- Definition
Contour lines are the lines you draw to show the outside edges and important bumps or dips of an object, like the outline of a face or the folds in a blanket.
When drawing a face, the lines that form the outline of the head and define the nose are contour lines.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Contour lines are like the black lines in a colouring book that show you the edges of a shape.
Ask your child: Can you trace the outline of that apple with your finger?
Common mix-up: Kids may think contour lines are just scribbles or shading. These lines specifically follow the edges and surfaces of an object to show its form.
Examples
- Tracing the edge of a leaf on paper creates its contour line.
- The lines showing the folds and creases in a drawing of a crumpled shirt.
- In a map, the lines that show how high the land is are a type of contour line.
contour lines is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
