Name: Donaldson, Mary Beth

E-mail: mrsmbdonaldson@yahoo.com

Topic: Geographic Regions of Arkansas

Grade: 4

Time: 1-2

Ark. Hist. Framework: 1.1.9

Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the regions in Arkansas.

Set: Examine maps of Arkansas that illustrate the various regions in Arkansas. Point out how they vary and are distinct from each other

Materials: Arkansas maps - large and small, Arkansas textbooks, crayons, markers, contruction paper, blank region maps, scissors, glue

Key Terms: Arkansas River Valley, Ozark Mountains, Missippi Alluvial Plain, Ouachita Mountains, Great Gulf Coastal Plain

Key Facts:
1. The Ozark Mountains, a highland region occupy the Northwestern part of the state.

2. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain, a lowland region occupies the eastern half of the state.

3. The Great Gulf Coastal Plain, a lowland region occupies the southwestern and mid-south section of the state.

4. The Ouachita Mountains, a highland region, occupies the area above the Great Gulf Coastal Plain.

5. The Arkansas River Valley, a highland region, lies between the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains.

Activities: Students will research locate the various regions of the state using maps and their textbooks. They will label the individual regions on a blank map that is divided into the regions and color each region a different color. They will cutthe regions apart and trade the parts with another student. They will then put the "puzzle" pieces back thogether properly and glue them onto construction paper. Each student will devise a key and draw it onto the the construction paper with the puzzle.

Students will divide into groups of three/four to research one region. All the regions should be represented. The groups will construct a product (poster, flyer, brochure, etc) about their region. The products will demonstrate knowledge of the regions such as location, natural resources, unusual features, crops grown, population, rivers, etc.

Closure: Students will present the projects to the class before displaying them in the media center.

Assessment: The puzzle maps and keys will be graded using a checklist.

The group projects will be graded using a rubric.

Participation and cooperation will be graded using rubrics/checklists generated by both the teacher and the students.

Resources: Arkansas History textbooks - Arkansas, The World Around Us

Internet

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