Adirondack
Curriculum
Project - www.adkcurriculumproject.org
NYS Content Area Standard
ELA 1. Language for info & understanding
Social Studies 3. Geography
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Title: Identifying
Adirondack Geographical Features
Grade Level: 2nd
Author: Margaret O'Leary
Email: oltup@verizon.net
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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
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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
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Adapted for the Adirondack
Curriculum Project from
the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC
©ACP 2002
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