LEARN NC

2.1 Suggestions for teaching North Carolina's natural diversity

By Melissa Edwards

These teaching suggestions are designed to help fourth-grade teachers discuss the article “Natural Diversity” with students.

  • The first paragraph provides a useful overview of the geographical features and landforms of North Carolina. Have students read this paragraph and then look at a map of North Carolina. Ask them to try to locate some of the features mentioned in the paragraph. Lead a discussion about why certain features are located in certain places in the state.
  • Before reading the entire article, discuss the three regions of the state (Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain), and tell students that the article will give examples of what makes each region distinct. Use the lesson plan North Carolina Regions,with this article as the guiding text.
  • Split students into three groups and conduct a jigsaw-style activity about the three regions. Assign each group a region (Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain) to read about and report back to the rest of the class. If you’d prefer to have four groups instead of three, you may choose to divide the Coastal Plain section between two different groups (Inner and Outer Coastal Plain.)(See activity one in the lesson plan The Regions of North Carolina).
  • Use the lesson plan Researching the North Carolina Coastal Plain, in which students research the Coastal Plain and present the information they find.
  • After reading about the three regions, have a class discussion using the following questions:
    • How are the regions of North Carolina different from each other?
    • What are some of the specific features of each area?
    • How are the eastern and western boundaries different from the northern and southern boundaries?
  • Use the section on the Coastal Plain to demonstrate how to take notes in an outline form (see example below).
    • 1. The Coastal Plain
      • a. Barrier islands
      • b. Wetlands
      • c. Outer Coastal Plain
      • d. Inner Coastal Plain
  • The section about the Outer Coastal Plain refers to “some of the state’s most interesting ecosystems,” and the section on the Blue Ridge Mountains refers to “a number of different kinds of forests.” To create an interdisciplinary connection between science and social studies, have students research one of those two ecosystems. What animals live there, and how have they adapted to their environment?
  • The section with the header “Linking the State: River Basins” begins with the statement, “The regions of North Carolina are linked by one thing – water.” Have students explore and look for details to support this statement. The lesson plan North Carolina Rivers can be used for a more thorough exploration of North Carolina waterways. Students can use the North Carolina river basins map from the Office of Environmental Education

    North Carolina curriculum alignment

    Social Studies (2003)

    Grade 4

    • Goal 1: The learner will apply the five themes of geography to North Carolina and its people.
      • Objective 1.02: Describe and compare physical and cultural characteristics of the regions.