This unit plan outlines a geography unit focused on the regions of South Carolina. It includes 30 lessons over 15 days to teach students about maps, the location and features of South Carolina, the six geographic regions of the state, and how human activity has impacted the landscape. Lessons incorporate maps, videos, songs, and activities. The unit aims to answer the essential question: What are the regions of South Carolina and how have they been affected by people?

1. Geography and Places Unit
Aug 16-20 Basic Geography/Review continents and relative location/border
Aug. 23-27 Geography and Regions/SC landforms/major cities/climate
Aug. 30-Sept. 3 Geography and Regions/river systems/map skills
Sept. 7-10 (4 day wk) Geography and Regions/map skills/regions
Sept. 13-17 Geography and Regions/regions
Sept. 20-24 Geography and Regions/regions/physical and human features/Test
Pacing: 30 days
Unit EQ: What are the regions of South Carolina and how have they been affected by people?
Unit Standard 3-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of places and regions and the role of
human systems in South Carolina.
Indicators
3-1.1 Identify on a map the location and characteristics of significant physical features of South Carolina,
including landforms; river systems such as the Pee Dee River Basin, the Santee River Basin, the Edisto
River Basin, and the Savannah River Basin; major cities; and climate regions. (G)
3-1.2 Interpret thematic maps of South Carolina places and regions that show how and where people
live, work, and use land and transportation. (G, P, E)
3-1.3 Categorize the six geographic regions of South Carolina—the Blue Ridge Mountain Region, the
Piedmont, the Sand Hills, the Inner Coastal Plain, the Outer Coastal Plain, and the Coastal Zone—
according to their different physical and human characteristics. (G)
3-1.4 Explain the effects of human systems on the physical landscape of South Carolina over time,
including the relationship of population distribution and patterns of migration to natural resources,
climate, agriculture, and economic development. (G, E, H)
Literature
P is for Palmetto by Carol Crane
Net Numbers by Carol Crane
South Carolina by Janelle Cherrington
A Sweet, Sweet Basket by Margie Willis Clary
Circle Unbroken by Margot Theis Raven
Hello U.S.A.: South Carolina by Charles Freeden
Lowcountry A to Z by Betsy Strickland
South Carolina by Capstone Press Geography Department
South Carolina by Mary Dykstra
South Carolina by Myra Weatherly
Uniquely South Carolina by Victoria Sherrow
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy

2. United Streaming
o Finding Your Way : Using Maps and Globes - select segments based on student needs
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?
guidAssetId=B1847236-995D-4335-93BA-1995E3F2BC8B&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o Detective Bonz and the SC History Mystery: Part 5 - SC Farmers’ Market and South Carolina Industries
segments http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?
guidAssetId=766982F9-88B6-4B05-87A1-2136874D4AB4&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Blue Ridge - Duke Power Company segment
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?
guidAssetId=C06A8C4B-7D7B-40D3-9DD2-2866EAF807BD&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Coastal Plain - Santee-Cooper segment
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=6E997B66-2E14-4B3E-
A19B-609EECFA9555&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Piedmont - Culture and Economy and The Textile Industry segments
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=C28DFBCF-2E38-44F5-
A97E-6B322495724B&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o Detective Bonz and the SC History Mystery: Part 5 - South Carolina’s 6 Regions http://player.discoveryeducation.com/
index.cfm?guidAssetId=766982F9-88B6-4B05-87A1-2136874D4AB4&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Blue Ridge - Blue Ridge Region; Scenic Highway 11; and Whitewater Falls
segments http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?
guidAssetId=C06A8C4B-7D7B-40D3-9DD2-2866EAF807BD&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Piedmont - segments http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?
guidAssetId=C28DFBCF-2E38-44F5-A97E-6B322495724B&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Sandhills - The Sandhill Region and Congaree Swamp National Park segments
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=E9AFBC9D-C69A-488A-
A616-9914C19275E3&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o American Geography Close-ups: the Southeast Region, Volume 1 - Along the Southeastern Coastline
segment (Stop at 1:58) http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=0F41DAA2-9F77-48B2-A2FF-
A3CB2ED7BE89&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
o South Carolina Geography: The Coastal Plain - Coastal Plain Train Ride and Swamp Land segments
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=6E997B66-2E14-4B3E-
A19B-609EECFA9555&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
Internet Sites
http://www.sciway.net/maps/
http://www.cas.sc.edu/cege/resources/mapfolio.htm
http://agriculture.sc.gov/content.aspx?MenuID=112
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/thematic.html
(U.S, Census Bureau - simple thematic maps)
http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/waterfalls-main.aspx (Visit SC waterfalls)
http://www.knowitall.org/sclife/ - The Cove Forest Virtual Field Trip
http://sciway2.net/2001/sc-geology/blue_ridge.htm (Blue Ridge photos, text, and links)
http://sciway2.net/2001/sc-geology/piedmont.htm (Piedmont photos, text, and links)
http://sciway2.net/2001/sc-geology/sandhills.htm (Sandhills photos, text, and links)
http://sciway2.net/2001/sc-geology/coastal_zone.htm (Coastal Zone photos, text, and links)
http://sciway2.net/2001/sc-geology/coastal_plain.htm (Coastal Plain photos, text, and links)
http://www.knowitall.org/gullahnet/ (Gullah Net - explore Gullah Culture)
http://www.riverventure.org (The Three Rivers Virtual River Tour)
http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/lakes-blackwater_rivers.aspx (Visit SC rivers)
www.cas.sc.edu/cege - South Carolina Geographic Alliance
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-south-carolina.htm - Geography of South Carolina
http://geology.com/states/south-carolina.shtml - South Carolina Maps
www.knowitall.org/sandlapper/indexsp08.html#TABLE - Sandlapper Online
www.knowitall.org/naturalstate/Flash/Interface.cfm?CFID=4218876&CFTOKEN=7b9a0b1cfacd0e99-0E110C94-
D56B-91D4-550B637B44E2AACC&jsessionid=4a304133ab48270ed1454b595e274f37c464 - Integrates art and the regions
of South Carolina
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/kids.html
Unit Vocabulary

3. Map Globe Compass
Map key or legend Scale Physical map
Political map Thematic map Region
Relative location Landform Climate Regions
Pee Dee River Santee River Edisto River
Savannah River Transportation Blue Ridge Region
Piedmont Region Sandhills Region Inner Coastal Plain
Outer Coastal Plain Coastal Zone Physical Features
Human Features Human systems Landscape
Population Migration Natural resources
Agriculture Economy Fall line
Monadnock Plain Barrier Island
Columbia Charleston Greenville
Unit Activating Strategy
Read P Is for Palmetto **by Carol Crane. As students listen to the book, ask them to look for descriptions
that relate to the Upstate. At the conclusion of the reading give student pairs 3 post-its. On two of the
post-its have pairs record an Upstate-related description in the book. On the third post-it record an item
related to a different part of the state. As pairs share with the class, they can place post-its on what they
believe to be the associated location on a large state map. (Consider having the map divided into
Upcountry, Midlands, and Low Country.) As the unit progresses placement of post-its can be confirmed or
corrected.
Unit Culminating Strategy
Students will be creating a large map of SC. They will label the regions and develop a map key with
symbols to show various land uses including forests, mountains, and beaches. Rather than completing this
all at the end of the unit you can choose to have students work on it throughout the unit as they study
each region.
*Also I suggest that the teacher have a large map like the students smaller version to be building
throughout the unit. This map will also be helpful in other units locating Native Americans, battles, and
other events in SC.
Lesson EQ’s (15 questions)
 What is a map and why they important?
 Where are the continents and oceans located?
 What is the relative location of South Carolina?
 What are some of South Carolina’s major symbols?
 What are some significant physical features of South Carolina?
 What are the different types of maps and why are they useful?
 How has geography shaped the way people live and work in South Carolina?
 What are the major river systems of South Carolina?
 What are the six regions of South Carolina?
 What characteristics make the Blue Ridge region unique?
 What characteristics make the Piedmont region unique?
 What characteristics make the Sandhills region unique?
 What characteristics make the Inner Coastal Plain region unique?
 What characteristics make the Outer Coastal Plain region unique?
 What characteristics make the Coastal Zone region unique?
 What are the different physical and human characteristics of the regions of South Carolina?
 How has the physical landscape of South Carolina changed over time because of people?
Lesson 1 & 2

4. EQ: What is a map and why are they important?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Show students a map of the world and ask them why they think maps are used? Explain what maps
are and why they are used. View the Maps and Globes video segment from United Streaming.
TS: Use the wall maps to teach students about the different parts (key/legend, symbol, compass rose,
scale). Teach the cardinal directions song. Play “Four Corners” to reinforce the cardinal directions on a
compass rose.
SS: Pass out large index cards and have students draw a map of their bedroom. Their map must include a
key.
Lesson 3
EQ: Where are the continents and oceans located?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Pass out blank maps of the world and see if students can work with their groups to label the continents
and oceans.
TS: Review the continents and oceans with the Continent Song: (To the tune of the Married with Children
theme song)
North America, South America,
Europe, Asia, and Africa,
Way down under is Australia,
Don’t forget Antarctica,
Pacific Ocean,
Atlantic Ocean,
Indian, Arctic they’re our oceans,
North Pole,
South Pole,
Equator,
I know all about maps and globes!
While singing the song, point to the corresponding places on a map. Students color and decorate their
maps. Have them draw and label SC on their maps.
SS: Students turn to a partner and recall the 7 continents and 4 oceans.
Lesson 4 & 5
EQ: What is the relative location of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Read, “Me on the Map” by Joan Sweeney.
TS: Teach the “Where Do We Live” song. Guide students in completing the “Where in the World is My
School?” activity book. Look at maps from the book and label the states that border SC.
SS: Quiz
Lesson 6 & 7
EQ: What are some of South Carolina’s major symbols?
Standard: 3-1.1, 3-1.2
AS: Introduce major SC symbols with the power point.
TS: Give students magazines and a construction paper cut out of South Carolina. Have them make a
collage of state symbols using magazine cut outs or drawings.
SS: Symbols Swatters
Lesson 8

5. EQ: What are some significant physical features of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Word Splash for the word landform.
TS: Use the power point to teach students about the location of important physical features, major cities,
and the climate of SC on different maps. Students will fill out a graphic organizer as they view the power
point.
SS: 3 physical features of SC, 2 major cities, and the climate.
Lesson 9
EQ: What are some significant physical features of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Ask students to recall some significant features of SC from yesterday.
TS: Give students a die cut of SC and have them draw and label significant features (landforms and major
cities) in SC using their textbooks. (pg. H14-H15)
SS: Have students label a blank map of SC with at least 5 significant physical features.
Lesson 10
EQ: What are the different types of maps and why are they useful?
Standard: 3-1.1, 3-1.2
AS: Read, “Mapping Penny’s World.”
TS: Have different types of maps posted around the room. Students rotate around the room and answer
the questions about each map. Once students have rotated to the different maps, discuss what students
thought of each type and why each one would be useful. Introduce the three types of maps using the
flipchart. Students look at several different types of maps in the power point and identify each one.
SS: Students complete the “Focusing on Four” sheet.
Lesson 11
EQ: What are the different types of maps and why are they useful?
Standard: 3-1.1, 3-1.2
AS: Students turn and tell a partner the three kinds of maps.
TS: In textbook play find it fast - Have students search their textbooks to find a physical map, a political
map, and a special purpose map. Discuss each type of map as they are found.
SS: Have students work with a partner to complete the Natural Resource Riddles sheet.
Lesson 12
EQ: How has geography shaped the way people live and work in South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.2, 3-1.4
AS: Have students look at a graphic organizer showing the three types of communities.
TS: Guide students in reading page 22. Discuss how the land shaped the way people in the communities
lived and worked. Discuss other geographic features that can shape the way people live and work. Look
at pages 36-37 and discuss how the land affects the way people in SC live and work.
SS: Students look at the map on page 23 and answer the questions.
Lesson 13
EQ: What are the major river systems of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Ask students if they know the name of any of the major rivers of South Carolina? Why are rivers
important to people?
TS: Use the river systems map on page 376 of old textbook (At Home in South Carolina) on the document
camera. With a blue marker, colored pencil, or crayon children will draw the river systems and label them
on another blank SC map. Students will work with a partner to create a song, mnemonic device, or poem
about the Pee Dee river system, Santee, Edisto, and Savannah.
SS: Students recall the four major river systems.
Lesson 14

6. EQ: What are the major river systems of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.1
AS: Students “Think-pair-share” the four river systems of South Carolina.
TS: Show students the four main river systems in four different colors. Students will use a pre-traced map of
SC and use yarn in the same colors to chart the four major river systems of SC. Make sure the yarn color
corresponds to the river system.
SS: Students label a map of the four rivers.
Lesson 15
EQ: What are the six regions of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Introduce lesson with the “South Carolina Regions” song.
TS: Students will rotate to centers around the room with photos, posters, artifacts and other related items
representative of each region. Teacher should model visiting a center, appropriate touching, and thinking.
As students rotate around the room they should leave a sticky note trail about things they noticed…
wonder…know…or connections.
* Upcountry (Blue Ridge Mtns./Piedmont)- pinecone, pictures of mountains, mini- pine tree, red clay
* Midlands (Sandhills/Inner Coastal Plain)- Columbia pictures, shells, animal pictures
* Low Country (Outer Coastal Plain/Coastal Zone)- sand, shells, sand dollar, palmetto frond, other beach
related items
SS: After students have completed their rotation, gather the class for a discussion of their sticky note trail.
Lesson 16
EQ: What are the six regions of South Carolina?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: See if students can recall the 6 regions of SC on a large map.
TS: Using a large SC floor map the teacher will introduce each region with power point and ask students to
recall details and artifacts from the centers activity yesterday. As students identify traits of each region, the
class will come up with a movement to represent that region. One student will model the movement while
standing in that region on the floor map (example: students might pretend to be hiking in the Blue Ridge or
swimming in the Coastal Zone). This activity will help students identify the regions on a map and recall
important facts about that region. Continue to practice the movements.
SS: All students will do the movement of each region as teacher calls out regions.
Lesson 17
EQ: What characteristics make the Blue Ridge region unique?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Students recall the motion for the Blue Ridge region. Have them brainstorm other activities they could
do there.
TS: View the Blue Ridge United Streaming segment. Students view a power point about the Blue Ridge
region and fill out a graphic organizer with important facts.
SS: Add landforms to class SC map. Have students read pages 44-45 with their groups and answer the
questions on the promethean board.
Lesson 18
EQ: What characteristics make Piedmont region unique?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Students recall the motion for the Piedmont region. Have them brainstorm or recall landforms or
activities that can be done here.
TS: Watch the United Streaming segment on the Piedmont region. Students view a power point about the
Piedmont region and fill out a graphic organizer with important facts. Students read pages 46-47 with a
partner.
SS: Add landforms to class SC map. Complete workbook page 10.
Lesson 19

7. EQ: What characteristics make Sandhills region unique?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Play What’s in the Box. Place a fossil or sand in the box. Students ask yes or no questions to guess what’s
in the box. No one may guess until everyone has asked a question or the teacher decides students have
had enough information to guess.
TS: Use the activator to introduce the Sandhills region. Watch the United Streaming segment on the
Sandhills region. View power point about Sandhills region and add to graphic organizer. Show a pictorial
representation of the fall line and discuss the importance of the fall line and why there are so many cities
there.
SS: Add landforms to class map. Students make a tableau of the fall line with their bodies. Give them two
minutes to plan and then count down from 10 for them to be frozen.
Lesson 20
EQ: What characteristics make Inner Coastal Plain region unique?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Play What’s in the Box again and have students guess that it’s cotton. Students recall the motion from
the Inner Coastal Plain.
TS: Watch the United Streaming video of the Coastal Plains region. View power point of the Inner Coastal
Plain region and add to graphic organizer.
SS: Add landforms to class SC map. Students make a Venn Diagram or T-chart comparing the Sandhills
and the Inner Coastal Plain.
Lesson 21
EQ: What characteristics make Outer Coastal Plain region unique?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Recall facts about the Outer Coastal Plain from the United Streaming Video yesterday. Recall the
motion from the Outer Coastal Plain region.
TS: View the power point for the Outer Coastal Plain region and add to the graphic organizer. Students will
work with a partner to read pages 60-61 and add more facts to their graphic organizers.
SS: Write a short paragraph that includes at least 3 facts about the Outer Coastal Plain.
Lesson 22
EQ: What characteristics make Coastal Zone region unique?
Standard: 3-1.3
AS: Students recall motion from the Coastal Zone. Brainstorm other activities that can be done in the
Coastal Zone.
TS: Watch the United Streaming segment about the Coastal Zone. View the power point about the Coastal
Zone and add to graphic organizer.
SS: Read pages 62-63 with a group and answer the questions on the board.
Lessons 23
EQ: What are the different physical and human characteristics of the regions of South Carolina?
Standards: 3-1.3
AS: Show students pictures of each of the 6 regions and see if they can recall which region the picture
matches.
TS: Students will make a 3D SC map on a large cookie. Have students use white icing to cover cookie 1st.
(Blue Ridge Region: chocolate chips for mountains, Piedmont region: green fruit roll ups to make hills,
Sandhills: yellow sprinkles for sand, Inner Coastal Plain: chocolate sprinkles for fertile soil, Outer Coastal
Plain: rice for the plantations, Coastal Zone: Swedish fish)
SS: Use sprinkle stars to have students indicate major cities (Greenville, Columbia &Charleston) Call out a
region and have students recall a fact.
Lesson 24

8. EQ: What are the different physical and human characteristics of the regions of South Carolina?
Standards: 3-1.3
AS: Recall the 6 regions of South Carolina with a matching game (Picture to Region).
TS: Assign each group 1 one of the regions. Students will receive a post card sized rectangle of poster
board. Use the flipchart to show students an example. On the front, students will illustrate a significant
feature of their region of choice. On the back of the post card students will be required to write a friendly
letter to a friend or family member. The student will pretend as if he or she is visiting that region and include
at least three important facts about the region.
SS: Share post cards.
Lesson 25
EQ: How has the physical landscape of South Carolina changed over time because of people?
Standard: 3-1.4
AS: Discuss the meaning of “human systems” or people’s interaction with their environments. Ask students
to turn to a partner and talk about how they think they interact with their surroundings in Greenville?
TS: Discuss with students how people tend to migrate towards water, industry, and agriculture because
their basic needs can be met. Guide students in reading pages 32-33 about how we use and change the
land. Students code the text with sticky notes in places where the EQ is answered or list things on a chart.
SS: Quiz
Lesson 26
EQ: What are the regions of SC and how have they been affected by people?
Distribute 10 index cards to each group. On each index card, have students list the following terms:
o Landform
o Physical map
o Political map
o Thematic map
o River systems
o Blue Ridge Region
o Piedmont Region
o Sandhills Region
o Inner Coastal Plain Region
o Outer Coastal Plain Region
o Coastal Zone Region
o Natural Resources
Read a statement, fact, or clue and have each group discuss which index card to hold up. Check
answers for understanding.
Lesson 27
EQ: What are the regions of SC and how have they been affected by people?
Review for the test with Places and Regions Bingo.
Assessment and all supplemental resources are on the T-drive