Texas Geography Lesson

Materials/Equipment: Regions of Texas

Youtube video, Texas map worksheet, Texas

map questions worksheet, Scribblemaps on
Elmo, play dough, manila paper, index cards,
blank Texas map, dictionary, RLA journals

Curriculum Integration:
Music
Social Studies
Science
Technology
Writing

Math
Reading
Theatre
Art

PE
Health

TEKS Achieved: 113.15: (b)(7A),

(b)(8B), (b)(8C)

Differentiated Learning:
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Verbal/Linguistic
Intrapersonal

Visual/Spatial
Logical/Math
Musical
Interpersonal

Blooms Taxonomy:

Knowledge/Remember
Analysis
Comprehension/Understand Evaluate
Application
Create

Classroom Strategies:

Cooperative Groups
Hands-On
Technology
Centers
Independent Activities Simulation
Charts/Graphs/Maps
Lecture
Problem Solving
Wholegroup
Peer tutoring
Pairing

Submitted by: Christine Gatlin

Grade Level: 4th

Subject/Topic: Social Studies

Rationale: Students will be able to read a map of Texas and locate surrounding bodies of water, cities, landmarks,
landforms, and states.

Objectives:

(Statements about what the children will do, written out as the student will. Include objectives for
your chosen content area(s). Refer to the TEKS and ELPS. The number of objectives should meet the number of TEKS and
ELPS)

TSW apply geographic tools, including grid systems, legends, symbols, scales, and compass
roses, to construct and interpret maps
TSW describe and explain the location and distribution of various towns and cities in Texas.
TSW explain the geographic factors such as landforms and climate that influence patterns of
settlement and the distribution of population in Texas.

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (Anticipatory Set/Motivation):

(Write what CREATIVE, COMPELLING thing you will say or do to immediately grab the childrens attention and interest.)

1.

Provide each student with a ball of play dough and a piece of manila paper, which will serve
as a map mat or work space. Ask the students to close their eyes and picture the unique
shape of the state of Texas. Ask them to explain why picturing the shape of Texas may be
easier for some students than for others.
2. Have the students describe what they see in their minds as a mental map of Texas (colors,
landforms, vegetation, etc.). Now students will use the play dough to create a model of the
shape of Texas on their map mat. When they are finished (5 minutes at the most), have
the students look at a map of Texas and compare their models to the map. Ask questions
such as:
a. Does your model look like the Texas on the map?
b. What differences do you see between your map and the physical map?
c. How do you think Texas got its shape? (rivers border that curve and bend, the
ragged coastline, and straight borders)

Process: (Plan how you will teach the lesson and follow the lesson plan cycle: Information Giving, Modeling, Check
for Understanding, Guided Practice, Independent Practice, Closure/Culminating Activity)

Information Giving: Play the video Regions of Texas. As the video is playing, read the
animation out loud so all students are able to follow along and not miss anything. If it goes
too fast, pause it and finish reading. At the end there is a quiz you can take with the
students that gives a great review of the information in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWDERuhNCFk
While the students are examining the physical map, have the virtual map on the Elmo and
click on different locations and read the information about them.
http://mrnussbaum.com/united-states/texas/
Modeling: On the Elmo, show the students Scribblemaps using the Hybrid link on the lower
right side of the map to see the physical features of Texas. Ask the students what the
map shows (borders, physical features, colors, etc.) Ask the students if all maps are the
same. Zoom in and out and ask the students what this does. Then zoom in on the state of
Texas and examine features. Ask them why they think many cities are located near bodies
of water.
https://www.scribblemaps.com/create/
Check for Understanding: After watching the video, have the students make their four
square vocabulary terms box in their RLA journal for the two terms: geography and legend.
Have them write the word, give the part of speech, the definition, and the word used in a
sentence. After 5 or so minutes go over the two words.
While examining the two maps, ask them questions such as: How is this map different from
the Scribblemaps? How does geography affect our lives? How does where you live affect
how you live?
I will also check for understanding by walking around and making sure they are answering
the map questions correctly.
Guided Practice: After comparing the two maps and asking questions, have the students
work with their tables to examine the Texas Map worksheet and answer the questions on
the Texas Map Questions worksheet.
Independent Practice: Although the students can work together to find the answers to
the map questions, they must answer their questions on their own worksheet because it
will be taken as a grade. If the students arent able to work together appropriately, I will
make it independent work.

Closure: End the lesson by having the students complete a 3, 2, 1 on an index card. This
will include 3 facts you learned about the map of Texas today, 2 questions you have, and 1
thing you wonder or are curious about.
Enrichment/Extension: After learning about the geography of Texas, begin discussing the
four regions of Texas. Have them create a four regions of Texas foldable, where they will
have a Texas map cut into the four main regions: Great Plains, North Central Plains,
Mountains and Basins, and Coastal Plains. Have them explain each region by opening the
flap and explaining features and cities in each region.
Accommodations:
1.

2.

(what YOU will do to modify your lesson)

(for a child with special needs) I will allow the student to complete the Texas map questions on a computer. I will
also allow them to examine scribblemaps and the other map on the computer, so they can zoom in and out and type
instead of write on their own.
(for a student that is an ELL) I will provide them with Texas map questions that include multiple choice or
matching options, instead of having to write out each of their answers.

Assessment/Evaluation (Students):

I will evaluate the students by making sure they are answering the
questions on the Texas Map questions correctly. I will also check for understanding by asking questions throughout the
lesson while we are examining the different maps. I will also have them complete 3-2-1 cards to check for understanding and
see if they have any questions about the geography of Texas.

Assessment/Evaluation (Self):

I will assess that the students are responding to the questions I ask while
examining the maps. I will examine and make sure that students are using the play dough appropriately and arent playing
around with it and it is an effective tool to use in the future. I will make sure the students are understanding the questions
about the map. I will also review over the 3-2-1 cards and try to answer all the questions the students have the next day.