This geography unit plan involves students researching and presenting on United States geography in groups. Over six days, students will: 1) research their assigned region in groups, 2) research an individual state, and 3) create a PowerPoint presentation combining their findings. The goal is to teach students about US geography and develop their research, presentation, and technology skills. Students will be assessed based on their individual and group work.

1. Geography Unit Plan
Ms. Marie Louise Lawson
Librarian

2. The Geography Unit
 Intended for Grade 5 students
 Will utilize research and presentation
skills
 Focus on United States Geography to
introduce World Geography section
 Fits in with the Grade 5 Geography
unit for classroom and library
instruction

3. Goals and Objectives
 Give students an understanding of the
regions of the United States
 Instruct students on different types of
maps through example
 Allow students to work individually and as
part of a group to complete project
 Creation of a PowerPoint presentation to
continue with technological education

4. Rationale
 Students benefit from working in
groups, as well as researching
individually
 Each student is responsible for a part
of the final presentation
 Enhanced presentation combines
technology with the geography unit

5. Content and CCCS
 United States geographical regions, as researched within groups
• Standard 6.6.B.1: Compare and contrast the physical and human
characteristics of places in regions in New Jersey, the United States,
and the world.
 Individual states within those regions, as researched by each
student
• Standard 6.1.A.5: Examine current issues, events, or themes and
relate them to past events.
• Standard 6.1.A.6: Formulate questions based on information needs
• Standard 6.1.A.7: Use effective strategies for locating information.
 Inclusion of topographical and physical maps
• Standard 6.6.A.6: Distinguish among the major map types, including
physical, political, topographic, and demographic.
 Continued lesson in PowerPoint with presentation of all gathered
information
• Standard 8.1.A.8: Design and produce a basic multimedia project
• Standard 8.1.B.6: Choose appropriate tools and information resources
to support research and solve real world problems, including but not
limited to:
 On-line resources and databases
 Search engines and subject directories

6. Daily Instruction: Days 1 & 2
Day 1:
• Students will begin in the classroom with an
introductory lesson on the United States regions
• They will then be separated into specific regional groups
Day 2:
• In the library, students will begin group research on
their region using both the internet and print resources
 Receive Handout #1
• At the end of the lesson, they will choose an individual
stat that they will be researching independently

7. United States Geography
H
A
Group Research: Regions
N To begin your unit project on United States geography, you will be researching in
groups. You were given a region to search by your regular teacher. With your
partners, you will begin researching using both print and internet resources. The
D websites and questions below will help you get started.
Resources to get you started:
O FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html
Sheppard Software USA game:
U
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
Worldwide Geography Resources:
http://www.WorldwideGeography.com
T Name of your region: ________________________________________
What states belong to your region?: ________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What is the typical climate in your region?: ___________________________
1
________________________________________________________________
Is your region known for any special imports/exports? If so, what are
they?: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What else is your region known for?: ________________________________
________________________________________________________________
List 6 facts about your region: ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________

8. Daily Instruction: Days 3 & 4
Day 3:
• Finish group research
• Students will begin research on their individual state in
the library
 Receive Handout #2
• Region groups will meet to begin discussing their
PowerPoint project and receive specific instructions on
the presentation
 Receive Handout #3
Day 4:
• Research will conclude, and any last questions on
research will be answered
• Students will begin work on their PowerPoint
presentations

9. United States Geography
H
A
Individual State Research
N
Continuing on our geography unit, you will now be researching your own state
D within the region your group learned about yesterday. You may use the same
websites and search engines, listed below. Please use the questions below to
get you started.
O Resources to get you started:
FactMonster States: http://www.factmonster.com/states.html
U Sheppard Software USA game:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
T Worldwide Geography Resources:
http://www.WorldwideGeography.com
Name of your state: ________________________________________
What it is the capital?: ______________________________________
2 When did your state join the union?: __________________________
Major imports/exports of your state:_________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Major historical or geographical landmarks:___________________________
________________________________________________________________
List 5 fun facts about your state: ____________________________________
________________________________________________________________

10. United States Geography
H
A
N PowerPoint Presentation
D For the final part of your geography unit project, you will create a PowerPoint
presentation based on all the research you have completed. Your presentation
should be between 6 and 10 slides long and include the following information:
O
• Title slide, with region name and all names of group members
U • Region information, including a picture of your region and its states
• One (1) slide for each state in the group. This should include
T
information you researched and a topographical map of the state
• Works cited information on the last slide
Make sure you have the following elements in your presentation:
• Slide transitions, such as fading or dissolve
3 • Slide design, such as colors and borders
• Some animations, such as text entrance or exit
• Text font and color should be unique and readable
• At least one sound effect, anywhere in your presentation

11. Daily Instruction: Days 5 & 6
Day 5:
• Students will be given time to work on
and complete their PowerPoint
presentations
Day 6:
• The student groups will give their
presentations to the class

12. Materials
 In classroom:
• Social Studies textbook
 In library:
• Geography reference material for
research
• Computers for research and
presentations
• Handouts (3) to guide research and give
instruction for presentations

13. Assessment
 Students will be graded on individual
contribution and overall group success:
• Individual research on region: 10 points
• Individual research on state: 10 points
• Contribution to presentation: 10 points
• Accuracy and quality of information in
presentation: 10 points
• Overall presentation design: 10 points
• Total assessment: 50 points

14. Thank You
Special thanks to
the faculty and staff
Presentation by:
Marie Louise Lawson