Title of Lesson: Be a Geography Observor and Recorder#126

National Standard: 4
The physical and human characteristics of place.
State Standard: 11

Teaching Level: E

Objective/Purpose:
- explore human and physical features in the school neighborhood

Materials: paper, pencil, art materials

Procedure: Option 1
1. Observe physical features and man made features.
2. Outside ask students to quietly look around and notice what they see. You may want to record student observations or have them record themsevles by making a collection of simple drawings on an "observation" sheet
3. Some suggestions for promting questions: Is the land flat?
When it rains where does the water go? Are there buildings nearby? Are there trees and plants? Could animals live near by? What objects did people build on the surrounding land?
4. Back in the classroom create a list of things students observed that are man made and a list of natural features
5. Encourage the students to share if they felt the surroundings were pleasant, pretty, busy, crowded? What would they see as improvements?
Option II
1. On a large piece of cardboard or a table top, create a large class bird's eye view model of the shool building and surrounding area. Use milk cartons stapled together for the building, paint the grass, pavement, etc.
2. Using readily available materials create playground equipment, trees and other prominent features

Evaluation/Assessment:
Are the students aware of both man made and natural features surrounding the school?

Reflection: How successful was this lesson? Did all students benefit? Were there any surprises? What might you do differently another time? Please note any changes that will make this lesson more effective and useful in the future and pass them along to the NHGA. We appreciate your comments.
Thank you.
The authors. *

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Original file name: 126rtf - converted on Tuesday, 20 October 1998, 20:55