Overview:

This lesson asks students to observe geographic patterns in the United States and to hypothesize about why these patterns might exist.

Objectives: Students will:

*Propose geographic reason for patterns of state boundaries and shapes, interstates, elevation, etc. they have researched using maps of the United States.

Grade Level: 6-8

Time: 1, 50-min. class periods

Subjects: Social Studies

Required Materials

*Atlases

*Overhead projector and a blank transparency

*”Group Assignments” hand out – class set and one transparency (provided)

Optional Technologies:

Suggested Procedure (Pedagogy):

-Opening (10 minutes):

1.      As students enter class, they will be directed to answer the focusing questions on the overhead:

“WHAT IS A PATTERN?  CAN WE OBSERVE PATTERNS IN GEOGRAPHY?  EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER”

            2.  Allow students time to write and share their answers

-Development (30 minutes):

1.      Explain to student that today in class they will be viewing maps of the United States and will be asked to identify different patterns within the United States they observe.

2.      Review the “Group Assignments” hand out with the class.

3.      Divide students into one of four groups and have them take their hand out and an atlas with them as they get into groups.

4.      The teacher will have groups one and three turn to a political map of the United States in their atlases.  Groups two and four should turn to a physical map of the United States.

5.      Allow groups time to observe in their atlases and discuss what they see.  Encourage the groups to have their hand out questions completed by a time limit the teacher indicates.

-Closing (10 minutes):

            1.  Have groups return to a corporate setting and share what they observed/answered.  Direct students to consider the focusing question at the beginning of class.  Do a “Round Robin” and have each student share in twenty words or less a “new” definition patterns, or a different example of a geographic pattern. 

STUDENT ACTIVITY – ON LINE:

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENTS:

See closing activity

STANDARD/S:

Geography - People and Culture: A student shall demonstrate understanding of how regions of the world are defined in terms of location, resources, people and culture, and physical features.

Credits

Ruth Thorsgaard