Mt. Washington Valley School to Career Partnership
Teacher Name: Marsha Smith
School: Josiah Bartlett Elementary School
Grade: 6
Externship: Thaddeous Thorne Surveys
Subject: Math/Science
Lesson Title: Land Survey - Transit Activity

Outcome:

The students will become familiar with the process of developing site plans using a wooden transit.

Materials:
ruler
yard stick
pencils
eraser
8 1/2" x 11" plain white papers
clip board
wooden transit
directional compass
protractor

Procedure:

1. The students will become familar with distance measured in feet by measuring a given distance in feet then walking the distance to become familiar with the relationship of their pace and distance in feet. In reverse the students try to pace off a given distance by walking then measure it to see how accurate they can estimate.

2. The students will estmate how level certain areas of landscape may be at a designated site. Then the students may use a clear plastic hose partially filled with water to determine if the land is level.

3. Students will observe the drainage areas in a site such as the playground. parking lot; picnic areas and banking.

4. Using a wooden transit, students will practice how to line up the nails (scope). read the degrees, define the angle, and measure from a designated point .

5. Students will work in groups of three in a collaborative manner to practice measuring angles from the points designated by a letter which the teacher has placed or objects (in the classroom or outside). One student records, one student holds the transit level and steady, while the other s:udent reads the site. The students rotate jobs so that each student practices each job.

6. Using the compass, clip board, transit, pencil, eraser, and paper, each group orientate the she to be plotted and sets up their paper. The triangle of objects (such as trees, fence posts, or large rocks) are labeled on the site with letters A, B, and C. The three angles are measured and recorded.

7. Using the yardstick, students will measure the line segment distances between the letters A, B, and C. These measurements are to be recorded.

8. Using the ruler and protractor, the students will draw the triangle ABC on the site to scale. Include on the drawing of the site a title, compass rose, scale, and actual list of the measurements for the angles and the line segments.

Assessment:

Each group will present their site plan explaining the measurements. Each group of three students will measure another group's site plan and write a recommendation for the original group.

Extension:

Using the site plan, students may measure drainage areas, contours of the land, and vegetation so they may be added to the site plan. Adding color and to scale pictures may make the plan more personal. Be creative!

Standards Addressed:

Mathematics

Problem Solving and Reasoning

1a. Students will use problem solving strategies to investigate and understand increasingly complex mathematical content.

1b. Students will use mathematical reasoning.

Communication and Connections

2a. Students will communicate their understanding of mathematics.

2b. Students will recognize, develop, and explore mathematical connections. Numbers. Numeration, Operations, and Number Theory

3a. Students will develop number sense and an understanding of our numeration system.

3c. Students will compute.

3d. Students will use mental computation; estimation skills, and strategies and know when it is appropriate to do so.

Geometry, Measurement, and Trigonometry

4b. Students will develop spatial sense.

4c. Students will develop an understanding of measurement and systems of measurement through experiences which enable them to use a variety of techniques, tools. and units of measurement to describe and analyze quantifiable phenomena.

Science

Science. Technology, and Society

2a. Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to use measuring instruments to gather accurate and/or precise information.

2c. Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate scientific information using technology.

2e. Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that science and technology affects individuals, and that individuals in turn can affect science and technology.

Social Studies

Geography

10 Students will demonstrate the ability to use maps, mental maps, globes, and other graphic tools and technologies to acquire, process, report, and analyze geographic information.

11. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions.

12. Students will demonstrate an understanding of landform patterns and water systems on Earth's surface; the physical processes that shape these patterns; and the characteristics and distribution of ecosystems.