Geography Unit Plan
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This geography unit plan involves students researching and presenting on United States geography in groups. Over six days, students will: 1) research their assigned region in groups, 2) research an individual state, and 3) create a PowerPoint presentation combining their findings. The goal is to teach students about US geography and develop their research, presentation, and technology skills. Students will be assessed based on their individual and group work.
Geography Unit Plan
- 1. Geography Unit Plan Ms. Marie Louise Lawson Librarian
- 2. The Geography Unit Intended for Grade 5 students Will utilize research and presentation skills Focus on United States Geography to introduce World Geography section Fits in with the Grade 5 Geography unit for classroom and library instruction
- 3. Goals and Objectives Give students an understanding of the regions of the United States Instruct students on different types of maps through example Allow students to work individually and as part of a group to complete project Creation of a PowerPoint presentation to continue with technological education
- 4. Rationale Students benefit from working in groups, as well as researching individually Each student is responsible for a part of the final presentation Enhanced presentation combines technology with the geography unit
- 5. Content and CCCS United States geographical regions, as researched within groups • Standard 6.6.B.1: Compare and contrast the physical and human characteristics of places in regions in New Jersey, the United States, and the world. Individual states within those regions, as researched by each student • Standard 6.1.A.5: Examine current issues, events, or themes and relate them to past events. • Standard 6.1.A.6: Formulate questions based on information needs • Standard 6.1.A.7: Use effective strategies for locating information. Inclusion of topographical and physical maps • Standard 6.6.A.6: Distinguish among the major map types, including physical, political, topographic, and demographic. Continued lesson in PowerPoint with presentation of all gathered information • Standard 8.1.A.8: Design and produce a basic multimedia project • Standard 8.1.B.6: Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems, including but not limited to: On-line resources and databases Search engines and subject directories
- 6. Daily Instruction: Days 1 & 2 Day 1: • Students will begin in the classroom with an introductory lesson on the United States regions • They will then be separated into specific regional groups Day 2: • In the library, students will begin group research on their region using both the internet and print resources Receive Handout #1 • At the end of the lesson, they will choose an individual stat that they will be researching independently
- 7. United States Geography H A Group Research: Regions N 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 D websites and questions below will help you get started. Resources to get you started: O FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html Sheppard Software USA game: U http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm Worldwide Geography Resources: http://www.WorldwideGeography.com T Name of your region: ________________________________________ What states belong to your region?: ________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ What is the typical climate in your region?: ___________________________ 1 ________________________________________________________________ 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: ______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
- 8. Daily Instruction: Days 3 & 4 Day 3: • Finish group research • Students will begin research on their individual state in the library Receive Handout #2 • Region groups will meet to begin discussing their PowerPoint project and receive specific instructions on the presentation Receive Handout #3 Day 4: • Research will conclude, and any last questions on research will be answered • Students will begin work on their PowerPoint presentations
- 9. United States Geography H A Individual State Research N Continuing on our geography unit, you will now be researching your own state D 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. O Resources to get you started: FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html U Sheppard Software USA game: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm T Worldwide Geography Resources: http://www.WorldwideGeography.com Name of your state: ________________________________________ What it is the capital?: ______________________________________ 2 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: ____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
- 10. United States Geography H A N PowerPoint Presentation D 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: O • Title slide, with region name and all names of group members U • Region information, including a picture of your region and its states • One (1) slide for each state in the group. This should include T 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 3 • 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
- 11. Daily Instruction: Days 5 & 6 Day 5: • Students will be given time to work on and complete their PowerPoint presentations Day 6: • The student groups will give their presentations to the class
- 12. Materials In classroom: • Social Studies textbook In library: • Geography reference material for research • Computers for research and presentations • Handouts (3) to guide research and give instruction for presentations
- 13. Assessment Students will be graded on individual contribution and overall group success: • Individual research on region: 10 points • Individual research on state: 10 points • Contribution to presentation: 10 points • Accuracy and quality of information in presentation: 10 points • Overall presentation design: 10 points • Total assessment: 50 points
- 14. Thank You Special thanks to the faculty and staff Presentation by: Marie Louise Lawson