Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Spatial Patterns Submitted By: Gina Bogden

A. Summary of the Lesson Plan: This social studies lesson is designed for fourth grade students to learn about spatial patterns on Nevada maps. B. Target Population: Grade Level: 4th grade Skill Level: students at all learning levels Grouping: whole group introduction, reading, discussion; small group question discussion; partner worksheet discussion; independentworksheet, assessment

C. Materials: Spatial Patterns worksheet elmo Pencils Index cards D. Objectives: o NV State Social Studies Standards G5.4.2 Identify spatial patterns on a map of Nevada, i.e., deserts, mountains, population. o Student-Friendly Standards I can identify patterns on a map of Nevada. E. Procedure: 1. Introduce the topic: Ask students to look around the classroom and find and describe patterns. Have students indentify what patterns they see and think about other kinds of patterns of objects in the classroom. Ask students to explain why the objects may be arranged in these patterns. Tell students that in this lesson they will learn about spatial patterns on a map of Nevada. 2. 3. Read aloud the worksheet Spatial Patterns, calling on different students to read while the rest of the class follows along. Students will discuss the following questions (projected on the elmo) with their table group (consisting of 4 students): What kind of spatial patterns do you see on the map? (Possible answers: Major cities are located in southern and western Nevada; highways are located near cities; there are few cities located in the middle of the state.)

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 1

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Spatial Patterns Submitted By: Gina Bogden

How might a traveler use this map to identify spatial patterns of major highways? (Possible answers: Interstate highways run east/west across the state. Other highways run east/west and north/south. In places, the highways intersect.) How do the landforms and cities affect the patterns of Nevadas highways? (Possible answer: Highways are routed to connect cities. They are usually built around or between mountainous areas if possible.) Teacher will call on several students to give their answer to the questions and discuss as a whole group.

4. Have students complete the worksheet independently which instructs students to write three questions that will help you identify spatial patterns on the map. (Possible answers: Where are mountains located? Where do people live? Where are rivers? Where are deserts? Where are highways? Students will then ask their shoulder partner to answer the questions they came up with. 5. CLOSURE: Discuss as a whole group the questions and answers students generated in step 4.

F. Assessment: What will you use to measure student understanding? Students will do a Ticket Out and describe three spatial patterns on the map of Nevada. Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson. Students must Identify spatial patterns on a map of Nevada, i.e., deserts, mountains, population. By doing the Ticket Out described above, students will demonstrate understanding of the concepts taught in this lesson. G. Reflection: 1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach? I think introducing the topic and reading and discussing the worksheet will be the easiest to teach. 2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach? I think the part where I have students generate their own questions to help them identify spatial patterns on a map may be the most difficult part of the lesson because students are used to being asked the questions rather than coming up with them themselves.
Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2013 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Spatial Patterns Submitted By: Gina Bogden

3.

How will you follow up or extend this lesson? As an extension to this lesson, I would have pairs of students find a map of the United States that has a specific theme such as population growth or land use (students choice) and identify two spatial patterns from the map. I would have the pairs share their map and finding with the class.

4. What will you do for students who dont grasp the concepts? For students who dont understand the concepts in this lesson, I would review the definition of spatial patterns and help them see the patterns on the Nevada map discussed previously. I would review the questions the class generated in step 4 of the procedures as well as the answers, taking the time to point out on the map exactly where the patterns are. 5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change? I dont think any part of this lesson needs to change 6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part? The most difficult part of writing this lesson was trying to get the worksheet to copy to my lesson plan. I wasnt able to and finally just took a picture of it. It can be printed directly from the website: scottforesman.com/state/nv/washoe/pdfs/g4_lesson11.pdf.

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 3

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Spatial Patterns Submitted By: Gina Bogden

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 4