Geography Unit Plan

Geography Unit PlanGeography Unit Plan

Ms. Marie Louise LawsonMs. Marie Louise Lawson

LibrarianLibrarian

The Geography UnitThe Geography Unit

Intended for Grade 5 studentsIntended for Grade 5 students Will utilize research and presentation Will utilize research and presentation

skillsskills Focus on United States Geography to Focus on United States Geography to

introduce World Geography sectionintroduce World Geography section Fits in with the Grade 5 Geography Fits in with the Grade 5 Geography

unit for classroom and library unit for classroom and library instructioninstruction

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Give students an understanding of the Give students an understanding of the regions of the United Statesregions of the United States

Instruct students on different types of Instruct students on different types of maps through examplemaps through example

Allow students to work individually and as Allow students to work individually and as part of a group to complete projectpart of a group to complete project

Creation of a PowerPoint presentation to Creation of a PowerPoint presentation to continue with technological educationcontinue with technological education

RationaleRationale

Students benefit from working in Students benefit from working in groups, as well as researching groups, as well as researching individuallyindividually

Each student is responsible for a part Each student is responsible for a part of the final presentationof the final presentation

Enhanced presentation combines Enhanced presentation combines technology with the geography unittechnology with the geography unit

Content and CCCSContent and CCCS United States geographical regions, as researched within groupsUnited States geographical regions, as researched within groups

• Standard 6.6.B.1: Compare and contrast the physical and human Standard 6.6.B.1: Compare and contrast the physical and human characteristics of places in regions in New Jersey, the United States, characteristics of places in regions in New Jersey, the United States, and the world. and the world.

Individual states within those regions, as researched by each Individual states within those regions, as researched by each studentstudent• Standard 6.1.A.5: Examine current issues, events, or themes and relate Standard 6.1.A.5: Examine current issues, events, or themes and relate

them to past events. them to past events. • Standard 6.1.A.6: Formulate questions based on information needs Standard 6.1.A.6: Formulate questions based on information needs • Standard 6.1.A.7: Use effective strategies for locating information. Standard 6.1.A.7: Use effective strategies for locating information.

Inclusion of topographical and physical mapsInclusion of topographical and physical maps• Standard 6.6.A.6: Distinguish among the major map types, including Standard 6.6.A.6: Distinguish among the major map types, including

physical, political, topographic, and demographic. physical, political, topographic, and demographic.

Continued lesson in PowerPoint with presentation of all gathered Continued lesson in PowerPoint with presentation of all gathered informationinformation• Standard 8.1.A.8: Design and produce a basic multimedia project Standard 8.1.A.8: Design and produce a basic multimedia project • Standard 8.1.B.6: Choose appropriate tools and information resources Standard 8.1.B.6: Choose appropriate tools and information resources

to support research and solve real world problems, including but not to support research and solve real world problems, including but not limited to: limited to:

On-line resources and databasesOn-line resources and databases Search engines and subject directoriesSearch engines and subject directories

Daily Instruction: Days 1 & 2Daily Instruction: Days 1 & 2

Day 1:Day 1:• Students will begin in the classroom with an introductory Students will begin in the classroom with an introductory

lesson on the United States regionslesson on the United States regions• They will then be separated into specific regional groupsThey will then be separated into specific regional groups

Day 2:Day 2:• In the library, students will begin group research on their In the library, students will begin group research on their

region using both the internet and print resourcesregion using both the internet and print resources Receive Handout #1Receive Handout #1

• At the end of the lesson, they will choose an individual At the end of the lesson, they will choose an individual stat that they will be researching independentlystat that they will be researching independently

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United States Geography

Group Research: Regions

To begin your unit project on United States geography, you will be researching in

groups. You were given a region to search by your regular teacher. With your partners, you will begin researching using both print and internet resources. The

websites and questions below will help you get started. Resources to get you started:

FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html Sheppard Software USA game:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

Worldwide Geography Resources: http://www.WorldwideGeography.com

Name of your region: ________________________________________ What states belong to your region?: ________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ What is the typical climate in your region?: ___________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Is your region known for any special imports/exports? If so, what are they?: __________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ What else is your region known for?: ________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ List 6 facts about your region: ______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________


Day 3:Day 3:• Finish group researchFinish group research• Students will begin research on their individual state in Students will begin research on their individual state in

the librarythe library Receive Handout #2Receive Handout #2

• Region groups will meet to begin discussing their Region groups will meet to begin discussing their PowerPoint project and receive specific instructions on PowerPoint project and receive specific instructions on the presentationthe presentation

Receive Handout #3Receive Handout #3

Day 4:Day 4:• Research will conclude, and any last questions on Research will conclude, and any last questions on

research will be answeredresearch will be answered• Students will begin work on their PowerPoint Students will begin work on their PowerPoint

presentationspresentations


Individual State Research

Continuing on our geography unit, you will now be researching your own state within the region your group learned about yesterday. You may use the same websites and search engines, listed below. Please use the questions below to

get you started. Resources to get you started:

FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html Sheppard Software USA game:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

Worldwide Geography Resources: http://www.WorldwideGeography.com

Name of your state: ________________________________________ What it is the capital?: ______________________________________ When did your state join the union?: __________________________ Major imports/exports of your state:_________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Major historical or geographical landmarks:___________________________ ________________________________________________________________ List 5 fun facts about your state: ____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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PowerPoint Presentation

For the final part of your geography unit project, you will create a PowerPoint

presentation based on all the research you have completed. Your presentation should be between 6 and 10 slides long and include the following information:

• Title slide, with region name and all names of group members

• Region information, including a picture of your region and its states

• One (1) slide for each state in the group. This should include

information you researched and a topographical map of the state

• Works cited information on the last slide

Make sure you have the following elements in your presentation:

• Slide transitions, such as fading or dissolve

• Slide design, such as colors and borders

• Some animations, such as text entrance or exit

• Text font and color should be unique and readable

• At least one sound effect, anywhere in your presentation

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Day 5:Day 5:• Students will be given time to work on Students will be given time to work on

and complete their PowerPoint and complete their PowerPoint presentationspresentations

Day 6:Day 6:• The student groups will give their The student groups will give their

presentations to the classpresentations to the class

Materials Materials

In classroom:In classroom:• Social Studies textbookSocial Studies textbook

In library:In library:• Geography reference material for Geography reference material for

researchresearch• Computers for research and Computers for research and

presentationspresentations• Handouts (3) to guide research and give Handouts (3) to guide research and give

instruction for presentationsinstruction for presentations

AssessmentAssessment

Students will be graded on individual Students will be graded on individual contribution and overall group success:contribution and overall group success:• Individual research on region:Individual research on region: 10 points10 points• Individual research on state: Individual research on state: 10 points10 points• Contribution to presentation: Contribution to presentation: 10 points10 points• Accuracy and quality of information in Accuracy and quality of information in

presentation:presentation: 10 points 10 points• Overall presentation design: Overall presentation design: 10 points10 points

• Total assessment:Total assessment: 50 points50 points

Thank You Thank You

Special thanks to Special thanks to

the faculty and staff the faculty and staff

Presentation by:Presentation by:

Marie Louise LawsonMarie Louise Lawson

Education

Geography Unit Plan