The Road Taken

This lesson will introduce and reinforce main transportation routes for people and goods in North Carolina. Students will enhance map skills including using cardinal and intermediate directions, using a mileage chart, and planning transportation routes. Students will reinforce their knowledge of resources found in North Carolina as well as name and identify the three regions of North Carolina.

A lesson plan for grade 4 Social Studies

By Margaretc Bryant

Learn more

Related pages

• Blackbeard: The Most Feared Pirate of the Atlantic: Students will acquire information about Blackbeard through primary resources and apply their knowledge to create a newspaper article concerning his life.

Related topics

• Learn more about social studies.

Legal

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to identify the three regions within North Carolina, locate natural resources in North Carolina, and trace the movement of people, goods, and ideas from one part of the State to another and between North Carolina and other places.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 hours

Materials/resources

North Carolina road maps (one for every two students)
North Carolina textbooks (one for each student)
Worksheet “The Road Taken” (attached - one for each student)
Overhead transparency for guided practice “Granite”

Technology resources

None

Pre-activities

Using textbooks and tracing paper, students should map the three regions within North Carolina.

Using textbook maps, students should be able to name and locate natural resources found within North Carolina.

Activities

Parts of a Map: Pair students.

1. Pass out maps (one per pair).
2. Ask pairs to find the compass rose, legend, mileage chart, own town and/or city.
3. Ask students to find the city/town index. Ask students to identify map symbols and explain meanings on each item.
4. Assist any groups needing additional help.

The Road Taken: Pair students.

1. Pass out maps (one per pair).
2. Review parts of a map. Show overhead of “Granite.” Read the description with the class. Complete the questions as guided practice with the class. Pass out worksheets. Sheet 1 | Sheet 2
3. Read description paragraph with the class.
4. Allow students to complete the worksheets as independent practice.

Assessment

Oral questioning will be the assessment for “Parts of a Map” activity.

Completed worksheets will be the measure of “The Road Taken” activity.

Supplemental information

Attachments of worksheet and transparency are located below.

Related websites

N/A

Comments

None