LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Topography of North Carolina and its influence on settlement

This lesson explores where North Carolina is in relation to the United States and North America. Also, we will explore the different regions of North Carolina and how the topography of the region affected settlement.

A lesson plan for grade 8 English Language Development and Social Studies

By Jessica Wilson and Tabitha Horton

Learn more

  • Enchanted Learning Information about North Carolina as well as maps and assessment tools

Related pages

  • Cherokee relocation: Using primary sources from the Documenting the American South collection, students will investigate the boundaries of the Cherokee lands set for North Carolina after the Revolutionary War.
  • A visit to colonial North Carolina: This lesson plan extends student learning about the colonial period in North Carolina history by incorporating primary sources from the Documenting the American South collection. After reading first-hand accounts of travelers to colonial America, students will create their own travel brochure advertising North Carolina.
  • Power sharing and the Lord Proprietors of North Carolina: This lesson examines the essential question: How did government instability under the Lord Proprietors effect the development of North Carolina? The lesson has been modified for novice low English language learners.

Related topics

Help

Please read our disclaimer for lesson plans.

Legal

The text of this page is copyright ©2008. See terms of use. Images and other media may be licensed separately; see captions for more information and read the fine print.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this lesson are to explore tha main regions of North Carolina, the main bodies of water, and significant land and water forms that border the state. We will also discuss why the region was difficult to settle.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

90 minutes

Materials/resources

  • One blank map of North Carolina per student. You can visit the relevant website listed in the On the Web section for a printable North Carolina map.
  • Markers or colored pencils for each student.
  • Each student should supply his/her own notebook paper for taking notes during the lecture.
  • North Carolina history book with a map of North Carolina and counties.

Pre-activities

This lesson can be given before discussion on exploring the “New World” or after.

Activities

  1. Map of North Carolina. Students should color each region of North Carolina a different color and label the various regions. Next, have students label where South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia, and the Atlantic Ocean would be in relation to the map. Then, students should label the significant river systems (Catawba, Cape Fear, Neuse, Yadkin, etc.). Also, have students draw and label the significant mountain ranges in North Carolina.
  2. Lecture Notes. Type notes on transparency. Highlight regions and vocabulary words in bold. Go over information of regions in chunks. Be sure to discuss, emphasize, and explore what qualities make a settlement habitable (water, food etc.). Critical questions to explore: How would North Carolina’s coastline affect settlement? How would the lack of navigable rivers impact settlement in North Carolina? How would the lack of fertile soil affect settlement in the region? Also, discuss other obstacles that might hinder settlement (e.g. lack of resources, etc.)?
  3. Graphic Organizer. Students should make a graphic organizer using their notes and textbook to identify the different regions and significant landforms and bodies of water that are in them.

Assessment

Use the map rubric and the graphic organizer rubric for student assessment.

Supplemental information

Modifications

  • For the map activity, pair the Novice Low LEP student with an Intermediate LEP student who shares the same native language.
  • Provide a word-for-word dictionary, along with visuals for the vocabulary.
  • Allow extended time on mapping assignment and graphic organizer.
  • Teacher may include photos in lesson of the different regions.

Alternative assessments

If a partner is assigned to Novice student and a book is used, no alternative assessment should be needed. Grade will reflect what novice student and partner achieve.

Critical vocabulary

  • regions
  • topography
  • piedmont
  • coastal plain
  • mountains
  • tidewater

Comments

This lesson plan was developed during the English Language Development Standard Course of Study lesson planning institutes hosted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and LEARN NC, June and July, 2004. It includes specific strategies, instructional modifications, and alternative assessments which make this lesson accessible to limited English proficient students. Please note that this lesson has been aligned with the goals and objectives of the North Carolina English Language Development standards.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Development (2005)

  • Objective 0.03: Demonstrate comprehension of verbal cues of concrete academic concepts and informational materials through non-verbal responses such as pointing, drawing, gesturing.
  • Objective 0.03: Copy from printed text.
  • Objective 0.04: Read simple patterned, decodable, and predictable text.

    • Social Studies (2003)

    Grade 8

    • Goal 1: The learner will analyze important geographic, political, economic, and social aspects of life in the region prior to the Revolutionary Period.
      • Objective 1.01: Assess the impact of geography on the settlement and developing economy of the Carolina colony.