Teachers: Ari Kaufman, Libby Van De Moere, Subject: 7th Grade Social Studies- Geography

Shannon Daniel, Alexa Geidal

Standards:S4.C2.PO.1
Concept 2: Places and Regions PO 1. Describe the human and physical
characteristics of places and regions.

Objectives (Explicit):
Students will be able to compare and contrast physical and human characteristics of the United
States.

Evidence of Mastery (Measurable): Describe in a paragraph the characteristics of physical and

human geographics.

Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):

The students will be able to differentiate between man-made and natural water
sources.
Students will be able to understand how human involvement has impacted the
natural environment.

Key vocabulary: Materials/Technology Resources to be Used:

Physical characteristics: are things that are Computer, handout, video, graphic organizer,
part of the land itself. They are a description of powerpoint, google classroom
the landforms of an area, ignoring human
activities. This includes rivers, coasts, bays, http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/share/pdf/s
ocial_studies/GEOGRAPHY/Geo_ch_chart.
mountains, canyons, valleys, and lakes, among
pdf
other features. Physical maps are the best way
to display the physical characteristics of an
area. Human characteristics, in contrast, are
the features of a geographical area caused by
humans, including cities, towns, dams, roads,
and communication links.

Opening:
During todays lesson we will be discussing the difference between human and physical
characteristics of the United States. How have the Human characteristics altered the natural
physical ones. Have they made positive impacts? If so for who? Can you think of a Human
characteristic that has made life easier for us?
Human and Physical: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aQcSUgkBhI
Instructional Teacher Will: Teacher will define vocabulary, Student Will: Actively take
Input and present powerpoint that will introduce cornell notes on the presentation.
students to various physical and human
characteristics of the United States.

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation: Powerpoint outline will be given to

students to guide them with note taking.
Co-teaching: Wait time- The teacher will allow students time to think;
comprehending the objective clearly and the teacher will move at a steady pace.

Guided Teacher Will: Present pictures of different Student Will: Complete a T-

Practice types of human (bridges, dams, canals,
railroad tracks, monuments, buildings,
tunnels)
and physical characteristics( landforms,
bodies of water, soil, minerals, vegetation,
animal life) together we will discuss why these
characteristics represent physical or human
geographics.
chart,
Sorting the images by physical are
human characteristics, with a
short one sentence explanation on
why it falls under that category.

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation: Differentiation-Provide a T-Chart with

examples for both sides.
Co-Teaching Strategy: Turn and talk- Students will turn and talk to their shoulder
partner, during this time they will discuss the characteristics of the image provided.

Independent Teacher Will: Provide students with a Student Will: Fill out the
Practice handout. Clarify any questions or concerns handout. Students will choose a
the students may have. destination and describe its
characteristics. Based on those
characteristics, students will
determine whether that site is
physical or man-made. One
paragraph will be sufficient. If
not completed in class, students
will finish it for homework.

Students will then submit their

paragraph on google classroom,
and will have to reply to two of
their classmates descriptions.
 Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation: Providing a paragraph outline that helps
the student write their own paragraph.
Co-Teaching: Think-pair-share: students will first think about which
characteristics fits the image better than discuss with their shoulder partner and
then as a class.

Closing/Student Reflection/Real-life connections:

Provide a half sheet with four examples (two physical and two human) and have the students
describe what the image represents and why.