determine the amount of time you think it would take to walk the entire trail. Keep in mind that at a brisk pace (on flat land) an average person can cover a mile in 16 minutes.
10.	On your field trip your plan is to walk for about an hour. You will take the left (west) fork in the Carrick Creek Trail. How far do you predict you will get on that trail before you have to turn around and return to the parking lot at Pinnacle Lake in order to be back within an hour of your starting time? Mark this location with a dot using a wipe-off pen