American Midwest Unit - 5th Grade Geography
This unit is based on the Prince William County Curriculum Framework for 5th Grade Geography Standards of Learning
Including a variety of independent and group activities, these lesson plans are all supplemented by the textbook for 5th Grade North American Geography as well as other web resources.
This unit covers specifically:
Standards that are covered within this Unit Plan Include:
North American Geography 5.5 a-d
The student will explore the Midwest region of the United States by
a. locating the Midwest region on a map and identifying key political features
b. explaining the physical and climate characteristics of the Midwest region
c. analyzing the natural resources and economic activity of the Midwest region
d. describing the population of the Midwest including: early settlement, historically significant events and places, and cultural characteristics
Linking Units:
Science 5.7
Math 5.15
The student, given a problem situation, will collect, organize, and interpret data in a variety of forms, using stem-and-leaf plots and line graphs.
Website Created by: Katheryn Welsh-Levett
George Mason University 2012
Including a variety of independent and group activities, these lesson plans are all supplemented by the textbook for 5th Grade North American Geography as well as other web resources.
This unit covers specifically:
- Using Maps: geographical and thematic (population and land use)
- Locating cities, states and their major features
- The economy of the midwest - industry and agriculture
- Droughts and the impact of the Dust Bowl on the Midwest
- Historically Significant Events: Louisiana Purchase, Homestead Act, Transcontinental Railroad and Lewis and Clark's Expedition
Standards that are covered within this Unit Plan Include:
North American Geography 5.5 a-d
The student will explore the Midwest region of the United States by
a. locating the Midwest region on a map and identifying key political features
b. explaining the physical and climate characteristics of the Midwest region
c. analyzing the natural resources and economic activity of the Midwest region
d. describing the population of the Midwest including: early settlement, historically significant events and places, and cultural characteristics
Linking Units:
Science 5.7
- The student will investigate and understand how Earth’s surface is constantly changing. Key concepts include
c) Earth history and fossil evidence;
f) weathering, erosion, and deposition; and
g) human impact.
- English 5.5
- The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
a) Describe the relationship between text and previously read materials.
c) Describe the development of plot and explain the resolution of conflict(s).
d) Describe the characteristics of free verse, rhymed, and patterned poetry.
e) Describe how an author’s choice of vocabulary contributes to the author’s style.
f) Identify and ask questions that clarify various points of view.
g) Identify main idea.
h) Summarize supporting details from text.
i) Draw conclusions and make inferences from text.
j) Identify cause and effect relationships.
- English 5.9
- The student will find, evaluate, and select appropriate resources for a research product.
- a) Construct questions about a topic.
b) Collect information from multiple resources including online, print, and media.
c) Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
d) Organize information presented on charts, maps, and graphs.
e) Develop notes that include important concepts, summaries, and identification of information sources.
f) Give credit to sources used in research.
g) Define the meaning and consequences of plagiarism.
Math 5.15
The student, given a problem situation, will collect, organize, and interpret data in a variety of forms, using stem-and-leaf plots and line graphs.
Website Created by: Katheryn Welsh-Levett
George Mason University 2012