USGS Topographic Map Resources
A list of USGS Web sites with information pertaining to different aspects of topographic maps: how to interpret them, how to use them, and lessons for teaching with them.

27 Ideas for Teaching With Topographic Maps
The USGS has published over 57,000 topographic maps, covering many different scales, settlements, and types of landscapes. Use these ideas for integrating topographic maps into the geography, science, environmental studies, history, and mathematics curricula, or to spark your own ideas.

Map Mysteries
Each USGS topographic and thematic map has a story to tell about our planet, its processes, and the people who live there. Use the concept of "map mysteries" to engage your students in uncovering these mysteries in the past and present using clues on USGS maps.

Using Topographic Maps to Teach Coordinate Systems
Understanding and using latitude-longitude, UTM, and state plane coordinate systems.

Topographic Map Margin Information for Educators
How to effectively use coordinate systems and other information on USGS topographic map margins in teaching. 

Map Adventures
An on-line teacher packet for grades K-3 that teaches basic concepts for visualizing objects from different perspectives and how to understand and use maps. Includes seven lesson plans, activity sheets, and a printable poster.

What Do Maps Show?
An on-line teacher packet for grades 5-8 that has four lessons on reading and using maps. The packet includes a teacher's guide, four printable activity sheets, and three maps in PDF format that can be downloaded and printed on 8.5" x 11" paper.

Exploring Maps
An interdisciplinary set of materials on mapping for grades 7-12. Students will learn basic mapmaking and map-reading skills and will see how maps can answer fundamental geographic questions. The map images and activities in this packet can be used in various courses, including geography, history, math, art, English, and the sciences.

Topographic Salad Tray Model
An activity-oriented lesson that helps students understand a topographic map by creating a three-dimensional model from contours on a topographic map.

GPS in Education
Helfpul tips for working with a GPS receiver and sample geocaching lessons.

Corn Maze Geography
Ten lesson ideas for using corn mazes in geography education with bridges to science and mathematics.

USA Geography Quiz
40-question quiz to spark inquiry-based investigation about the USA's elevations, population, landforms, and climate with data taken from USGS and other publications.

Landforms Quiz
Match the landform with its representation on a USGS topographic map.