The Four Regions of Virginia

Target Curriculum: History and Social Science

Target Grade: 4 - 4

SOLs: HSS.4.2  
Time: 2 / 60 minute lessons

Objective:
The students will design a 3 dimensional map of Virginia to include the four regions and a graphic organizer of the details from each region.

Purpose:
To give students the opportunity to construct a map to include map key and compass rose. The students will then be able to interpret their graphic organizers of details and explain the geographical details of each region.

Materials:
A black line map of Virginia, four different colors of tissue paper, and a graphic organizer.

Procedure:
Students will complete a graphic organizer to include the four regions of Virginia. Information about each region will be found in class the Social Studies Book and from the web site Welcome to Virginia: Now and Then. The black line map of Virginia will be divided into four regions and a different color of tissue paper will be glued on each region. We selected yellow for the Tidewater Region to remind us of sand and the coastal plains. We made rolling hills out of green tissue paper for the Piedmont Region, to remind us of the plateau (the rolling hills), plus we made a house to show that we live in the Piedmont Region. We used blue tissue paper made into little balls for the Ridge and Valley Region to remind us of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On top of the blue tissue paper we glued black specks on top to represent the Appalachian Plateau and the black was to help us to remember the coal mines in that region. When students were finished they presented their maps orally to the class and reported the details about the region they would like to visit.

Observations:
The teacher will observe students gathering details about the regions, they compared the regions deciding which Region they would like to visit. Using all the above constructed beautiful maps.

Conclusions:
The students will be able to create a map and compile information using a graphic organizer. Demonstrating an efficient way to compare details.

For Your Information:
My students really enjoyed this project. Fourth graders love to make things and they were proud of their maps and the information they had collected.

Extension:
1. The students used their maps throughout the lesson about regions referring to information gathered and adding to their graphic organizers as we learned more about Virginia.

Class Discussion Questions:
1. Which regions would you like to visit? What landforms attracted you to that region? What regions have you visited before?