Social Studies Review: 4th Grade Small Group Activity

Reviewing for assessments that cover a wide range of material can be hard to do in an engaging fashion. After finishing our unit 3 material in Social Studies, I planned an eight center review game that reviewed the US regions, NJ regions, climate, weather, landforms, and natural resources.

Group work can be difficult for some students. Giving students specific jobs can be one way to avoid typical behavior problems found when implementing small groups. For this Social Studies review, I decided to use a spy theme to encourage student engagement in all areas of center work.

My small group jobs focused on transition time, noise control, and jobs within the group setting.

Please reference and use my Social Studies: Spy Theme Review PowerPoint to access the description of the following positions: Secret Service Messenger, Group Spy, Mr./Mrs. Hat, Noise Detectives, and The Watch.

An outline of the activity is found below: 

Each center was given a “secret mission”. Each secret mission contained one or two activities, and an extension activity if a student was to finish early.
  1.  Station One. Explain how a wooden table is made. Use the words: natural resources, raw materials, and processed in your response. If time, illustrate the steps you described above.
  2. Station Two. Identify six renewable and nonrenewable resources using the graphic organizer provided. If time, why are people considered resources?
  3. Station Three. Design a post card using the yellow paper to describe the difference between the Inner and Outer Atlantic Coastal Plain. Write the message first, and then illustrate if you have time. (Example provided in folder)
  4. Station Four. Create a song about the different types of landforms. Include atleast 4-5 different types. Also try to include the locations of the landforms (where they are found in the US).
  5. Station Five. Compare and contrast weather and climate using a Venn Diagram. (Students were also given five questions to answer–multiple choice)
  6. Station Six. Draw a picture of the water cycle. Label the four steps. If time, create a story about the water cycle, using the character of a water drop.
  7. Station Seven. Label the 5 regions of the United States on the map provided. Create a key that color codes each section.
  8. Station Eight. Use the map provided to label the four regions of New Jersey. Put a star next to the region we live in.
Each station contained a yellow envelope that was labeled (Secret Mission #____). Inside each envelope contained a blue Task Card that outlined the specific activity that was to be completed at each station. You will notice that each card consist of vocabulary words (Bloom’s Taxonomy) that measure the different levels of difficulty.
Each student was given a clipboard with paper.
Teachers’ role: Facilitators, frequent check-ins for each group, collect information on what students need to review, ask clarifying/guiding questions.
Activity: Two day span, review answers on second day once students complete every station. Activity acts as a formative assessment. A Jeopardy review game will be made based on misconceptions/topics that need to be reviewed for the SS Common Assessment on Tuesday.
Groups and Roles: Pre-determined
Students also reflected on their roles within their groups at the beginning and end of the lesson. Students determined self-goals at the beginning (such as ask group members two clarifying questions, stay on task, and use polite language) and then reflected on those goals when we were cleaning up material.

Clay Models of Landforms

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Clay Models of Landforms (30 minutes) : Students are at seats

  1. Students will be at their desks and materials will be passed out/available in the back.
  2. Students will be given direction on how to set up their paper. (I will have a sheet upfront and model my directions as I go.)
  3. The students will fold their paper in sixth and write a landform definition in each section.  (Definitions will be made available up front.)
    • As students are folding, I will make a connection to math and ask the students “ What is sixths?”. I will model how to fold the paper upfront.
  4. Once the students complete the directions, I will then give them a stick of clay.
    • I will cut the stick in sixths so students will be able to make a model of all six landforms.

**If students finish early, students can color each section of the landforms. For example, color blue around the barrier island, green around the plain. This will help students reinforce and make connections of where these landforms are found. Students may need to wait for clay to dry before they color.

In additions, students should be allowed to work in pairs. I will be circulating the room and engaging students by asking them to explain the steep sides they created for mountains, or why they flattened their clay out for the valleys, or why their mountains were taller than their hills.

To view the full lesson, please see the blogpost: Landforms are Everywhere:4th Grade Lesson Plan Idea!

Landforms are Everywhere!

Essential Understanding: 

Landforms are all around us and are the natural features of Earth’s surface.

MA Framework Standard(s): 

 1. Earth and Space Science: Grade 3-5 (12): Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. 2. Physical Science: Grade 3-5 (1): Differentiate between properties of objects (e.g., size, shape, weight) and properties of materials (e.g., color, texture, hardness).

Student Learning Objective(s):

Students will be able to identify the different types of landforms by responding with the physical hand motions that corresponds to the particular landform and picture. Students will be able to construct various clay models of the different landforms: mountains, hills, lakes, sand dunes, glaciers, and valleys that will visually represent the important features of each.

Interdisciplinary content area(s):  Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies Materials necessary for today’s lesson:

For Students For Teacher
Writing Notebooks, Clay, Poster Board (18 x 12) Pictures of landforms and definitions (6), Clay

Academic Vocabulary: 

-Landforms: Are all around us and are natural features of Earth’ surface-Valley: A low area surrounded by high land, such as hills or mountains -Sand dunes: A hill of sand that is moved by wind -Glacier: A large mass of ice that moves across land -Hill: A raised area or mound of land -Lake: A large body of water surrounded by land on all sides -Mountains: An area of land that rises very high above the land around it. It is higher than a hill and sometimes has pointed tops

THE LEARNING ACTIVITY Motivational and Review Procedures (the “hook”):

Today we have a very special activity that will allow us to take the information we learn today and transform it into our own version of clay models. We need to pay close attention since we will be building our own version of mountains, valleys, and lakes by using clay. I know we are very excited about this, but we must pay close attention since details matter! Before we work with clay, we first need to be sure we can differentiate the different type of landforms. Personal Story: Once Ms. Serao climbed a mountain (show picture). Has anyone else climbed a mountain? Have you ever swam in a lake? Do you know that mountains and lakes are landforms! Today, we are going to learn about landforms. (This is the first time ever teaching about landforms. The students may have some prior knowledge from third grade.)

Procedures to Accomplish Objectives:

 1. Direct Instruction: (20-25 minutes):  Today we are going to learn about landforms. Landforms are all around us and are Earth’s natural features of Earth’s surface. (Hold up landform definition) A landform is a natural feature of Earth’s surface. (look at word: land, form—shape)

  1. The first landform we are going to talk about are mountains. Mountains are steep, tall, and sometimes have pointy tops. Mountains are all over the United States and the world. One of the biggest mountains is called Mt. Everst.  Things that make a mountain special is the height and the pointy or non-pointy top. Did you know that you could climb a mountain? Ms. Serao climbed a mountain with her friends just last week!  To help us remember what a mountain is, I want you to copy (mirror) Ms. Serao. Repeat: a mountain is very high and sometimes has a pointed top. (Do hand gesture as speaking) Tell the students, whenever Ms. Serao says “mountain” I want you to respond by putting your hands over your head. Lets practice! Good!
  2. Second, lake: a large body of water surrounded by land on all sides. What is a lake like? Can you think of some lakes you are familiar with? I remember your do-now from last week asked you to find lakes using a map of the United States.  (extra info: the Great Lakes in the United States include the following: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie; lakes in Massachusetts: Lake Chaubunagungamaug). Show hand movement and have students repeat.
  3. Third hill: a raised area or mound of land.
  4. Fourth, valley: a low area surrounded by high land, such as hills or mountains. It is described as either being in a U shape or V shape. Valleys are all over the United States. There are usually next to mountains and hills. (extra info: five valleys in Massachusetts, one called Blackstone valley). Whenever Ms. Serao says valley, I want us to do this hand gesture (model). So repeat after me:  A valley is a low area surrounded by high land.
  5. Fifth, glacier: a large mass of ice that moves across land
  6. Sixth, sand dune: A hill of sand that is moved by wind

Depending on how students are responding and behaving, I will hand out pictures to some members of the class. To review, I will have students raise their picture card as other members in the class perform the action associated with the picture. To review: Students will be participating in total physical response (tpr) as each landform is being discussed on the rug in the back.

  1. Mountains: steep sides, tall, sometimes pointy tops are tall and pointed. “Class can you mirror Ms. Serao” Have students stand up and say mountains peaks are tall and pointed when putting their hands above their heads.
  2. Lake: a large body of water surrounded by land on all sides  (TPR: hands circled near body)
  3. Hill: a raised area or mound of land   (TPR: hands together in a dome shape)
  4. Sand Dune: a hill of sand that is moved by wind (TPR: wave of the hand)
  5. Valley: a low area surrounded by high land, such as hills and mountains (TPR: upside down V)
  6. Glacier: a large mass of ice that moves across land (TPR: hands put together as blocks that move)

I will then ask students to transition back to their seat. Once students are at their seats, I will start to explain the next activity. Materials will be ready to go on the table near the side.  Posters will be hung up on the whiteboard in the front of the class 2. Clay Models of Landforms (30 minutes):  Students will be at their desks and materials will be passed out/available in the back. Students will be given direction on how to set up their paper. I will have a sheet upfront and model my directions as I go. The students will fold their paper in sixth and write a landform definition in each section.  Definitions will be made available up front. As students are folding, I will make a connection to math and ask the students “ What is sixths?” I will model how to fold the paper upfront. Once the students complete the directions, I will then give them a stick of clay. I will cut the stick in sixths so students will be able to make a model of all six landforms. If students finish early, students can color each section of the landforms. For example, color blue around the barrier island, green around the plain. This will help students make the connection of where these landforms are found. Students may need to wait for clay to dry before they color. Students will be allowed to work with their partner when creating the clay models.  I will be circulating the room and engaging students by asking them to explain the steep sides they created for mountains or why they flattened their clay out for the valleys or why their mountains were taller than their hills. I expect students to at least write the six definitions in the proper place by the end of the lesson. Ideally, I want every student to complete at least 3 visual representations before the lesson ends.  Clean up Materials: (3-4 minutes)

 Closing Procedures:

If time, I will have students repeat the hand gestures we learned at the beginning of class. Also, depending on class dynamic, I will showcase some students’ work.Questions for review:

  • What is a landform?
  • What are some properties (thing we can observe) about a mountain?
  • What are some properties we can observe about a hill/sand dune/lake/glacier?
  • How is a mountain different than a hill?
  • How is a lake different than a glacier? (See if students can make the connection to states of matter, which was a previous lesson taught)
  • How is a sand dune similar to a hill?
  • Have you ever climbed a hill?
  • Have you gone swimming in a lake?
  • Have you seen a mountain?

Summary Statement:  Wrap Up Class, today we learned about landforms and talked about different types of landforms such as mountains, sand dunes, lakes, glaciers, and hills. We discussed the basic properties of each and are starting to understand that landforms are truly all around us. We were then able to apply the knowledge we learned to make clay models, which reinforced some of the observable differences among the examples we used. Next time, we will finish our clay models and discuss the four forces that cause landforms to change shape. I am proud of the way we were attentive during our activity and the way we behaved when dealing with clay. I am also impressed with how we cleaned up and treated our partners with respect! Great work!

Teaching Techniques:

Direct Instruction: The form of instruction that is displayed when orally explaining something. Teacher will explicitly state the definition of a landform as well as the six different types of landforms. Teacher will explicitly review the distinct properties of each.Indirect Instruction: The form of instruction that is displayed when the teacher becomes the supporter rather than the facilitator. This teaching technique is implemented when the students are working on their individual clay models and when the teacher is engaged in classroom discussion. Experimental: Students will be using clay and will be able to answer questions with the class or a partner. Interactive: Students will work with clay to visually represent the six different types of landforms. Students will also be asked to make real-world connections as well as interact with other classmates.

Learning Considerations:

Improving access to learning for all students(Hint: Consider UDL Principles) Associated Accommodations(s)/Modification(s)(Supports and Challenges)
Multiple Means of RepresentationVisual: Visual aids, such as pictures of landforms are used through out the lesson. Auditory: Teacher will engage the class in classroom discussion Kinesthetic: Teacher will use hand gestures/movements when teaching different types of landforms. For example, the teacher will raise her hands when talking about a mountain and then lower them when teaching about a valley. Multiple Means of Expression Visual: Students will express knowledge of landforms by building their own representation out of clay. Students will have poster labeled with the correct names and definitions. Auditory: Students will be able to answer teacher discussions. Students will be able to talk with a partner. Students will participate in classroom discussion. Kinesthetic: Students will work with clay to build their own visual representation of landforms. Multiple Means of Engagement

  • Students will follow teacher in total physical response when learning about landforms
  • Students are working with clay and are able to create their own visual representation of landforms
  • Students will be able to work with a partner
  • Students will be able to execute choice in determining what landform to make first
  • Students will participate from different parts of the room
  • Students will not be sitting the entire time, instead students will be asked to move around
For students who need additional support:

  • Pictures and definitions will be made available on the board.
  • Students will be allowed to work with partners
  • Instructions will be modeled
  • Instructions will be repeated individually if necessary

For students who need to be challenged:

  • Students can add to the definition of each landform given by the teacher by noticing additional features of the landform and by making real-world connections (such as where this landform exists, mountains have a tip shaped point)

If extra time:

  • Students can do a quick write on their experience if they have visited any of the landforms we learned in class. I would encourage students to use the sensory words we have been reviewing in class. (What did you see, how did it smell, what did your hear etc).

EVALUATION Assessment Plan:

I will assess student understanding….
Formative  During the lesson plan by:

  • What is a landform?
  • What are some properties (thing we can observe) about a mountain?
  • What are some properties we can observe about a hill/sand dune/lake/glacier?
  • How is a mountain different than a hill?
  • How is a lake different than a glacier? (See if students can make the connection to states of matter, which was a previous lesson taught)
  • How is a sand dune similar to a hill?
  • Have you ever climbed a mountain? How did you know it was a mountain?
  • Total Physical Response: Do students respond? Did students create their own hand motion? Does it accurately portray the features of the landform?
Summative  At the end of the learning opportunity by an exit ticket that asks any of the following questions:

  • What is a landform?
  • What are some properties (thing we can observe) about a mountain?
  • What are some properties we can observe about a hill/sand dune/lake/glacier?
  • How is a mountain different than a hill?
  • How is a lake different than a glacier? (See if students can make the connection to states of matter, which was a previous lesson taught
  • How is a sand dune similar to a hill?
  • What state of matter is ice? (previous lesson)
  • Where have you seen these landforms?
  • Do you know of any mountains, lakes, or hills in Massachusetts?

Means:

  • Clay models can also been used as a summative

Record Keeping Plan:

  • Keep a personal written record that will then be transferred into excel.

View a picture of the clay activity here: Clay Models of Landforms