Doughy Topos

By Christine SaccoWarwood Middle School

1. Have each group make 4 different sizes of pancakes out of different colored dough.

2. Trace the 4 pancakes on a sheet of white paper.3. Have students stack the four different size pancakes on top of

each other, largest on the bottom. Have one edge of dough line up.

4. Discuss elevation. Discuss the way water will flow. Discuss slope (steepness, gentle erosion from water over a period of years).

5. Pour water over the dough so students can see the path of water.6. Have students use a plastic knife and cut out a pie wedge.7. Discuss stream flow (V’s)8. Take the traced shape and cut them out.9. Glue shapes on top of each other, largest on the bottom.10.Label contour lines starting with 0 m.11.Place a folded piece of paper on the contour map and mark the

contours.12.Take the marked paper and construct a profile on grid paper

provided.13.After profile is made, make a cross section of the dough model

and compare files.

None listed

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Topo Dough

1 cup flour½ cup salt1 cup water3 tablespoons oil2 teaspoons cream of tartarFood coloring

Mix together and cook over medium to low heat. Knead 1-2 minutes.