A unit lesson plan on Geography for the fifth grade

1. Geography Unit Plan
Ms. Marie Louise Lawson
Librarian

2. The Geography Unit
 Intended for Grade 5 students
 Will utilize research and presentation
skills
 Focus on United States Geography to
introduce World Geography section
 Fits in with the Grade 5 Geography
unit for classroom and library
instruction

3. Goals and Objectives
 Give students an understanding of the
regions of the United States
 Instruct students on different types of
maps through example
 Allow students to work individually and as
part of a group to complete project
 Creation of a PowerPoint presentation to
continue with technological education

4. Rationale
 Students benefit from working in
groups, as well as researching
individually
 Each student is responsible for a part
of the final presentation
 Enhanced presentation combines
technology with the geography unit

5. Content and CCCS
 United States geographical regions, as researched within groups
• Standard 6.6.B.1: Compare and contrast the physical and human
characteristics of places in regions in New Jersey, the United States,
and the world.
 Individual states within those regions, as researched by each
student
• Standard 6.1.A.5: Examine current issues, events, or themes and
relate them to past events.
• Standard 6.1.A.6: Formulate questions based on information needs
• Standard 6.1.A.7: Use effective strategies for locating information.
 Inclusion of topographical and physical maps
• Standard 6.6.A.6: Distinguish among the major map types, including
physical, political, topographic, and demographic.
 Continued lesson in PowerPoint with presentation of all gathered
information
• Standard 8.1.A.8: Design and produce a basic multimedia project
• Standard 8.1.B.6: Choose appropriate tools and information resources
to support research and solve real world problems, including but not
limited to:
 On-line resources and databases
 Search engines and subject directories

6. Daily Instruction: Days 1 & 2
Day 1:
• Students will begin in the classroom with an
introductory lesson on the United States regions
• They will then be separated into specific regional groups
Day 2:
• In the library, students will begin group research on
their region using both the internet and print resources
 Receive Handout #1
• At the end of the lesson, they will choose an individual
stat that they will be researching independently

7. United States Geography
H
A
Group Research: Regions
N To begin your unit project on United States geography, you will be researching in
groups. You were given a region to search by your regular teacher. With your
partners, you will begin researching using both print and internet resources. The
D websites and questions below will help you get started.
Resources to get you started:
O FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html
Sheppard Software USA game:
U
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
Worldwide Geography Resources:
http://www.WorldwideGeography.com
T Name of your region: ________________________________________
What states belong to your region?: ________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is the typical climate in your region?: ___________________________
1
________________________________________________________________
Is your region known for any special imports/exports? If so, what are
they?: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What else is your region known for?: ________________________________
________________________________________________________________
List 6 facts about your region: ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________

8. Daily Instruction: Days 3 & 4
Day 3:
• Finish group research
• Students will begin research on their individual state in
the library
 Receive Handout #2
• Region groups will meet to begin discussing their
PowerPoint project and receive specific instructions on
the presentation
 Receive Handout #3
Day 4:
• Research will conclude, and any last questions on
research will be answered
• Students will begin work on their PowerPoint
presentations

9. United States Geography
H
A
Individual State Research
N
Continuing on our geography unit, you will now be researching your own state
D within the region your group learned about yesterday. You may use the same
websites and search engines, listed below. Please use the questions below to
get you started.
O Resources to get you started:
FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html
U Sheppard Software USA game:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
T Worldwide Geography Resources:
http://www.WorldwideGeography.com
Name of your state: ________________________________________
What it is the capital?: ______________________________________
2 When did your state join the union?: __________________________
Major imports/exports of your state:_________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Major historical or geographical landmarks:___________________________
________________________________________________________________
List 5 fun facts about your state: ____________________________________
________________________________________________________________

10. United States Geography
H
A
N PowerPoint Presentation
D For the final part of your geography unit project, you will create a PowerPoint
presentation based on all the research you have completed. Your presentation
should be between 6 and 10 slides long and include the following information:
O
• Title slide, with region name and all names of group members
U • Region information, including a picture of your region and its states
• One (1) slide for each state in the group. This should include
T
information you researched and a topographical map of the state
• Works cited information on the last slide
Make sure you have the following elements in your presentation:
• Slide transitions, such as fading or dissolve
3 • Slide design, such as colors and borders
• Some animations, such as text entrance or exit
• Text font and color should be unique and readable
• At least one sound effect, anywhere in your presentation

11. Daily Instruction: Days 5 & 6
Day 5:
• Students will be given time to work on
and complete their PowerPoint
presentations
Day 6:
• The student groups will give their
presentations to the class

12. Materials
 In classroom:
• Social Studies textbook
 In library:
• Geography reference material for
research
• Computers for research and
presentations
• Handouts (3) to guide research and give
instruction for presentations

13. Assessment
 Students will be graded on individual
contribution and overall group success:
• Individual research on region: 10 points
• Individual research on state: 10 points
• Contribution to presentation: 10 points
• Accuracy and quality of information in
presentation: 10 points
• Overall presentation design: 10 points
• Total assessment: 50 points

14. Thank You
Special thanks to
the faculty and staff
Presentation by:
Marie Louise Lawson