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: ______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
Daily Instruction: Days 3 & 4Daily Instruction: Days 3 & 4
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
United States Geography
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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United States Geography
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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Daily Instruction: Days 5 & 6Daily Instruction: Days 5 & 6
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