4th Grade Social Studies Unit 1

Big Idea:

Use geographic tools to locate, examine, explore and compare the different geographic regions of Texas. Understand the physical features of the different regions of Texas.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

4.6(A) [Readiness] Apply geographic tools, including grid systems, legends, symbols, scales, and compass roses, to construct and interpret maps.

4.7(B) [Supporting] Identify, locate, and compare the geographic regions of Texas (Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, Coastal Plains), including their landforms, climate, and vegetation.

Focus TEKS

4.6(B) [Supporting] Translate geographic data, population distribution, and natural resources into a variety of formats such as graphs and maps.

4.7(A) [Readiness] Describe a variety of regions in Texas and the United States such as political, population, and economic regions that result from patterns of human activity.

4.7(C) [Supporting] Compare the geographic regions of Texas (Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, Coastal Plains) with regions of the United States and other parts of the world.

4.8(C) [Supporting] Explain the geographic factors such as landforms and climate that influence patterns of settlement and the distribution of population in Texas, past and present.

4.21(C) [Ways to Show] Organize and interpret information in outlines, reports, databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts, timelines, and maps.

Ongoing TEKS

4.8(B) [Supporting] Describe and explain the location and distribution of various towns and cities in Texas, past and present.

4.12(A) [Readiness] Explain how people in different regions of Texas earn their living, past and present, through a subsistence economy and providing goods and services.

4.12(B) [Supporting] Explain how geographic factors such as climate, transportation, and natural resources have influenced the location of economic activities in Texas.

4.21(B) [Ways to Show] Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.

4.22(D) [Ways to Show] Create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies.

Student Learning Targets:

• I will use geographic tools (compass rose, symbols, legend, grid system, and scale) to read a map.
• I will use geographic tools(compass rose, symbols, legend, grid system, and scale) to construct a map.
• I will locate each region of Texas.
• I will identify each region of Texas based on its landforms, climate, and vegetation.
• I will explain the similarities and differences of each geographic region of Texas. (Writing)

Essential Questions:

• How do you use geographic tools to examine the geography of Texas?
• What are the regions of Texas, and where are they located?
• What are the physical features of the regions?
• How do the regions of Texas compare to each other?
• How do the geographic features influence patterns of settlement in Texas in the past and present?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook: American Legacy, Studies Weekly

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center