Lesson Plan

Tricia Warren and Jessie Lewis

Unit Topic: Regions of the United States

Grade: 4

 

Lesson Topic: Western Region

Lesson Objectives: Given a map of the Western region of the United States and information on each state students will be able to identify the eleven states in the region and the major landmarks in the states, for all states given.

Instructional Technique: Lecture then group work

Instructional Materials: http://mrnussbaum.com/united-states/west/,  handout, flashcards/matching game, https://www.purposegames.com/game/the-western-states-quiz

Theoretical Perspective: It is important for the students to learn about different regions of the United States besides the one that they live in, and how those regions are composed (landmarks, terrain, climate). This will give them a grasp of United States geography especially state names and locations that will allow them to better picture where current events are happening. It will allow them to better picture the physical areas that current events are occurring in.

Procedure:

Step by step procedure:

●     Begin by asking questions to gauge prior knowledge (ex. When you hear the word region what do you think of?)

●     Begin lecture on Western region, what states make up the western region, and the major landmarks in the states.

●     Split students up into even groups, and hand out matching game. Work with students to help them through the matching game to further introduce the area.

●     Keeping students in groups have them work on the hand out which describes how to get to the website.

●     Students will work together to answer all eight questions on the handout, the answers can be found in the interactive map.

Closure:

●     Collect the handouts from the students

●     Go over the correct answers to the handout questions

Adaptations:

●     Non-native speakers could receive the handout in their native language

●     Special education teacher/para would help the students who might struggle with the reading at a separate table

Homework:

●     Each student picks a favorite landmark and completes little write up of what they found interesting about the landmark.

Evaluation:

1. Given a map of the Western region of the United States and information on each state students will be able to identify the eleven states in the region and the major landmarks in the states, for all states given.

●     Have students use a website to identify the different states in the region such as (https://www.purposegames.com/game/the-western-states-quiz)

●     The landmark write up homework will also be used as an evaluation tool

B. Making sure that all of the students wind up at the same website, that the students are doing what they are supposed to be doing and not fooling around with the computers/ipads.

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