RockLicker · Grade 5 · Lesson 4 of 5

Contour Interval Challenge

Calculate contour intervals and bracket an unlabeled hilltop elevation.

  • Grade 5
  • 45 minutes
  • Worksheet + teacher guidance
Back to Grade 5

What you will learn

Contour interval is the elevation difference between adjacent contours. Count the spaces between lines, not just the number of lines. A map may bracket a summit without giving its exact elevation.

Words to use

  • interval: elevation change between adjacent lines
  • bracket: place between limits
  • summit: a high point

Evidence for this lesson

Idealized labels: five consecutive contours from 100 m to 180 m. Hill example: complete 200, 220, 240 m closed contours rising inward; no 260 m contour, depression marks or spot elevation.

Use the supplied record as written; do not invent missing results.

Work through the activity

  1. 5 min · Count spacesDraw five lines labeled 100, blank, blank, blank, 180 m. Count four intervals between the five lines.
  2. 15 min · CalculateSubtract 100 from 180 and divide by four. Fill the missing labels and check that every adjacent difference is equal.
  3. 15 min · Read a hillDraw complete nested contours 200, 220, 240 m increasing inward with no depression marks or spot height. Explain the possible elevation of the center.
  4. 10 min · Compare slopesAt the same scale and interval, compare a 20 m rise across 1 cm with the same rise across 3 cm. Identify the steeper representation.
RockLicker
GRADE 5 · LESSON 4

Contour Interval Challenge

Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.

Responses stay in this open page only. Print before closing or changing pages; no student record is stored online.

Check your understanding

Five lines create how many spaces between the first and last?

Teacher & family guide · answers and assessment

Grade 5 · Contour Interval Challenge

Learning goal: Calculate contour intervals and bracket an unlabeled hilltop elevation.

Expected responses

  1. 20 m: (180−100)/4.
  2. 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 m.
  3. Higher than 240 m and below the next 260 m contour in this complete idealized diagram; no exact summit is shown.
  4. The 1 cm spacing represents the same rise across a shorter distance.

Understanding check: Four. Adjacent line pairs create four intervals; divide the total rise by those spaces.

Watch for this misconception

A missing spot height is not permission to assume a summit equals the highest drawn contour.

Assess the evidence

Look for the observations, calculation or explanation named in the learning goal. Accept accurate drawings and dictated responses. Use the expected responses to discuss reasoning; a correct guess without explanation is a starting point for another conversation.

Adapt and extend

Read prompts aloud, enlarge print or let a partner record the learner’s explanation. Find a real topo map legend and compare its units and interval with this exercise.