Adirondack Curriculum Project

Adirondack Curriculum Project - www.adkcurriculumproject.org

NYS Content Area Standard

ELA 1. Language for info & understanding

Social Studies 3. Geography

Title: Identifying Adirondack Geographical Features

Grade Level: 2nd

Author: Margaret O'Leary

Email: oltup@verizon.net

Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
_X_ Natural History
___ Human History
___ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: What Adirondack geographical features can we identify from our school's nature trails and surrounding views?

Challenge:

Context for challenge: This challenge is a culminating activity to a unit on geographical terms. It assumes that the teacher and class have access to the natural and cultural resources mentioned below. Before starting this challenge, students might make a vocabulary booklet of geographical terms potentially relevant to the Adirondacks. Among the terms included might be river, stream, mountain, hill, valley, forest, glacier, marsh, bog, pond, and waterfall.The teacher might then show pictures taken in the Adirondacks and other areas of the geographical features listed and discuss each. Students can then write each term, its definition, and illustrate it.

Next the class will go out on the school's nature trails and look for any of the geographical features they have been learning about. The children should record/illustrate their observations in their nature journals.

On a different day the class will take a field trip to the Wild Center where we will watch the panoramic movie about the Adirondacks. After the movie we will discuss what geographical features we noticed in the movie. Next we will walk through the museum and children will observe all of the replicas of geographical features and record/illustrate in their nature journals any additional information they learn about the vocabulary words.

The Challenge:
In teams of 2 create, create a diorama out of model magic and any other materials available in the classroom that represent geographical features of the Adirondacks that we can see on our school's nature trails and surrounding views. Be as creative as you can in using the materials we have to make your diorama.

As you plan your work, please make sure your diorama meets the following guidelines:

1) The diorama depicts only those geographic features visible from our school's nature trails and surrounding area.
2) The diorama is made from model magic
3) The diorama is neat, colorful and painted accurately
4) The features of the diorama are proportional to each other. For instance, a stream is smaller than a river, a mountain larger than a hill.
5) Each geographical feature is accurately labeled using correct spelling

After completing your diorama on time, each member of your team should be prepared to present your work to the class. In your brief presentation be sure to you explain what each physical feature is on your diorama and how one feature differs from the others. Be ready to answer questions about your work. When speaking you should model the criteria for quality speaking.

Student Handout

Quality Standards:

The Diorama

The diorama depicts only those geographic features visible from our school's nature trails and surrounding area
The diorama is made from model magic
The diorama is neat, colorful and painted accurately
The features of the diorama are proportional to each other. For instance, a stream is smaller than a river, a mountain larger than a hill.
Each geographical feature is accurately labeled using correct spelling
There is evidence of creativity in the use of available materials in the display
The diorama is complete on time

The Presentation

Presenters identify the features of the diorama accurately and can explain how one feature differs from another
The presenters display their diorama so everyone can see it
The presenters model the criteria for quality speaking (see Product Quality Checklist)

Examples of Student Work

Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________ Class Period: ________

Product Author(s):

Identifying Adirondack Geographical Features

Evaluator Name(s)

Observed	Standard/Criteria	Possible Points	Rating
	Diorama Model
	The diorama clearly depicts only those geographic features visible from our school's nature trails and surrounding area (i.e mountain, river, valley, stream, forest)	40
	Features are painted accuratelyand are sized proportionally to each other.	20
	Features are labeled correctly and with correct spellings	5
	Completed on time.	5
	Diorama shows some creativity evidenced by materials used and the display.	10
	Presentation
	Students speak clearly and in audible voices.	5
	Students take turns explaining why they included each feature and point to the correct feature.	5
	Students respond appropriately to questions.	5
	Students present the display so it can be seen clearly by the audience.	5

	TOTALS	100

nyga Produced at the 2008 Adirondack Geography Institute; revised & edited by the ACP.
Comments:
Dioramas will be displayed in the school's window display case at the entrance to the school. Parents will be encouraged to come to school and observe the dioramas.

Suggested book resources:
Geography from A-Z a picture glossary by Jack Knowlton
In Blue Mountains Thomas Locker and other Thomas Locker books

National Geography Standards
Std.3 How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface.
Std.4 The physical and human characteristics of places.
NYS Social Studies Standard 3 Geography: Key idea 1 and 2 Performance indicator SS3: Students describe the physical characteristics of the Earth's surface. Key idea SS3.C.2A Plan, organize, and present geographical research projects. Performance Indicator SS3.C.2C Students select and design graphic representations to present geographic information.