Unit Plan: Integrating Language Arts & Social
Studies
Lesson Plan for Wednesday
Grade: 2
Social Studies Strand: Geography
Submitted By: Kendra Cope
EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social Science
Nevada State College Spring 2014
Instructor: Karen Powell
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Kendra Cope
Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2
B. Summary of the Lesson Plan:
This geography lesson is designed for 2
nd
grade students to review maps, how to interpret
and construct a map. The students have designed a map and now are going to learn
how to read a globe.
C. Basic Information:
Grade Level: 2
nd
Grade
Time to Complete this Lesson: 50 Minutes
Groupings: Whole Group discussion, Independent for activity & assessment and
partners for final discussion
D. Materials:
Globe
World Map, USA Map, Street Map & House Map
E. Objectives:
o NV State Social Studies Standards
G5.2.2 Recognize spatial patterns, i.e., political units, physical features, on a
map and globe.
o Student-Friendly Standards
G5.2.2 I can point to physical features on a map and a globe
F. Vocabulary
Globe a picture of Earth that is displayed on a round surface
Map a picture of an area that is displayed on a flat surface
Compass an instrument that tells you which direction it is facing
Grid lines that go from north to south and east to west
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Kendra Cope
Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 3
Legend tells you what the different symbols mean
Title name of your map
Poles where the Earths axis meets its surface
Equator imaginary line around the middle of the Earth
Hemispheres south or north of the equator.
G. Procedure:
1. Review with the whole class what a globe is and what a map is.
2. Bring the students attention to the classroom globe. Point to various parts of the
world and see if any students can identify different countries or continents.
(assessing prior knowledge)
3. Identify & discuss the various symbols on a globe (are they similar to a map?)
4. Review & introduce new vocabulary (globe, map, compass, grid, legend, title,
poles, equator and hemispheres)
5. As a whole class, discuss the differences between a map and a globe
6. Show the class that globes are a 3D version of maps.
7. Display the large world map that is in the front of the class. Explain the differences.
8. Instruction:
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Kendra Cope
Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 4
o With their group, locate the continent that we live on: North America
o Have a volunteer answer:
Name two continents in the Southern Hemisphere
H. Assessment:
What will you use to measure student understanding?
G5.2.2 Recognize spatial patterns, i.e., political units, physical features, on a map and
globe.
I will be able to see which students can look at a globe and see if they are able to
successfully find different parts on a globe.
Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson.
The students will need know what continents are and be able to decipher the northern
and southern hemisphere.
I. Closure:
I will have the students pair up with a partner and find all 7 continents. They will need to
successfully write down all of the names of the continents on a piece of paper and
turn it into me.
J. Reflection:
1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach?
I think the easiest part of the lesson for me to teach will be the vocabulary.
Providing a visual is a great way to teach a word. Plus the students can touch it as
well.
2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach?
Discussing the equator and poles. Some students may not be able to grasp that
they are imaginary.
3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson?
I will have the students use technology and use an interactive globe.
4. What can you do for students who dont grasp the concepts?
I would first find out which part they are struggling on. Then decide to break it down
piece by piece. While they are looking at the globe, I can sit with them one on one
and we can figure out everything together. They can describe to me the different
continents that they see.
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Kendra Cope
Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 5
5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change?
My vocabulary could probably change as they might be too hard.
6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part?
Trying to keep the lesson fun and engaging. Using our textbook and reading
strategy 25 on page 182, helped me modify the lesson.
