Module 25-Social Studies 4B - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module, students will locate regions based on a grid coordinate system. Students will understand the theory of plate tectonics and learn about the hydrologic cycle. Students will define equinoxes and solstices. Students will compare and contrast two biomes and their climates. Students will learn the most important physical features found in the U.S.

Module Materials:

  • Pencils
  • Crayons or colored pencils
  • Notebook
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Highlighter
  • Markers
  • Blank paper

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 Find It!
  1. Locate regions based on a grid coordinate system.
2 Physical Processes
  1. Label plate tectonics in pictures and understand the hydrologic cycle.
3 Earth and Sun
  1. Define equinoxes and solstices.
4 Biomes and Climate
  1. Compare and contrast two biomes and their climates.
5 U.S. Map
  1. Label the following on a U.S. map: Great Lakes, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Appalachian Mountains, Mississippi River, etc.

Module Key Words:

Key Words
coordinate system
regions
map
grid
plate tectonics
hydrologic cycle
physical processes
equinox
solstice
relationship
biome
climate
weather
key
physical feature
plains

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title
1 Find It! 7 The Right Spot
2 Physical Processes 8 Your Turn
3 Earth and Sun 6 Label a Diagram
4 Biomes and Climate 8 Creating a T-Chart
5 U.S. Map 8 Find the Features

Learning Coach Notes:

Lesson # Lesson Title Notes
1 Find It! In their Social Studies notebook, have your student define and/or describe the following: grid coordinate system, region, cartography, cardinal directions, lines of latitude and longitude, legend, region, point, symbol, and compass rose.
2 Physical Processes In their Social Studies notebook have your student define and/or describe the following: physical process, plate tectonics, hydrologic cycle, wind erosion, water erosion, soil deposition, freeze-thaw process, continental drift, evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection, and draw and label the water cycle.
3 Earth and Sun In their Social Studies notebook have your student define and/or describe the following: equinox, solstice, relationship, and explain why Earth has seasons.
4 Biomes and Climate In their Social Studies notebook have your student define and/or describe the following: biome, climate, weather, describe each type of biome named in this lesson, explain the different climate types in the world, explain what influences climate, and describe climate change.
5 U.S. Map In their Social Studies notebook have your student define and/or describe the following: key, physical feature, plain, the major mountain ranges in the United States, and the major bodies of water in the United States.

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
Find It!
  1. How do you find places on a map?
Physical Processes
  1. What are Earth's physical processes?
Earth and Sun
  1. What is the connection between the sun and the Earth?
Biomes and Climate
  1. What are the biomes?
  2. How are the climates of different biomes different?
U.S. Map
  1. What physical features are common in America?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question
Physical Processes The Water Cycle
  1. What are the different forms of water?
  2. What is evaporation?
  3. What is condensation?
  4. What is precipitation?
  5. What is collection?

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level
1 The Incredible Plate Tectonics Comic: The Adventures of Geo, Vol. 1 Kanani K. M. Lee
2 Water Cycle Geo Facts Georgia Amson-Bradshaw 980L
3 Many Biomes, One Earth Sneed B. Collard III
4 The Climate Zones Kristen Rajczak NC970L
5 National Geographic Kids United States Atlas National Geographic Kids

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing