Lesson+Plan

Subject: Geography Grade level: 3


 * Overview: **

This week's lesson is on geography. Students will identify the five regions of the United States as well as the states that lie within each region. They will also name and locate the continents and major oceans in the world. Using the computer, globes, maps, and arts and craft supplies, they will be creating charts, lists, a concept map, and models of the world to apply their understanding of physical geography.


 * Standards: **

SS.3.G.1.3. Label the continents and oceans on a world map SS.3.G.2.2. Identify the five regions of the United States SS.3.G.2.3. Label the states in each of the five regions of the United States


 * Analyze Learners: **


 * Students are in 3rd grade, between the ages of 8 and 9
 * Almost even number of boys and girls
 * Different backgrounds: Caucasian, African American, Asian, Native American
 * Several different learning styles: Visual, auditory, kinesthetic
 * At least one or more students have a learning disability


 * State Objectives **:


 * Using a computer, students will create a chart that shows what they know about the topic, what they want to know, and what they have learned by the end of the week.
 * Using Microsoft Excel and the Inspiration program, students will locate and label the regions of the United States and the states that are within each region with 90% accuracy.
 * Given globes and maps, students will correctly identify the continents and oceans in the world by the end of the week.
 * Given maps and a balloon, students will locate each continent and ocean and create their own model of the world with 95% accuracy.

In Bloom's Taxonomy, knowledge, comprehension, application, and synthesis are incorporated into this lesson plan. Students will acquire and remember knowledge when the information is first taught, understand what they are learning by practicing what they know, apply what they are learning by performing tasks in the different activities, and finally, form their own interpretations by creating models of the world on their own.


 * Select Media and Materials: **


 * Computer
 * Microsoft Word, Excel, and Inspiration programs
 * Globe and maps
 * Glue
 * Construction paper
 * Paper and pencil
 * Balloon
 * Permanent marker


 * Utilize Media and Materials: **
 * Students create a KWL chart using Microsoft Word to list things that they know and want to know about the topic
 * On a sheet of paper, they then write 10 things they notice about the United States and continents after observing a globe or map
 * Students use Microsoft Excel and Inspiration program to first choose a region of the United States and create a concept web, and then to list all the regions and states that belong to each region
 * They use the computer to complete a crossword puzzle created in a document with help from an online map
 * Students use construction paper to glue pre-cut continents onto the paper and then label each continent in the correct shape. Afterward, they use the computer along with their paper map to create a chart that shows the name of the continents, what the student thinks each looks like, and a way each student can remember the location of each continent.
 * After blowing up a balloon, each student carefully draws the 7 seven continents using a permanent marker. They get into groups of 2 to compare their balloon globes and using Microsoft Word, work together to list at least 5 things about the appearance and location for a continent of their choice.
 * At the end of the week, each student goes back to their KWL charts created on Microsoft Word to list things that they have learned throughout the week


 * Require Learner Participation: **

To ensure that every student participates in the lessons and activities, each student completes or creates at least one of his/her own activities each day for the week. Students must follow the directions to individually make a KWL chart on the computer and write facts about what they see on a globe or map. They use Excel and Inspiration to organize and create a chart and concept web as well as fill-in a crossword puzzle by themselves. Later, students each construct a world map to the best of their ability and list the appearance of the continents and ways to remember the location of each. Students then draw their own model of the globe using a balloon. Then they work with a partner to compare each others' globes and together, come up with things that they observed about the continent they chose. To make sure all students are equally participating with their partners, each student will fill out a partner evaluation card to grade their partner's participation. This way, participation for each student is more known and can be more easily assessed.


 * Evaluate and Revise: **

Each student will be evaluated using a rubric. This rubric assesses a student's ability to: work independently, show teamwork skills, complete assignments, create diagrams accurately, demonstrate connections by applying the information, and show expertise of information. Please download this file to access this lesson's rubric: