Grade: 4 (from 3rd)
Science
SCI.V.1.1
Strand:
Using Scientific Knowledge in Earth Science
- Geosphere
Standard:
Benchmark:
All students will describe the earth’s surface
Describe major features of the Earth’s surface.
Constructing and Reflecting:
SCI.I.1.1 - Generate reasonable questions about the world based on observation.
SCI.I.1.5 - Develop strategies and skills for information gathering and problem solving.
SCI.II.1.1 - Develop an awareness of the need for evidence in making decisions scientifically.
Vocabulary / Key Concepts
Context
Types of landforms:
Examples of Michigan features
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mountains
plains
valleys
deserts
Bodies of water:
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rivers
oceans
lakes
hills
valleys
rivers
waterfalls
Great Lakes
pictures of global land features:
o mountains
o deserts
o valleys
o plains
Knowledge and Skills
Resources
The earth’s surface is made up of various features.
Coloma Resources:
Students will describe the earth’s surface in
different locations, distinguishing such features as
mountains, plains, valleys, deserts, hills, oceans,
rivers, waterfalls and lakes.
Discover the Wonder (Scott Foresman) –
Grade 4
Module C
Social Studies Curriculum: Michigan Chapter 1
(See attached activity)
Other Resources:
Physical features (link)
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/docs/ask-a-ge.html
Earth’s features (link) http://encarta,msn.com
Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus: Inside
the Earth. Scholastic, 1989.
Stille, Darlene. Deserts. True Books
Ecosystem Series. Children’s Press, 1999.
Videoconferences Available
For more information, see
www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl or call Janine Lim
471-7725x101 or email jlim@remc11.k12.mi.us
5.1.1
Ice Age from Cranbrook Institute of Science
Instruction
Assessment
Benchmark Question: What is the earth’s surface
like?
The student will draw and write a
description of six or more major features
of earth’s surface.
Focus Question: How could you describe the major
features of the earth’s surface?
(Give students rubric before activity.)
Scoring Rubric
The teacher will pose the focus question. The
students will then look for pictures in old magazines
which reflect all of the key concepts. Upon
completion of their research, the students will
classify their pictures based on physical features.
(link) During the classification process, students will
come to a consensus on how to describe the
features. The students will then present their
pictures and explain the reasoning for their
classifications orally. Teacher should monitor
students for misconceptions. Teacher will discuss
with class the rubric.
Additional resource for the teacher: Earth’s Features
(link)
Criteria
Apprentice
Basic
Meets
Exceeds
Number of
illustrations
Illustrates four
or fewer major
features of the
Earth’s
surface.
Illustrates
five different
major
features of
the Earth’s
surface.
Illustrates six
different
features of
the Earth’s
surface.
Illustrates
more than six
different
features of the
Earth’s
surface.
Completeness Writes four or
of descriptions fewer
descriptions of
major features
of the Earth’s
surface.
Writes five
descriptions
of major
features of
the Earth’s
surface.
Writes six
accurate
descriptions
of major
features of
the Earth’s
surface.
Writes more
than six
descriptions of
major features
of the Earth’s
surface.
Teacher Notes:
Describe the earth's surface.
Elementary students are likely unaware of the size, shape and variety of surfaces of the earth beyond their
neighborhoods, but soon learn that all the geosphere is made of similar material. They learn that under the
pavement and the ground floors are soil, rock, and water. The students begin to realize that the surface of the
earth is extremely uneven, but the difference between mountains, hills, rocks, pebbles, and soil is only size not
composition. They learn that mountains are formed and worn down into the other features. Through various
media and field trips, students observe that beyond their sidewalks, fields and neighborhood buildings, there
are mountains and valleys, hills and plains, lakes and ponds, rivers and creeks, deserts and rainforests.
Through the study of maps, an understanding develops that the earth is round and that the features of the
earth are diverse.