Wayne RESA

Unit PlannerSocial Studies 4

Wayne RESA – SS / Grade 4 / Social Studies / Social Studies 4 / Week 4 - Week 10
RESA, MAISA MC3 Units
Unit Abstract

In this unit students explore the United States through the social studies discipline of geography. In exploring the United States in spatial terms, students first consider the location of the United States. They learn about and use a variety of geographic tools such as maps, globes, and satellite images to answer the question “Where is the United States?” Next, students examine the concept of place relative to the United States. They use songs, stories, photographs, and aerial images to investigate the question, “What is it like there?” and to describe significant physical and human characteristics. Students also use the concept of regions to compare sections of the United States. They build on their understanding that regions are defined by common characteristics and explore ways in which the United States can be divided into regions. Students then compare a region to which Michigan belongs with other regions in the United States using special purpose maps. In doing so, students examine geographic features such as elevation, climate, and patterns of population density in the United States. As a culminating project, students summarize what they have learned by creating a poster, picture book, PowerPoint slide show or other visual describing the United States according to the geographic themes of location, place, and regions.

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Stage One - Desired Results

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Standards
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Compelling Question

How does the geography of the United States affect the way people live?

Supporting Questions
  1. What questions would geographers ask in examining the United States?
  2. What tools and technologies would geographers use to answer geographic questions?
  3. How might the United States be described using the concepts of location, place, and regions?
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Content (Key Concepts)

absolute location

climate

elevation

human and physical characteristics of place

political boundaries

population density

regions

relative location

spatial perspective

special purpose maps

topography

 

Skills (Intellectual Processes)

Classifying/Grouping

Compare and Contrast

Evidentiary Argument

Researching

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Stage Two - Assessment Evidence

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Unit Assessment Tasks
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Stage Three - Learning Plan

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Lesson Plan Sequence
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Resources
  • Box of thick markers (at least 6 different colors)
  • Chart paper
  • Computer with Internet access
  • Geographer’s Hat from Unit 1
  • Globe
  • Large U.S map (political and physical) or desk maps
  • Overhead projector or Document Camera and Projector
  • Sticky Notes
  • World Map
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Expectations/Standards
MI: Social Studies (2007)
4th Grade
Geography
G1 The World in Spatial Terms
Use geographic representations to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
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K-4
4 – G1.0.1 Identify questions geographers ask in examining the United States (e.g., Where it is? What is it like there? How is it connected to other places?).
4 – G1.0.2 Use cardinal and intermediate directions to describe the relative location of significant places in the United States.
4 – G1.0.3 Identify and describe the characteristics and purposes (e.g., measure distance, determine relative location, classify a region) of a variety of geographic tools and technologies (e.g., globe, map, satellite image).
4 – G1.0.4 Use geographic tools and technologies, stories, songs, and pictures to answer geographic questions about the United States.
4 – G1.0.5 Use maps to describe elevation, climate, and patterns of population density in the United States.
G2 Places and Regions
Understand how regions are created from common physical and human characteristics.
4 – G2.0.1 Describe ways in which the United States can be divided into different regions (e.g., political regions, economic regions, landform regions, vegetation regions).
4 – G2.0.2 Compare human and physical characteristics of a region to which Michigan belongs (e.g., Great Lakes, Midwest) with those of another region in the United States.
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