4th Grade California Relief Map Project

This month we have been studying and discussing the 4 regions of California in Social
Studies. It is now your childs chance to demonstrate what they have learned by
constructing a relief map. A relief map is a map that you can feel. Once your map is
complete you should be able to touch and feel the mountains, valleys, deserts and coast of
California (models shown to students in class).

Projects will be due on October 6th , 2017! Please use your

time wisely, as more than enough time is being given to
complete the project and do a good job. No late projects
will be accepted, so get started early and dont wait until
the last minute. This project will account for a major portion
of your social studies grade!

This is your map to decorate, so be original. However, please

do not make the map too heavy, as it will be hung on the
wall in class. Have fun constructing and decorating your
California map!

Directions:

Cut out the attached template of California

Glue the template of California onto the provided paper plate,

or sketch Californias outline onto the provided paper plate.

Use a pencil to sketch each of the four regions, the Sacramento

River and the San Joaquin River onto your map of CA. (You
may use the map on this paper or google California Regions to
help you with the regions.)

Paint/Decorate and label the regions, the rivers and the landmarks from the rubric Use
different materials to represent each region (i.e. dirt for deserts, pine tree stems for the
trees on the mountains, pebbles or sand for coast regions, small toy crops in the central
valley, and blue paint for the Pacific Ocean.

Use the Rubric on the next page to make sure you have all of the necessary parts for your
map

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I have reviewed this assignment with my child and understand that late submissions will not be
accepted

__________________________ _________________________ __________

Adult Signature Student Signature Date
 RUBRIC
Please use this sample rubric to insure your project has all of the necessary parts of the project to
receive a grade of 100% on this project!
Relief map should include the following:

___ California template (provided size) _____/ 5 pts.

___ Map Title California Relief Map _____/ 5 pts.

___ Legend (4 regions) _____/ 5 pts.

___ Label Bordering States or Countries (OR, AR, NV, Mexico) _____/ 5 pts.

___ Compass Rose (N, E, S, W, NW, SE, NW, SW) _____/ 5 pts.

___ California Regions (decorated and labeled using correct color)

___ Central Valley - green _____/ 10 pts.
___ Mountains grey _____/ 10 pts.
___ Deserts brown _____/ 10 pts.
___ Coast yellow _____/ 10 pts.

___ Identified Landmarks / Places / Rivers

___ Sierra Nevada Mountain Range _____/ 5 pts.
___ Mohave Desert _____/ 5 pts.
___ Mt. Whitney (highest point in CA) _____/ 5 pts.
___ Death Valley (lowest point in CA) _____/ 5 pts.
___ Sacramento River _____/ 5 pts.
___ San Joaquin River _____/ 5 pts.
___ Sacramento (State Capitol) _____/ 5 pts.

Total: ______/100 pts.