Page 75 - ShareSpace's Mars Map Teacher's Guide - Sept 2016

GRADE LEVEL(S)

4–6

LENGTH

Two 45-minute periods

MATERIALS

 Giant Destination Mars Map
 Mars photographs
 Mars Landform Identification Student Sheet
 Answer Key

VOCABULARY

 Impact Crater
 Volcano
 River Valley
 River Bed
 Dry Lake Bed
 Polygonal Ground
 Lava Flow
 Sand Dune
 Fractures
 Wind Streaks

ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S)

How can we identify landforms on the surface of Mars using spacecraft photographs?

LESSON OBJECTIVE(S)

Students will:
 become familiar with Mars landforms using the Mars Map and Viking Orbiter
spacecraft photographs.

ENGAGEMENT

1. Ask students to create a K-W-L chart in their STEAM notebooks with the title “Mars
Landforms.” Ask students to list things they have learned so far about landforms on Mars.
Let them explore the Mars Map for inspiration and reminding.

2. Explain that they will examine more actual photographs from a Mars mission to further
extend their understanding of Mars landforms. Ask students to list things they want to learn
about landforms on Mars. Have students share their thoughts.

EXPLORATION

1. This activity uses seven photographs taken by Viking Orbiter cameras to show nine different
features on the surface of Mars. Students first identify which features are present in each
photograph, then find those features on the Mars Map. A Mars Landform Identification
student chart is provided to record answers.

Giant Destination Mars Map Teacher’s Guide
Lesson 8 P. 1