Name: Fields, Jamie
E-mail: jamiefields56@yahoo.com
Topic: Geographics in Arkansas
Grade: Third Grade
Time: Two to Three Class Periods
Ark. Hist. Framework: 3.1.1, 3.1.5, 3.1.10, 3.1.11
Objective: The students will read and follow directions by selecting the
geographic tools needed that can best assist them in completion of the
activities at hand.
I have chosen these objectives because they exercise the skills of
following direction, comprehension, process of elimination and
reflection.
Set: Begin by sharing with the class a "teacher made " map of
Arkansas. This map should emphasize characteristics that will be focused
on in class. Include the local city and state capitol.--Can anyone tell me
what this is a picture of? Why do you think this is a ______? How do you
know of this state?
Materials: Maps of Arkansas, compass roses, map keys/legends, samples of
grids, samples of longitude and latitude, login sheets and student narrative
journals.
Key Terms: Arkansas, Little Rock, Murfressboro, compass rose, map, map
key/legend, longitude, latitude, and grid
Key Facts: Arkansas is located between Missouri, north; Lousiana, south;
Texas and Oklahoma, west; and Tennessee and Mississippi, east.
Arkansas state capitol is Little Rock.
Arkansas is the only state where you can dig for diamonds.
Conway is located northwest of Little Rock.
Activities: Students will be introduced to key terms in whole group
instruction.
Teacher will define all key terms and show the students where they can find
them on the map.
Students will examine maps in small group instruction.
Students will handle geographic tools while being instructed on how they
work.
Students will be given a sample quest to ensure understanding of tools and
instruction.
Students will actively work in small group settings while answering
pre-written questions about Arkansas.
Upon completion, each group will share their results with the classroom, as
a whole.
Closure: The teacher will review the purpose of the activity by
cross-referencing with the student narratives. The student narratives will
be shared with the parents at a later date.
Assessment: After whole group discussion, students will write a paragraph
on what they have learned. The narratives will be shared with the
class.
Resources: Marsh, Carole: The Big Arkansas Activity Book, Gallopade
International; p.5