AUGUSTA COUNTY SCHOOLS

CURRICULUM MAP

Submitted by Verona Elementary School

CONTENT:
4.9 The student will investigate and understand important Virginia natural resources.
TOPIC:
Earth Resources
CONTENT
What do your students need to KNOW? / DEMONSTRATORS
What do your students need to be able to DO? / ASSESSMENT
How will you assess what your students ALREADY KNOW, and assess WHAT THEY’VE LEARNED? / ACTIVITIES
HOW will you teach it?
All students will know:
  • Watersheds and water resources
  • Animals and plants
  • Minerals, rocks, ores, and energy sources
  • Forest, soil, and land
/ Students will:
  • Compare and contrast natural and human-made resources
  • Distinguish among rivers, lakes, and bays; describe characteristics of each; and name an example of each in Virginia
  • Create and interpret a model of a watershed. Evaluate the statement: “We all live downstream.”
  • Identify watershed addresses
  • Recognize the importance of Virginia’s mineral resources, including coal, limestone, granite, and sand and gravel
  • Appraise the importance of natural and cultivated forests in Virginia
  • Describe a variety of soil and land uses important in Virginia
/ Assessments could include:
  • Teacher created pre and post test
  • Teacher observation
  • KWL/anchor charts
  • Completed work
  • Foldable/flipbook comparing and contrasting resources
  • Journal writing
***Rubrics would be created to grade assessments; criteria could include correct labeling, following directions, effort… / Activities include:
Making connections (with essential vocabulary): play as a game or review…students will turn over three words and make a connection with the three overturned words
Writing: write a raindrop letter, diary entry, postcard…have students use writing to explain watershed address, students will use vocabulary as if they were in the Chesapeake Bay and explain how they got there
Model: make a model of a watershed…students can “create” pollutants, etc. and see the effects;
Extension (connection activities):
  • Journal writing…changes of things nearby student homes, school, etc.
  • Speakers…have a conservationist/forester speak to class about watershed, natural resources, etc.
  • Create a cleanup poster about pollution, conservation, etc. and display
  • Handle rock collections
  • Make fact book
  • Create a watershed bulletin board
  • Create a crossword puzzle
  • Create and present a watershed play

DIFFERENTIATION
How will you meet the needs of all students? / RESOURCES / TEACHER NOTES:
Students will be given choicesspecifically in writing (a postcard, diary entry, and letter)…
Students will have the opportunity to use the computer to create poster, fact book, etc.…
Students will be given a checklist of steps to create products (models, etc.) / Additional resources:
  • VDOE website
  • AIMS activities