South America: Geography's Effect on People's Lifestyle and Work

Created by:

Patricia Louis

Title/Role:

School Librarian

Organization/School Name:

Aliamanu Elementary School

Location:

Hawaii

Grade Level:

Type of Lesson:

Lesson in a unit

Type of Schedule:

Combination

Collaboration Continuum:

Moderate

Content Area:

Social studies

Content Topic:

Landforms and their influence on societies.

Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

Skills Indicator(s):

1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry.

3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.

Dispositions Indicator(s):

2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning.

Responsibilities Indicator(s):

1.3.5 Use information technology responsibly.

Self-Assessment Strategies Indicator(s):

1.4.1 Monitor own information-seeking processes for effectiveness and progress, and adapt as necessary.

Scenario:

This lesson is part of a larger unit on students’ investigation of countries on different continents and how landforms influence and impact how people interact with their environment. In this instance, they are introduced to a new digital tool, Google Earth, to identify key features of the landforms represented in different countries of South America. The students define and explore the geographical concept of landforms in the classroom with the teacher. In the library, the LMS has the students use Google Earth and Britannica Online to explore and research how landforms in South America impact how people live and work. The fixed/flex library schedule allows the teacher and the LMS to schedule the lessons and complete the unit within a two week period.

Overview:

The essential questions are: What are landforms? Which landforms do we find in South American countries? How do landforms determine how people live and work in South American countries?

Final Product:

Students produce maps of different South American countries that combine physical and topographic characteristics along with notes on economic features of the country. Students will be assessed using a physical, political and topographic map of South America and economic country summaries from Britannica Online.

Library Lesson:

Students in grade three use Google Earth and Britannica Online to (1) draw and label the major landforms on a map of a specific South American country, (2) provide information on how landforms influence people’s lifestyles and work in that country using a note-taking sheet, and (3) cite information sources used.

Estimated Lesson Time:

60 minutes

Assessment

Product:

Students complete maps of different South American countries with accurate depictions of landforms and accompanying notes on how the landforms impact the lifestyles and work in a specific country.

Process:

Students compose exit passes that briefly describe specific tasks well done or problems that they must overcome in relation to their work.

Student self-questioning:

How did I use the online tools to produce my map and notes? Did I do a good job of identifying the landforms in my country? How did I connect the landforms with the way people live and work in that country?

Instructional Plan

Resources students will use:

Dataset (ie. lists, tables, databases)

Interactive Resource (i.e. webpages, multimedia learning objects, chat services)

Interactive Resource URL:

http://earth.google.com

Resources instructor will use:

Projector

Laptop

Smart board

Instruction/Activities

Direct instruction:

The teacher reviews geographic concept of landforms with students. Students identify the different types of landforms and write them on the Smart board. The LMS introduces Google Earth to students. She demonstrates features (search bar, navigation tools, map) of Google Earth to students using a computer and Smart board.

Modeling and guided practice:

The LMS distributes the “Where in South America?” Outline Map Template to the students. She uses Google Earth to show an outline map of South America. Students work in pairs to identify the correct country (Peru) based on the shape of the country and the posted Google Earth image. The LMS demonstrates how to use Google Earth to identify the landforms of Peru. She models how to draw and label the Peru landforms found on Google Earth onto their “Where in South America?” Outline Map Template. She shows students how to correctly cite the Google Earth resource. Students work as a class to identify, draw, and label the landforms of Peru on their “Where in South America?” Outline Map Template. The LMS and teacher circulate to provide feedback and assistance where needed.

Independent practice:

Teams select another South American country to research. The LMS distributes blank outline maps of selected South American countries to the teams. Teams research the landforms of their selected country and cite their source. They use Google Earth to identify the country, draw, and label the landforms on their selected map. The LMS and teacher circulate to provide feedback and assistance where needed.

Have you taught this lesson before:

Yes

Strategies for differentiation:

The teacher and LMS allow students to team and assist one another with technical aspects of the work.