CHAPTER 4: LESSON SPECIFICATIONS
COURSE TITLE: RED STAR COURSE
CTS NUMBER:
ENABLING OBJECTIVE AND TEACHING POINTS
MAP AND COMPASS:
405.06
1.
PERFORMANCE — Interpret contour lines.
2.
CONDITIONS:
a.
TRAINING DETAILS
5.
TIME — Two 30 minute periods.
6.
METHOD/APPROACH:
Given — a suitable outdoor area;
— a topographical map; and
— pencil and paper.
b.
Denied — assistance.
3.
STANDARD — The cadet will correctly identify the types of
slopes found, on a map.
a.
lecture;
b.
demonstration; and
c.
performance.
7.
SUBSTANTIATION — To become proficient in map reading,
the cadet must be able to visualise the shape of the ground from a
map.
8.
4.
A-CR-CCP-116/PC-001
REFERENCES —
TEACHING POINTS:
4-43/4-44
a.
relief;
b.
contour lines;
c.
contour intervals;
d.
shape of the ground;
e.
types of slope:
convex;
(2)
concave;
(3)
uniform; and
(4)
spur and re-entrants.
Cadet Reference Book (pages 5-26 to 5-29);
b.
A-CR-CCP-111/PT-001 (pages 5-17);
c.
B-GL-382-005/PF-001 (arts 501-505, 511); and
d.
Master Lesson Plan.
9.
TRAINING AIDS — Maps.
10.
TEST DETAILS — As per the Standard Statement.
11.
REMARKS:
a.
This lesson should be taught out of doors on reasonably hilly
ground. It is much easier to explain steep slopes and gentle
slopes by pointing them out on the ground than by describing
them in a classroom situation;
b.
Cadets should be taught that the distance between contour
lines represents a rise or fall of so many feet (metres) above
sea level; and
c.
A classroom demonstration of contour lines can be made
i
l
k d b i f ll f
t Di th
k
t
A-CR-CCP-119/PH-001
(1)
a.
A-CR-CCP-121/PT-001
EO 405.06: CONTOUR LINES
The shape of the ground is the most permanent natural feature on your
map, and on the ground. While trees get cut down and roads built, etc,
the hills, valleys, cliffs and ridges remain pretty much unchanged. Your
ability to read contour lines is a great aid to navigation, as well as a
major influence on your choice of routes.
Mapmakers created contour lines as a two dimensional method of
representing three dimensions. Elevation, or ‘relief,’ on a map is
illustrated by joining all points with the same elevation to create contour
lines. Now, instead of covering the entire map with contour lines,
specific elevation values are selected with intervals between – e.g. every
10m. The value of the difference between the elevations of contour lines
is labelled as the ‘contour interval’ and is printed in the bottom margin of
the map. Not all maps have the same contour interval.
The contour lines are printed in light brown (see EO 405.02), with every
fifth line darker – called “index” contour lines. Elevation above Mean
Sea Level (M.S.L.) is indicated on some lines, with the numbers (in
metres or feet) always printed facing uphill.
5-26
A-CR-CCP-121/PT-001
Remember that any change in elevation that is less that the contour
interval will not necessarily be shown by contour lines on the map. On
a 1:50 000 scale map with a 10m contour interval some hills as tall as a
two-storey house may not be depicted. In some cases, ‘spot elevations’
will give you an exact elevation.
5-27
A-CR-CCP-121/PT-001
CONTOUR SECTION
To get an idea of what the topography looks like from the side you can
draw a quick section. You can plot out parts of your route this way to get
an idea of the rise and fall – how easy or difficult a specific section of
your route might be. A graph on a piece of paper slid just below the
section you want to draw is numbered with the elevations from smallest
to largest.
In the example above, a route between A and B in a straight line would
involve about 50m of climb with slopes getting close to 45°. You can
also do a section to determine whether one point on the route would be
visible from another – this is called ‘intervisibility.’
5-28
A-CR-CCP-121/PT-001
SLOPES
The closer together the contour lines the steeper the slope.
Convex slope – slope starts from the top as gentle, then becomes steeper
as you go down. The middle of the slope seems to bulge outward –
appearing convex.
Concave slope – slope starts steep at the top, then gradually becomes
gentle. The middle of the slope seems to depress inward – appearing
concave.
Uniform slope – as the name suggests, a uniform slope remains
constant in its decline, whether steep or gentle.
Spurs and re-entrants
A spur is a contour feature that extends from a slope, and a re-entrant
cuts back into a slope – often formed by water flow downhill.
5-29
ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY CADETS
Star Program
Master Lesson Plan
RED STAR COURSE
PO: MAP AND COMPASS
ENABLING OBJECTIVE(S):
REFERENCE(S):
A.
B.
C.
D.
405.06: Interpret Contour Lines
A-CR-CCP-119/PH-001 Red Star Course Training Plan; Chapter 4,
Page 4-43/4-44.
A-CR-CCP-121/PT-001 Cadet Reference Book, Pages 5-26 – 5-29.
A-CR-CCP-108 Basic Map Using Program Package; Chapter 1, Arts 4352.
A-CR-CCP-111/PT-001 Visual Aids; Pages 5-17.
SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE(S): B-GL-382-005/FP-001 Map, Field Sketching and
Compass; Chapter 5, Section 1, Arts 501-505; Section 2,
Art 511.
TRG AID(S):
A.
B.
C.
D.
STUDENT AID(S): A.
B.
METHOD:
OHP
OHP Slides
Topographical maps (1 per 2 cadets)
Rulers
Red Star Handbook
Pencil and notebook
Lecture, Demonstration and Performance
TIME: 2 x 30 Minutes
REVIEW
I
EO 405.05:
1.
TIME: 5 Minutes
MEASURE THE DISTANCES BETWEEN TWO POINTS ON A
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP
What is the scale of a map?
Answer: Map scale is the relationship between the horizontal distance between two
points measured on the ground and the same two points measured on the map.
2.
Why do we need to know how to measure distance point-to-point?
Answers:
2006-05-04
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Cross-country movement
Calculate time
Assist in training
1/6
3.
Practice measuring distance from point-to-point and along a route. Prepare two examples
for the cadets to work on. Select points that can be used for both (ie: on a road). Give
the cadets the 6-figure grid references of Points A and B.
INTRODUCTION
TIME: 1 Minute
WHAT:
During this period of instruction the cadet will learn how to Interpret Contour Lines.
WHY:
The shape of the ground is the most permanently identifiable feature on a map. To
become proficient in map reading, the cadet must be able to visualize the shape of the
ground from a map. Contour lines are the method of showing heights and shape on a
map. If cadets know how to read contour lines, they can pick up any map and visualize
what the area is like.
WHERE:
The ability to assess what the ground is like will assist the cadet when planning hikes and
navigational exercises. Cadets will know what terrain is suitable for their purposes and
which is not.
BODY
I
STAGE 1:
INSTR NOTES
TIME: 10 Minutes
RELIEF
1.
General: The shape of the ground is the most permanent natural
feature on your map, and on the ground. While trees get cut down
and roads built, etc, the hills, valleys, cliffs and ridges remain
pretty much unchanged. Your ability to read contour lines is a
great aid to navigation, as well as a major influence on your
choice of routes.
2.
What is Relief? Relief is a general term applied to the shape of
the ground. Some representation of relief on topographical maps
is required by the military. Relief has two elements:
3.
a.
the representation of height; and
b.
the representation of shape.
Heights: The difference in heights of land is shown in many
ways. Specific heights can be represented in one of the following
ways.
a.
Benchmarks (Leveled Heights): Precise heights that are
permanently mounted on a concrete pad or pillar; they are
indicated on the map by the symbol BM and the height
expressed to one or more decimal points.
b.
Trigonometrical (trig) Points: Stations or survey control
points; they are indicated on the map by a small triangle
2/6
OHP 1
with the height expressed to the nearest unit.
c.
4.
II
III
Spot Heights: Less accurate heights with no definite
marker that are used to indicate the height of hills or the
bottom of valleys; shown on the map as a black dot with
the height.
Shape: The above methods indicate height, but not the shape of
the ground. Shape is indicated through the use of contour lines.
CONFIRMATION STAGE 1
1.
What is “relief”?
2.
What are three ways of indicating specific heights?
STAGE 2:
CONTOUR LINES
1.
What are Contour Lines? A contour line is a line on a map that
is the same height above sea level throughout its length. The idea
of a contour line is very simple.
2.
Principle of a Contour Line: A contour line can be seen as an
imaginary line following the surface of the ground at a certain
level.
3.
a.
A contour line is like a path: If you walked around a hill
at the same level, you would be following the contour for
that level. On a map, this path would be a contour line.
b.
A series of contour lines: By walking a similar route at a
higher level, another contour would be formed. If you
repeated this procedure until you reached the top of the
hill, it would result in a series of paths, or contour lines.
c.
Another interpretation: Another way to visualize
contours is to imagine a hill cut into a number of equally
thick horizontal slices. If the outlines of the slices were
traced, each would represent a contour line. These lines
are like the path followed in walking around the hill.
Contour Intervals: Note that the vertical distance between
contour lines is always a fixed distance. This distance is called
the contour interval. The interval is expressed in feet or meters
on every topographical map. The contour interval can vary from
map to map depending on the terrain.
a.
Flat terrain: Where the ground is fairly flat, the contour
interval must be small to show any variation in height.
3/6
TIME: 15 Minutes
OHP 2
A good way to
demonstrate this is
to cut an orange or
potato into equally
thick slices. You
can show them one
at a time, and stack
them.
b.
4.
IV
V
Mountainous terrain: In mountains or hilly terrain the
contour interval will be larger.
Index Contour: Every fourth or fifth line (depending on the
interval) is called an Index Contour and is shown by a thicker line.
This helps in reading and counting contour lines to determine a
height. Contour values are placed in breaks made in the lines.
The zero contour is at mean sea level (M.S.L)or avg given tide,
and each succeeding line is the height of the contour interval
above the last. They are positioned in such a way so that they
read the right way up when looking up the slope (printed facing up
hill).
CONFIRMATION STAGE 2
1.
What is a contour line, and how does it show elevation?
2.
What is the contour interval, and how is it expressed on a map?
3.
What is an index contour?
STAGE 3:
1.
2.
THE SHAPE OF THE GROUND
Shape of the ground: Every feature on the ground can be seen in
three different ways. Refer to OHP 3:
a.
Perspective: This shows the hill as it would be seen from
above.
b.
Elevation: If you consider the same hill from side on, the
contour lines are parallel and evenly spaced.
c.
Plan: This shows the contour lines as they appear on a
map; you see the layout, or “floor plan” of the hill.
Shape of contour lines: The shape of a contour line, when
considered with the spacing of the lines, gives you an idea of the
shape of the ground. Consider the example of the paths around
the hill again. Refer to OHP 4.
a.
Where the slope of the hill is gentle, the paths, or
contour lines are spaced far apart.
b.
Where the slope of the hill is steep, the contour lines
are close together.
c.
Evenly spaced contour lines mean a uniform slope.
4/6
TIME: 15 Minutes
OHP 3
OHP 4
3.
Contours over a large area: In the case of isolated hills, contour
lines quickly come back to their starting points. It is exactly the
same over large stretches of territory. It may seem like some
contour lines wander aimlessly and have no end, but they all come
back to their start point eventually. Every curve or bend
represents rise, dip or bend in the ground.
4.
Types of Slopes: The wandering contour lines discussed above
come together to form different distinct features.
OHP 5
a.
Convex Slopes: Contour lines spread out at the top and
come together at the bottom of the slope. Therefore, the
hill is steep at the bottom and flattens out as you near the
top.
b.
Concave Slopes: Concave slopes go inwards. The
contour lines are close together at the top and far apart at
the bottom of the slope. Therefore, the slope is gentle at
the bottom of the hill and steep as you near the top.
NOTE: When
covering the types
of slopes explain to
the cadets how to
make a contour
section and draw a
graph give the
cadets an idea of
what the
topography looks
like from the side.
HINT: If you cannot remember which slope is which, just
think of a cave: a cave goes inwards, and so does a
concave slope.
5.
VI
c.
Ridge with a Saddle: Two hills connected by a ridge.
d.
Valleys: Contour lines recede, or drop lower than the
surrounding elevation. The valley walls could be convex
or concave slopes.
e.
Spurs with Re-entrant: Two high pieces of ground that
may extend out from the main land mass (ie: from the
mountain). The space created between the two spurs is
called a re-entrant (goes back in).
f.
Separate Hills: Sometimes hills are close together but
they do not share contour lines like a ridge and saddle do.
They can be of the same height, but separate.
Meandering contours of varying distance apart mean rolling
terrain with relatively gentle slopes. When the country gets
steeper and more rugged, the contours become less gently curving
and more irregular.
CONFIRMATION STAGE 3
1.
If contour lines are spaced far apart, is the slope gentle or steep?
2.
Describe a convex and a concave slope.
5/6
OHP 6
3.
Prior to class, try to locate each of the 6 landforms on a map.
Give the cadets the 6-figure (or 4-figure) grid reference, and have
them identify the type of slope or feature.
PERFORMANCE CHECK
I
TIME: 12 Minutes
The cadets must correctly identify the slopes and contour patterns found on a map.
1.
OHPs 5 and 6 can be used to review if the names of the patterns are covered.
2.
See Annex A for an activity that will help the cadets visualize the ground by studying the
contour lines.
CONCLUSION
SUMMARY:
RE-MOTIVATE:
A.
TIME: 2 Minutes
During this period of instruction you have learned about:
1.
relief;
2.
contour lines and intervals;
3.
the shape of the ground; and
4.
types of slopes.
B.
Remember that contours far apart mean gentle slopes, and contours close
together mean steep slopes. Evenly spaced contours mean a uniform
slope.
C.
When the spacing of contours from high to low decreases, the slope is
convex. When the spacing from high to low increases, the slope is
concave.
A.
Comment on student progress.
B.
The ability to visualize the shape of the ground from the information on a
map is one of the most important map reading skills. The cadets should
study contours until they become an expert at picturing the lay of the land
in their mind!
C.
The next lesson in Map and Compass will be to Identify Parts of the
Compass and Their Functions.
6/6
THE SHAPE OF THE GROUND
RELIEF is a term used to describe the shape of the ground.
Relief has two elements:
1. HEIGHT
2. SHAPE
HEIGHTS can be represented in 3 ways:
1. BENCHMARKS (leveled heights)
2. TRIGONOMETRICAL (trig) POINTS
3. SPOT HEIGHTS
SHAPE is indicated through the use of contour lines.
405.06 Red Star
OHP-1
CONTOUR LINES
• A contour line is like a
path. If you walk around a
hill at the same level, you
are following a contour.
• By walking around the hill
at a higher level, another
contour is formed.
• A hill can also be cut into
equally thick horizontal
slices. The outline of each
slice is a contour line.
405.06 Red Star
OHP-2
SHAPE OF THE GROUND
Every feature on the ground
can be seen in 3 ways:
1. Perspective: appears as
if seen from above
2. Elevation: Side-on view
3. Plan: shows the contour
lines as they appear on a
map.
405.06 Red Star
OHP-3
SLOPES
1. Where the slope of a hill is gentle, the contour lines are
spaced far apart.
2. Where the slope of a hill is steep, the contour lines are close
together.
3. Evenly spaced contour lines mean a uniform slope.
405.06 Red Star
OHP-4
CONTOUR PATTERNS (1)
CONVEX SLOPES:
The hill is steep at the
bottom and flattens out
near the top.
CONCAVE SLOPES:
The slope is gentle at the
bottom of the hill and gets
steep as you near the top.
405.06 Red Star
OHP-5
CONTOUR PATTERNS (2)
Ridge with a Saddle
Spurs with Re-entrant
405.06 Red Star
Valleys
Separate Hills
OHP-6
ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY CADETS
Star Program
Master Lesson Plan
ANNEX A to EO 405.06 - CONTOUR LINES
Instructions to Directing Staff
1.
This activity will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
2.
Make enough photocopies of the second page of this Annex to go around. Each
cadet will need a copy.
3.
This activity will reinforce the concept of contour lines. From the contours on the
worksheet, the cadets will draw the side-on perspective of the feature.
CONTOUR LINES ACTIVITY
1.
The feature to be drawn is a ridge with a saddle. When completed, the drawing
should resemble the following:
2.
The cadets will draw the hill by following these steps:
a.
Using a ruler, draw a line from the edge of each contour line down to the
corresponding height on the graph. (They will be drawing in the dotted
lines that you see above. Point out that the heights on the drawing
correspond to the heights on the left hand side of the graph.)
b.
Make a dot where your line meets the correct line on the graph. Connect
the dots. The resulting outline shows what the hill looks like from the
side.
ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY CADETS
Star Program
Master Lesson Plan
ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY CADETS
Star Program
Master Lesson Plan
RED STAR 405.06 Contour Lines
Name ________________
CONTOUR LINES ACTIVITY
1.
Using a ruler, draw a line from the edge of each contour line down to
the corresponding height on the graph.
2.
Make a dot where your line meets the correct line on the graph.
3.
Connect the dots. The resulting line shows what the hill would look
like from the side.