Grade 9 Geography Term 1 Planning memorandum

MAP SKILLS

Grade 9 teacher

1.This whole document must be in your planning book, paste in at the left-hand side. All your planning should be done

on these papers and on the clean pages of the book. You can also do planning in files or flip file….as long as you do

your planning.

2.Add more paragraph questions to teach learners how to answer paragraphs.

3.You can add more relevant FIGURES and information to make the content easier for the learners to understand.

These worksheets are the minimum to be done.

4.You MUST ADD work out of your textbook or other resources, that extra work must also be in this planning book

5.You are welcome to add marks for the questions in the activities, it will help learners when answering the questions.

Don’t mark in your planning book the answers.

6.Please correct any errors on these pages.

7.You cannot continue with the following lesson if the learners did not mark the previous work and did corrections.

8.You cannot just give the answers to the learners, you must tell the story/explain the work… only then the learners go

and do the work and then you mark it together.

9. If ALL, the answers are not completed you do it yourself on these papers.

10.Planning must be done in pen; you welcome to use color pens but dates must be in pencil.

This is your planning book; you make it easy and pleasant to use for yourself

11.Planning must be neat and thoroughly done to use for many years. You are just going to add every year new

information. You can also do your extra notes in this book or paste it in.

Thank you for your hard work

Anette

Anette Strydom 1
 SOCIAL SCIENCES – SENIOR PHASE
LESSON PLAN : Geography
Lesson group 1
Topic: Map skills Grade 9 Term 1

Content / Concepts: Basic map skills – Topographic maps and Orthophoto maps

1. Topographic maps - Map symbols

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

2. Natural and Constructured features

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

3. Contour lines – Height and slopes

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

4. Contour patterns showing river valleys and spurs

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

5. Scale and measuring distance

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:
Anette Strydom 2
6. Co-ordinates to locate features

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

7. Orthophoto maps – Vertical aerial photographs

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

8. Orthophoto maps- Height

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

9. Orthophoto maps - Contour lines

Word bank words:

Informal assessment / worksheet pages:
Date completed with last group:
Extra:

What did you do extra to assist progressed and retained learners?

Anette Strydom 3
Grade 9 Geography Term 1
CARD SYMBOLS

• Point symbols
• Line symbols
• Area symbols (polygons)

Line symbol

Point symbol

Area symbol

(Poligoon)

NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS

Anette Strydom 4
 NATURAL AND CONSTRUCTED FEATURES

Word bank
Natural features: thing that exist in nature (Rivers, hills, valleys, forests, and grass lands)
Constructed features: things that were built/planted by people (roads, buildings, harbours, fences, and orchards)
Orchards: Areas of land where fruit trees grow

Natural features are things found in nature such as rivers, lakes, mountains, trees, hills, and fields. Constructed features are man-
made such as buildings, roads, railways, power lines, harbours, airports, and bridges. These features look different on photographs,
and it is important to be able to distinguish between them.

These features look different on aerial photographs and it is important to be able to distinguish between them.
Natural features
• Forests are dark green, and trees grow randomly; edges of
forests are curved and twisted
• River’s twist and turn
• Clear water is dark, muddy water is lighter
• Individual trees or shrubs look like dark spots
• Grassy areas are light and look rough
Constructed features
• Plantations (man-made forests) show trees planted in
straight rows; edges of plantations are straight and
square
• Canals or furrows are straight
• Main roads are usually quite straight and are light grey;
secondary roads twist and follow the land more
• Swimming pools are very light and usually have a fixed
shape
• Cultivated (farm) land is light where plants are new,
darker where plants are taller and older; land has a
specific shape
• Cultivated land appears smooth

Photos

What is a photograph?
A detailed and
complete picture
of a section of reality.

A mirror image of the

real world

Anette Strydom 5
 Types of photographs

Types of photographs

• Horizontal or terrestrial
• Aerial : Vertical aerial
Oblique aerial
• Satellite Image

Terrestrial or Horizontal Vertical Aerial photography

6
8

Oblique Aerial Satellite image

7
9

Topographic Map
Topographic maps are smaller in scale. It covers a relatively smaller area in a detailed manner. Topographical maps use many
symbols to represent political, physical, and Socio-cultural features such as boundaries, mountains and rivers, roads and railway lines
etc. Topographic maps are illustrations of man-made and natural features on the ground

Anette Strydom 6
 FIGURE: A
A topographic map is a detailed and accurate illustration of man-made and natural features on the ground

1. Match the following labels to each of the letters in FIGURE A above:

• Trees - B
• Road - E
• Houses - F
• Natural grass - A
• Cultivated grass - C
• Cultivated field – D

2. Which letters show natural feathers? A and B

3. Which letters show constructed features? C,D,E and F

4. If an aerial photograph is in black and white, discuss two ways you could tell the difference between water and land.
Water is dark while land is light; water in a dam will have set outlines while land as no edges; water looks smooth
while most land looks rough.

Anette Strydom 7
 Contour lines – Height and slopes
Contour lines are lines drawn on maps to show the height of the land above sea level

This is the view of a hill from the top

These circles are similar to contour
This is a model of a hill lines on a map

Contour interval is the difference in height between two contours next to each other.
The height difference between any two contours is 20m, so the contour interval is 20m.

Contour patterns on a map show us what the land looks like. By looking at contour patterns, we can regonise landforma such as hills,
slopes valleys and spurs.

FIGURE B Make use of FIGURE B to answer the following questions

1.Give the contour interval of this map: 20m
2.State whether the slope of the land is going upwards or down wards
between point A and B: downwards
3. Identify the height at points C and D
C: +/- 70m D: +/- 90m

Gradient
Steepness of a slope

Index Contours Every 5th contour line is an index contour.

That is the
darker
contour line

Anette Strydom 8
FIGURE C

A: 2

B: 3

C: 1

FIGURE D: Heights on maps

ALTITUDE
The height above sea - level
Height on all South African maps is shown in METRES above sea level and is represented through.
– Bench Marks
– Contour lines
– Trigonometrical Beacons
– Spot Heights

Conventional signs : Name the height symbol you see

1. Spot heights ● 642 ●894

34(No.) 65

2. Trigonometrical beacons

1 454 (H) 1234

3. Bench marks = arrow with hight next to road

4. Contour lines
= direction of increasing height

Anette Strydom 9
FIGURE E:

Determine the height of the following using FIGURE E:

1.Trigonometric beacon 29 : 1233.5m

2. Height at spot height 1256 : 1256m

3. Contour line A :1160m

4.Determine the difference in height between ·1256 and Δ 29: 1233.5 – 1256 = 22.5m

Label the following:

1.Spot heights 2. Trigonometrical Beacon

3.Bench marks 4.Contour lines

Anette Strydom 10
FIGURE F:

Make use of FIGURE F to answer the following questions:

1. Identify each of the landscape features at points A :Spur B:Valley C: Gentle slope D: Mesa
2. What is the contour interval on this map? 20m
3. What do we call the height feature with the number •969? Spot height
4. What is the direction of the river flow at A? South westerly direction

Contour patterns
• The patterns that contour make on a map show us what the land looks like
on the ground
• By looking at contour patterns, we can recognise landforms such as hills,
valleys, slopes, and cliffs
• This diagram shows a model of a landscape with a steep and gentle slope

• This is a view of looking down on the model

• The steepness of a slope is called a gradient

Anette Strydom 11
1. Steep and gentle slopes (description of gradient)

Gentle slope

1
0 12 14
0 0 0

Steep slope

10
0 2
8
0
1.What is the height at:

A:400m

B: 460m

2.Where do you see the index contour? At A or B?

A

3. Why? It is coloured darker

Gentle slope Steep slope

Submit
Summit

Base Base

To walk from the base to the summit is easy

To walk from the base to the summit is difficult

Anette Strydom 12
 Uniform slope
420

340

Concave slope
220
260

340

Convex slope
260
0
340 360
00

Wedge: Something that is shaped like a triangle, tapering to a narrow end

.

Anette Strydom 13
FIGURE G: Identify the slopes
A to B : Gentle slope
Identify the slope
B to C : Concave slope
D
C
C to D : Gentle slope
B

D: Uniform slope
A

1. Concave

2. Convex

3. Uniform

FIGURE H Make use of FIGURE H to answer the questions:

1. Is A at the bottom or the top of the hill? Bottom

2. What is the height above sea level at B: 740m
3. What do we call the darker coloured contour lines?
index contour
4. Is the gradient steep or even? Even
5. What do we call the bottom of a mountain/hill? Base
6. What do we call the top of a mountain/hill? Summit

Anette Strydom 14
Contour lines - Rivers, valleys, and spurs
Rivers flow in valleys. Where two rivers flow next to each other, there is always a wedge of hilly land in between.
Spur: A mountain or hill that sticks out from the main mountain or line of mountains.
Valley: A low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it

To use contour lines to distinct between a valley and spur. Rivers flow in valleys and rivers always flow downstream.

Sometimes it looks if river flow upstream The contour line of a valley point
The point of the arrow but remember you can turn the paper…. up
show
direction of river flow
downstream 200

240

Valley…… Spur

The contour line of a spur

point down

FIGURE I: Contour map Make use of FIGURE I to complete:

1. Identify the land above 420m and colour it in

2. Name the area Makwena Mountain.

3. What is the contour interval for this map? 20m

4.Label Spur in four places on the map

5. Draw in rivers in four dry valleys

(Make sure the arrow of the river point

downwards

Anette Strydom 15
FIGURE J:
What do the following numbers on the map
represent?

3. Spur

6 Valley

Dry valley-Valleys without a river

Butte Mesa (Tafelberg)

Draw the contour lines of a mesa Draw the contour lines of a butte

Anette Strydom 16
Plateau
Draw the contour lines of a plateau Mesa is a medium size flat topped
part of hill or mountain

Plateau is a very big size flat

topped part of a hill or mountain

Buttes are what is left of what once

was a Mesa , the rest of it has been
eroded away

Neck / Saddle
Draw the contour lines of a neck
(Don’t write in the height)

Poort / Gap

Cliff

Anette Strydom 17
FIGURE K: Make use of FIGURE K and
match the number with the
letter

1.B 4.C
2.E 5.F
3.D 6.A

FIGURE L: Waterfall

Contour line of waterfall is very similar to a cliff,

because a waterfall is a cliff with water.

Contour lines will therefore touch each other and there

will be water indicated by the contour lines.

FIGURE M: Dam wall

Damwal

Water always flows toward the dam wall not

away from it

Anette Strydom 18
FIGURE N: Match the Letters with the correct numbers

Letter Correct number

A 7
B 6
C 4
D 2
E 5
F 1
G 8
H 3

FIGURE O: Type of Rivers

Drainage : Water ,rivers and dams are always indicated in BLUE on a topographic map

Perennial rivers permanent rivers flow throughout the year.

Indicated by continuous lines

Non-perennial /seasonal rivers flow during the rain season.

Indicates by broken lines

FIGURE P: Direction of the river flow

You need to look at the following:
1. Contour lines
• going down hills – rivers always flow downhill
• Contour lines form a V shape , where point of V shape point that is upstream. The river flows in the opposite
direction.

2. Direction of the tributary

• flows into the river
• Elevation
Height
3. Dam wall

• Dam wall is downstream – water flows toward the dam wall

Anette Strydom 19
4. Height on spot heights, water always flows from higher height to lower height.

• From highest to lowest

Always draw directions 1st to

determine river flow

FIGURE Q: In which direction is the river flowing?

1. What do you see with the State the river flow

river?
600
Trigonometric beacon North Westerly direction
spot height
700
900
2.

Westerly direction
Contour line

3.

Westerly direction
Tributary

4.

Dam
South Easterly direction
Dam wall

Anette Strydom 20
Scales

Scales (Distance on a map representing distance on the ground)

Word bank:

Scale: This is the method used to work out the real distance as it would be on the earth from a map
Line scale: This is a line on the bottom of a map that shows measurements in kilometres.
Word scale: Words are used to tell you how to work out distance on the map.

A enlarged to B
A:B
1:5

1:5

A reduced to B
A:B
1:100

1:5 In scale remember 1 : 100

the numbers work opposite

5 is a smaller number than 100

BUT

The scale 5 is bigger than the scale 100

Anette Strydom 21
 Arrange the following map scales from Arrange the following map scales from

Biggest to the smallest scale Smallest to biggest scale

using the numbers 1 – 6 where 1 is the smallest using the numbers 1 – 6 where 1 is the smallest
and 6 is biggest scale. and 6 is biggest scale.

1 : 500 __3___ 1 : 200 __4___

1 : 50 __2___ 1 : 20 __5___

1 : 50 000 __4___ 1 : 20 000 __3___

1 : 200 000 __2___

1 : 500 000 __5___
1:2 __6___
1:5 __1___
1 : 2 000 000 __1___
1 : 5 000 000 __6___

Types of Scales
Written / Word scale
1cm represents 0,5kms
Ratio Scale or Representative Fraction

Graphic Scale (Line Scale)

Anette Strydom 22
Distance
Direct Distance / routes
How to measure distance on a map using a formula:
Straight distance
FIGURE R: (Unknown Jan. 2012)
1 : 50 000

Distance
.C
AD = MD X S
Scale

Map distance
Actual distance
.A

MAP distance you

measure on map
.B
ACTUAL distance you work
out using scale and map
distance

1. What is the distance between A and B? 83mm

Map distance: 8,3cm
This is the method
AD= MD x S
to use BUT 8,3
MD: 8, 3
might differ,
S: 50 000
measure with
AD = 8, 3 x 50 000
= 4150 00 cm learners their
= 4, 15 km distance and
replace then 8,3

2. What is the distance between A and C? 59mm

Map distance: 5,9cm
AD+ MD x S This is the method
MD: 5.9 to use BUT 5.9
might differ,
S: 50 000
measure with
AD+ 5, 9 x 50 000
learners their
= 2950 00 cm
distance and
= 2.95 km
replace then 5.9

Anette Strydom 23
 Grid Reference
(Always work in South Africa)

In 2930CB MAP CODE / GRID

REFERENCE
29 represents lines of latitude 30 represents lines of longitude ▪ Refers to the position of a map
on a grid of longitude and
latitude
29 means : 29ºS
30 means : 30ºE ▪ For example : Pietermaritzburg
map has the code 2930CB

C means : Big block C

B means : Line block B (small block B)

5. Orthophoto Map
Vertical aerial photos

Word bank
Large- scale map: a map that shows a small area such as towns or farming areas
Small-scale map: a map that shows a large area such as a country or continent

Orthophoto Map means a map that appears as a photographic image, which re-combines many small pieces of an aerial
photograph. The important part is that it's taken from altitude so that you can see the landscape clearly.

Vertical aerial photographs are more useful for creating maps and understanding an area because you can see all objects;
when looking at an oblique aerial photograph you cannot see what is behind certain objects.
Vertical aerial photographs clearly show transport routes and buildings and can more accurately be used to compare the sizes of
objects and the distances between them.

Aerial photographs can show a lot of information, particularly about the layout of an area.
Aerial photographs show both natural and constructed features. Natural features are things found in nature such as rivers,
lakes, mountains, trees, hills and fields. Constructed features are man-made such as buildings, roads, railways, power lines,
harbours, airports and bridges. These features look different on photographs, and it is important to be able to distinguish between
them

Anette Strydom 24
 Land use on aerial photographs and large-scale maps
FIGURE S: Forests and plantation

Make use of FIGURE S to name A and B (forest or plantation).

A Plantation B Forest
Explain in your own words what a plantation is
A Plantation is a man-made area in which trees are planted in rows to grow wood for human use.

Orthophoto Map
They have a bigger scale and show more detail than of the landscape than topographic maps. Appear in shades of grey and provide a
detailed and true insight into the layout and contours of the area mapped.

FIGURE T

Orthophoto maps are large scale photo Orthophoto maps - features shown as true presenteters

Anette Strydom 25
 Orthophoto maps – Shows heights There are two ways that height is expressed; contour lines
and spot heights

Orthophoto maps – Shown contour lines

Land use on aerial photographs and large-scale maps

Topographic Map and Orthophoto map of Harrismith

Topographic map of Harrismith Orthophoto of Harrismith

C= Golf course D= Building (Prison)

Anette Strydom 26
FIGURE U

Make use of FIGURE U and your own knowledge to answer the following questions

1. Which image shows a larger area? Explain your answer.

The map shows a larger area. There is more land shown on the map; the photograph shows only part of the area on the

map.

2. Name two constructed features you can see on the photograph.

Buildings; roads; railways; hospital; rows of trees; cultivated land.

3. Name one natural feature you can see on the photograph. Trees; grass

4. Name the main road that passes around the town. The N3.

5. Use the number or letter from the photograph and map to match the land use zone below:

a) Transport – 2 (railway)

b) Residential – F

c) Recreational – 8 (athletics field)

d) Service–1 (hospital)

Anette Strydom 27
FIGURE V:
The information in the blocks is used in the questions that follow. They also provide
the answers to the questions. Write down the LETTER of the block/s that represents the correct answer.

NB In some cases more than one letter can be the correct answer.

QUESTION / STATEMENT ANSWER

LETTER
1 Definition of BLOCK A. H
2 Like BLOCK A, it shows height on topographic maps. O
3 Contour pattern of slope at BLOCK M. C
4 Type of feature in BLOCK B. I
5 Landform represented by contour pattern of BLOCK F. N
6 Warns ships at of danger at BLOCK E. K
7 Type of feature of BLOCK G. E
8 Contour pattern of BLOCK I. J
9 High lying area at BLOCK L. O

Anette Strydom 28
 Memorandum
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. A

Anette Strydom 29
Use the 1: 50 000 topographical of 3227DD Bakuro to answer the 1.11. The height of contour line B in Block A1 on the topographical
following questions. Various options are provided as possible answers map is ... metres.
to the following questions. A.1120
B. 1110
Question 1: C. 1000
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A-D) next to the D. 990
question number e.g. 1.1.9. C.
1.12. What do you see at F in Block C1 on the topographical map?
1.1.1 What is the feature labelled H? A. spur
A. Non-perennial water B. cliff
B. Water C. waterfall
C. Dam wall D. valley
D. River

1.1.2 The numbers 3227 in the map index refers to ....... 1.13. What do you see at K in Block C5 on the topographical map?
A. 32’ latitude and 27’ longitude. A. neck
B. 27’ latitude and 32’longitude. B. cliff
C. 27° latitude and 32° longitude. C. waterfall0
D. 32° latitude and 27° longitude. D. poort

1.1.3 The direction of trigonometrical beacon 5 in Block A2 from 1.14. What do you see at J in Block E2 on the topographical map?
spot height 1066 in Block A4 on the topographical map is ... A. neck
A. NW B. cliff
B. N C. waterfall
C. NNW D. poort
D. SW 1.15. What do you see at D in Block A3 on the topographical map?
A. spur
1.1.4 Is the feature F in block F3 perennial or non-perennial? B. cliff
A. perennial river C. waterfall
B. non-perennial river D. valley

1.1.5 The height of contour line A in Block B2 on the topographical 1.16.The height of trigonometrical beacon 6 in Block D1 is.....
map is ... metres. A.1000
A.1120 B. 6km
B. 1110 C. 6m
C. 1000 D. 1000m
D. 990
1.17. The scale of the map is________
1.1.6 The landform at E in Block E2 on the topographical map is a A. 1: 10 000
A.pass B. 50000km
B. saddle C.1:50000
C. valley D. 50000m
D. spur
Question 2:
1.1.7 Is the slope represented by G to H (gentle/steep) slope?
A. Gentle 2.1.Calculate the straight line distance between the spot heights in
B. Steep A4 and C3. (Answer in km)

1.1.8 Which slope (concave/convex) is represented between Complete : AD = ________x S

S and T?
MD = ________
A. Concave
B. Convex S = ________
FINAL ANSWER =_________ km
1.1.9 What do you see at W in Block E5 on the topographical map?
A. neck
B. saddle 2.2.Name the three features used to give the exact height in
C. mesa metres :
D. poort ____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Anette Strydom 30
1.10. Which slope (concave/convex) is represented between
L and M?
2.5. Study the contour map. The heights are shown in metres.
A. Concave
A-B , E-F , G-H and I-J show a mixture of valleys and spurs.
B. Convex
2.3 Make use of diagram A to answer the following questions: Answer the questions:
Diagram A:

2.5.1. Which shows valleys?

2.3.1. Is A at the bottom or the top of the hill? _________________
2.3.2. What is the height above sea level at B: ________________
2.3.3. What do we call the darker coloured contour lines?
___________________________
2.3.4. Is this steep or even contour lines? ___________________
2.4 Complete the direction:
1 ______________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
2.5.2.Which shows spurs?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
2.5.3. Which slope is steeper? K-L or M-N
2.5.4. What is the altitude of K?
________________________

3
2.5.5. What does the following numbers represent on the map:
1. ___________________________

2
2. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
4 7. ___________________________
8. ___________________________

1._________

2. __________

3.__________

4.__________

Anette Strydom 31
Answers: 2.4
QUESTION 1 1. North
1.1.1 C 2. East southeast
1.1.2 D 3. West northwest
1.1.3 D 4. Southwest
1.1.4 B
1.1.5 B 2.5 A-B Spur
1.1.6 C E-F Valley
1.1.7 B G-H Valley
1.1.8 B I-J
1.1.9 D
1.1.10 B 2.5.1 E-F
1.1.11 C 2.5.2 A-B
1.1.12 D 2.5.3 K-L
1.1.13 B 2.5.4 700m
1.1.14 B
1.1.15 C 2.5.5 1. Mesa
1.1.16 D 2. Valley
1.1.17 C 4. Neck
7. Gentle slope
1.1.18 A-Steep / Uniform 8. Cliff
B - Concave 6. Pass/ Poort / Gap
C - Convex
D - Butte
E -Cliff
F -Mesa

QUESTION 2

2.1 Calculation
AD = MD X S
MD = MAP DISTANCE – (7.2 cm to 7.5 cm)
S = SCALE – 1:50 000
SUM= 3.6 km

2.2 (i) Trigonometric beacon

(ii) Spot height
(iii) Contour lines
(iv) Bench mark
2.3
2.3.1 Bottom
2.3.2 740 m
2.3.3 Index Contour
2.3.4 Steep

Anette Strydom 32
Teachers, please use this map over and over to show the learners the features and contours on a real map

Please use this map to set your own questions

Anette Strydom 33
Anette Strydom 34