Rationale

In this second grade unit, we will be learning about different geographic tools that we can

use to help us find places in the word (e.g. globes, atlases, maps, photographs, etc.) and the

physical features that we may see in those places (e.g. landforms, rivers, lakes, oceans, trees,

wildlife, flowers, etc.). This unit was selected because the students will be taking a science unit

later in the year about how weather affects different landforms on Earth. Furthermore, this unit

will prepare students to learn about landforms and how they have changed over time due to

things such as erosion. We will mainly be using standards 7.1.1A. - Identify how basic

geographic tools are used to organize information and 7.2.2.A - Identify the physical

characteristics of places.

For assessments, we will have multiple formative assessments, a performance-based

assessment, and a summative assessment. For formative assessments, we will be completing

interactive activities such as Kahoot and Quizizz as well as completing exit slips. During our

unit, we will use an interactive notebook where we will store information. This notebook will

also be looked at and graded for formative assessments. For our performance-based assessment,

we will be creating a map of our neighborhood. We will either use Google Draw or hand draw

our maps. This map will include five or more labeled physical features. Along with the creation

of our maps, we will be reading non-fiction books, atlases, maps, articles, and looking at photos

of the area we live in. We will then write a small blurb about our neighborhood with selected

facts about the area. The summative assessment will be taking a traditional paper and pencil test

for both the pre and post assessments. This test will include thought provoking multiple choice

questions, true and false questions, matching, and short answer response questions.

Other disciplines of learning will include mathematics and ELA.