Standard 3-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of places and regions in South
Carolina and the role of human systems in the state.
Enduring Understanding: People utilize, adapt to, and modify the physical environment to meet their
needs. They also identify regions based on geographic and human characteristics to help them
interpret Earth’s complexity. To understand how people interact with the physical environment, the
student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indicators:
Focus standard
3-1.1 Categorize the six landform regions of SC—the Blue Ridge, the Piedmont,
the Sand Hills, the Inner Coastal Plain, the Outer Coastal Plain, and the Coastal
Zone--according to their climate, physical features, and natural resources.
Read Alouds
Tiger’s Journey Through The Palmetto State by Aimee Aryal (Gamecock version
too)
Lowcountry A to Z
Activities
Me on a Map
My Place in Space
Regions
 Students label/color outline map showing regions
 SC Landforms Power point
 Powerpoint-SC regions
 Powerpoint-Six Land regions
 Textbook pages on each region-fill in graphic organizer
 Matching game-provide description of region, have students identify
 Show students photos and see if they can identify region
 Relief map (Blue Ridge-gum drops, Piedmont-cotton, Sandhills-sprinkles,
Coastal Zone-goldfish)
 Regions song (also have power point with the words)
 Compare regions (Venn diagram, charts, etc.)
 Create a chart (flipbook) listing region and land/climate, cities, features,
etc.
 Students write a letter persuading someone why a certain region is the
best
 Tourism brochure-could create for region or state (similar to ones you pick
up in restaurants, etc.)
Map Skills:
 Use any of the maps in the atlas. Have students identify the title and
discuss how this shows what the map is. Review directions with students
(Never Eat Sour Watermelons, etc.) and give some practice questions. Ex.
What is north of _____?
 Legend-show students some examples in atlas. Teacher could draw a
map of classroom and have students help create legend (what should be
desks, shelves, etc.)
 Orientation-use atlas to practice right, left, etc. Teacher could have
students try to draw her directions (draw a square in the top corner. In the
middle of your paper, write the number 7. To the left of the number, make
a heart, etc).
 Scale-this is the first time students are introduced to this. Look at sample
map scales and explain that some maps are larger/smaller. Show students
how to use a scale (use ruler, paper, other measure) and have students
practice.
Streamline/
Websites
http://studysc.org/elementary/sc-regions awesome-click on region, brings back
info
www.sciway.net (in search box-type a region)
http://scaquarium.org/Education/teachers.html (visit exhibits)
http://www.cas.sc.edu/cege/resources/southcarolina.html resources-daily
geography questions; access map folio with lots of SC maps
http://cherokee.agecon.clemson.edu/ag_maps.htm links to SC agriculture infoincludes charts and maps
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/teachers-packets/mapadventures/ great series of
lessons on general map skills
Video:
20 minute segments on each region-search South Carolina Geography
Detective Bonz and the SC History Mystery Part 5: South Carolina’s 6 Regions
(21:52)
United Streaming-(song) Teacher and the Rockbots Landforms (4:05)
Focus Standard
Read Alouds
Activities
3-1.2 Describe the location and characteristics of significant features of South
Carolina, including landforms; river systems such as the Pee Dee River Basin, the
Santee River Basin, the Edisto River Basin, and the Savannah River Basin; major
cities; and climate regions.
P is for Palmetto by Carol Crane
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Streamline/
Websites
Create a relief map of SC (using candy, Play-Do, etc.)
Create a map with landforms, including a map key
Landform matching game-create game showing picture and definition of
various landforms
Textbook pages 9-15 (landforms)
Examine climate map of SC
Visit each city’s official website
Provide students blank map with rivers. Students should label/color code
the four major river systems, create map key
Textbook
http://studysc.org/elementary/sc-regions awesome-click on region, brings back
info
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/scland.htm
maps
http://www.cas.sc.edu/cege/resources/southcarolina.html resources-daily
geography questions; access map folio with lots of SC maps
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45000.html provides lots of info about SC
statistics-can also search by city*
Rivers:
http://mystatehistory.com/sc8/south_carolina_08/sc_pdf/ch_2_2.pdf
on-line Textbook pages about rivers-great photos
http://www.scetv.org/index.php/web_of_water/
Click on region, video of water features there, excellent photos
Focus Standard
3-1.3 Explain interactions between the people and the physical landscape of
South Carolina over time, including the effects on population distribution, patterns
of migration, access to natural resources, and economic development.
Read Alouds
Activities
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Streamline/
Websites
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/activity/why-peoplemove/?ar_a=1&ar_r=999 lesson about migration/why people move
Compare various maps, have students discuss (search sciway)
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45000.html provides lots of info about SC
statistics-can also search by city*