The University of Scranton

Megan Matchett and Ciara Dunlea

EDUC 359
Professor Reilly
13 May 2015
Title: Geography of South America
Subject Area(s): Social Studies
Grade Level: 4th grade
Summary: Today students will learn about the geography of South America by exploring
the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Standards:
7.1.4.B: Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human
features.
7.2.4.A: Identify the physical characteristics of places and regions.
7.3.4.A: Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the
following criteria:
Population
Culture
Settlement
Economic activities
Political activities
7.4.4.A: Identify the effect of the physical systems on people within a community.
7.4.4.B: Identify the effect of people on the physical systems within a community.
Objectives:
Content:
Explain the effects of natural disasters in Colombia
Compare and contrast the economy of Ecuador to the U.S.
Identify key characteristics about culture and politics in Venezuela
Language:
Accurately create a Venn diagram about the economy in Ecuador and the U.S.
after reading the passages
Essential Questions
1. How can you compare South American countries to each other and to the U.S.?
2. Can you identify South America and its countries on a map?
3. How can you predict the effects of volcanoes on people?
Vocabulary: population, economics, petroleum, import, export, natural resources
Statement of Learning: Today you will learn about the geography of South America by
exploring the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela
Materials: SmartBoard, Volcano worksheet, Venn diagram, Ecuador and U.S. passages,
President worksheet, Intro to South America video https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=oKrVndWr9wA
Procedure:
Before:
Anticipatory Set:

1. Teachers will begin the lesson by showing students the map of South America and
playing a video about South America.
During:
1. Teachers will use a Smartboard display to focus on the northern part of South
America (the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador).
2. The student will "visit" each of the three countries.
3. In Ecuador, the student will read a passage on the economics in both Ecuador and
the United States and will complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting
the two countries.
4. In Venezuela, the student will learn about the president, Nicols Maduro.
5. In Columbia, the student will learn about the volcanoes that challenge that
country.
After:
Closure: As a review, the student will complete an interactive quiz on the
SmartBoard.
Extension Activities/Enrichment: The unit goes over the other countries in
South America. The student will learn about the similarities and differences in all of the
South American Countries.
Formative Assessment (including differentiated assessment): The quiz on the
SmartBoard serves as an assessment. Many learning styles are incorporated into this
lesson such as: visual, auditory, applied, spatial, verbal, social, independent, creative, and
pragmatic.