Rope Contours: Build a Mountain on the Ground

Each group lays out the contour lines of a mountain from the map on the ground using ropes, and others walk it to feel where it's steep and where it's flat. It makes something hard to picture on paper concrete.

How to play

1. Review: a contour line connects points at the same elevation, and on a 1:25,000 map there's usually one every 10 m. Each rope is one contour (3 min).
2. In groups of five, with five closed rope loops, students lay out the contours of their assigned mountain, with elevation cards next to each rope (8 min).
3. Visit the other groups' mountains: find the steepest and gentlest slopes and test them on foot. Walking straight across the lines is the steepest line up; walking along one rope is staying level (8 min).
4. Route challenge: each group places cones to mark a route to the summit of another mountain that never crosses two lines within two steps, avoiding the steepest areas (7 min).
5. Pack up the ropes and wrap up: which areas would you avoid with a heavy pack, and why (4 min).

Rules

• Ropes stay on the ground; don't pull them or jump over them running.
• Walk through other groups' mountains without moving the ropes.
• Contour lines never cross each other.
• Whoever placed a rope coils it up at the end.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visually impaired: follows the ropes with a foot or cane and counts the lines crossed.
• Wheelchair users: a mountain laid out on pavement with more space between lines.
• Ankle injury: directs the layout from outside with the map.

Learning goals

• Represent terrain using contour lines.
• Link the spacing between lines to actual steepness.
• Plot routes that avoid the steepest ground.

Equipment for a class of 25

• ropes: 30
• cones: 30
• elevation cards: 30
• topographic maps: 6

Teacher tip

Old jump ropes, clothesline, or cord work fine; no climbing gear needed. The usual mistake is leaving lines open: remind students that on a mountain every contour closes on itself.

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