Map skills -Rivers/ Mountains

Locating Major Topographical Features on a map

3rd Grade
Ms. Caldwell
Bell Work

A compass rose is located at the bottom of most maps to help the user with directions.

°North -N
°South- S
°East- E
°West- W

Compass Rose

Physical Map

A physical map is a map that shows elevation, rivers, landforms and bodies of water in a specific area.

​A map key or legend as it is often called tells what the symbols on a map represent.

Key/ Legend

Multiple Choice

What is this a picture of ?

• Map

• Key/Legend

• Compass Rose

• Mountains

Rivers

There are 6 major rivers in the United States; Colorado River, Rio Grande River, Mississippi River, Ohio River, Hudson River and the St. Lawrence River. Will you be able to locate all 6 by the end of the unit ?

Introduction

​A river is a natural flowing waterway. A river can be fresh or salt water. Rivers flow towards ocean, gulfs, seas, or other lakes.

How do rivers help people?

​Rivers

Colorado River

Flows from Colorado
to the Gulf of
California.

Flows through the
Grand Canyon.

Rio Grande

The Rio Grande begins in
Colorado and flows to the
Gulf of Mexico.

It currently forms a
natural border between
the United States and
Mexico.

Mississippi River

About 3,700 miles long

Longest river in the United

States.

Flows through 10 different

States.

Flows from Minnesota to the
Gulf of Mexico

Ohio River

About 981 miles long

Largest tributary that
leads

into the Mississippi River

What is a tributary?

Begins in Pennsylvania and
flows into the Mississippi
River.

Hudson River

The Hudson River is the
smallest of all the major rivers
in America.

The Hudson River starts in
New York and ends in the
Atlantic Ocean.

The Husdon River is named
after Henry Hudson.

The Hudson River is used to
transport goods

The Hudson River is an
estuary.

“Can anyone tell me what that
word means”

St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River

is about 750 miles long.

The St. Lawrence River connects the

Great lakes to the

Atlantic Ocean

Multiple Choice

Which number is CLOSEST to the St. Lawrence River?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

The blue line on this map represents what river

• Ohio River

• Mississippi River

• Hudson River

• Rio Grande River

Multiple Choice

Which number represents the Colorado River?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Rocky Mountains

Also known as the

Rockies

Stretch 3,000 miles down the

Western side of the United

States

Tallest Mountain Range is the
United Sttaes.

Highest peak is Mount Elbert,

which is located in Colorado

Multiple Choice

over 3,000 miles long
· Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, & Montana
· Mt. Elbert is the highest point (14,440 ft)

All of these are describing what mountain range?

Responses

• 
  

• Appalachian Mountains

• Rocky Mountains

• Mount Everst

• Mount Rushmore

Appalachian Mountains

Oldest mountain chain in

North America

Stretch 1,500 miles down
the

eastern part of the USA

Highest peak is Mount
Mitchell

in North Carolina

Multiple Choice

Which letter represents the part of the United States where MOST of the Appalachian Mountains are located?

• A

• B

• C

• D