Unit of Study:
Geography - Looking at Where We Live
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
Integrated Social Studies, Grade 2
Geography Unit of Study
Week at a Glance
Week
Instructional Focus Reading
Workshop Writing Workshop
Revising &
Editing
1
Map Tools (5A, 5B)
Poetry
MOY DPM
Poetry
Verb Tense-Past
& Present
2
Landforms (6A, 6C) Poetry
Verb Tense-
Future
3
Bodies of Water (6A, 6C) Singular Nouns
4
Places of Interest (6B, 6C) Traditional
Literature
Folktales, Fables
& Fairy Tales Plural Nouns
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT UNIT
The lessons in this unit are geared toward the 2nd grade TEKS. Teachers are
encouraged to modify these activities as needed.
In the Unit Overview, the Bloom’s verbs have been underlined and critical skills have
been color coded purple. It is recommended that the INSS objective for the week be
placed where the students can view it.
BrainPop Jr. – Social Studies Word Wall is a great resource to use for vocabulary
activities. http://www.brainpopjr.com/big_word_wall/socialstudies/ Brain Pop and
Brain Pop Jr. are paid subscription site, but does offer some free content. Check
with your campus librarian to see if your campus has a subscription. You must be logged in to Discovery Education before viewing any of the streaming
resources.
LIBRARY RESOURCES
http://www.cfisd.net/dept2/library/library_el.htm
Check your campus library page for online resources to use for social studies content lessons
and read alouds.
Grade 2 Integrated Social Studies Curriculum
Unit 4: Geography Unit Length: 4 Weeks
Conceptual Lens: Patterns and Adaptations
Social Studies TEKS: 2.5(A) interpret information on maps and globes using basic map elements such as title, orientation
(north, south, east, west), and legend/map keys
2.5(B) create maps to show places and routes within the home, school, and community
2.6(A) identify major landforms and bodies of water, including each of the continents and each of
the oceans, on maps and globes
2.6(B) locate places of significance, including the local community, Texas, the state capital, the U.S.
capital, major cities in Texas, the coast of Texas, Canada, Mexico, and the United States on maps
and globes
2.6(C) examine information from various sources about places and regions
Unit Overview:
Students will gain a basic understanding of simple geographic tools and how to use those tools to
interpret maps and globes and create maps of their own. The student will also understand the
locations and characteristics of places and regions in the community, state, and nation.
Literature
Selections:
Teachers may choose a variety of literature for the read aloud selections to develop students’
understanding of the social studies concepts. Please see Appendix A for suggested resources.
Map Tools Overview: Week 1
Enduring Understandings/Generalizations Guiding/Essential Questions
Students will understand the use of simple geographic tools is
essential in the study of where one lives in relation to other places.
How do we use maps and globes to understand our world?
How does geography impact people; how do people impact
geography?
Why are maps and globes important?
Would life be different if we didn’t have maps and globes?
Why would you use a map?
When would it be necessary to use symbols?
How would life be different if we didn’t have cardinal
directions?
Students will . . .
participate in discussions and express ideas in a written format about the unit’s enduring understandings and guiding questions.
use primary and secondary sources to gain information about a topic
understand key vocabulary terms
examine information from various sources about places and regions
use geographic tools such as title, orientation, and keys to interpret information on a map and globe
create maps to show places and routes within the home, school, and community
Instructional Resources: Week 1
Teacher Materials Teacher Notes Assessments (%) Technology
Horizons Textbook
p. A6-7: USA, Mexico,
Canada
p. 24-25-Read a Map Key
p. 39-Apply Map & Globe
Skills (can be used as an
assessment)
p. 126-127-Find Directions on
a Map (this can be used as
an independent reading
selection and an assessment)
Geography PPTs and
games
Globe and laminated
maps of Texas and the
United States
Map Review PPT (iXplore)
Directions PPT (iXplore) –
Start the slide show from
the beginning in slide
show mode to introduce
orientation concepts and
then assess the students.
Appendix A – Suggested
Literature
Appendix B - Map Poems
– these can be used as a
read aloud or poem of
the week.
The following pages in
the Horizons Textbook
contain questions
student can answer in
their ISN for a grade.
p. 24-Read a Map Key p.
39-Map & Globe Skills p.
126-Directions
Direction assessment on PPT
Coaster Compass Rose-Appendix C
Pre-assessment map skills-Appendix D
Reading a Map (website) – can be
used as an assessment after the
Thursday lesson.
Blank North America map-
Appendix E
Geography sites on
Only2Clicks
Community Map
United States & Neighbors -
map
Map Quest
Google Maps
Geography Games
Symbols and Keys quiz
Direction quiz
Adventure Island – this
is a great interactive site
that assesses the
student’s knowledge of
map symbols in a
legend.
Reading a Map – use
as an assessment
after the Thursday
lesson.
Create a Map
Kids Infobits: Geography &
Map Terms
Map Tools Pacing Guide: Week 1
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Vocabulary Read Aloud Read Aloud Read Aloud Current Events
Focus: Map Review
Before the lesson: create
a KWL chart on chart
paper or electronically.
Start a discussion with
students about what
they know and want to
know about maps.
Students can use sticky
notes to place
information on the chart.
Use the Map Review
PPT (iXplore) to go over
key vocabulary
concepts for the unit.
Conduct a read aloud
using one of the
suggested literature
selections or a selection
from your class or
campus library about
maps and map skills.
Teacher can conduct
activities using
suggested vocabulary
words to build
background knowledge.
Map (definition, TBp. 3)
Cardinal Directions
(definition, TBp. 98,124)
Map Key
Map Legend
Map Symbols
Geography (definition,
TBp. 98)
Focus: Directions
Use slides 1-7 of the
Directions PPT to
introduce the concepts
of cardinal directions on
a map.
Use slides 8-12 to assess
the students (%)
Students can use p. 126-
127 in the Horizons
textbook as an
independent reading
selection. The questions
on p. 126 can be used as
a quick assessment. (%)
Optional-Have students
make and label a
coaster compass rose.
(%) They can paste it on
the map they create at
the end of the unit.
(Appendix C)
Focus: Map Legend/Key
Conduct a RA using See
Westburg by Bus! In the
Journeys textbook p. 151-
152. Before you read,
have students locate the
compass rose on the
map. Then have student
infer what the item is at
the bottom of p. 151.
Explain it is a map key or
legend and it contains
symbols, which are
pictures that represent
something else on a map.
During the RA, bring in
direction skills learned
from the previous day.
(EX: Which direction
would you walk from the
Welcome center to the
Library?)
Students can read p. 24-
25 in the Horizons
textbook as an
independent reading
selection.
Assess student
understanding by having
them answer the
questions on Appendix D.
(%)
Focus: Locating Places
on a Map and Globe
Use p. A6-7 in the
Horizons textbook as a
resources for showing
students the location of
the United States of
America, our neighbors
to the south (Mexico),
and our neighbors to
the north (Canada).
Using a 3D globe or an
online version of a
globe, have students
locate these places.
Have them locate the
same places on a map.
To assess student
knowledge, have them
label these places on a
blank map. Appendix
E- (%)
Students can write a
short story using
present and past
tense verbs about a
trip they took or
directions on how to
get from one place to
another.
Landforms Overview: Week 2
Enduring Understandings/Generalizations Guiding/Essential Questions
The student understands the locations and characteristics of
places and regions in the community, state, and nation.
What is a continent?
How many continents are there?
Students will . . .
participate in discussions and express ideas in a written format about the unit’s enduring understandings and guiding questions.
use primary and secondary sources to gain information about a topic
understand key vocabulary terms
identify major landforms including each of the 7 continents using a map and globe
examine information from various sources about places and regions
Instructional Resources: Week 2
Teacher Materials Teacher Notes Assessments (%) Technology
Horizon Textbook
Appendix F – Map of the World
(Labeled) – can use for display or
color coding by the students
Appendix G – Map of the World
(blank) – can use as an
assessment
Appendix H – Note-taking page
for student ISN
Continents & Oceans PPT (iXplore)
Continents & Oceans Notebook
file (iXplore)
Poems & Songs PPT (iXplore)
Appendix G – World
Map (blank) – can use
as an assessment. This is
also located in iXplore.
Appendix H – Note-
taking page for student
ISN
Word Search (iXplore)
Learning the Continents Through
Song & Poetry
Continent and Ocean quiz
Continents & Ocean flashcard
game
Oceans of the World – contains a
short promo of a Disney movie
about oceans. It may be used to
grab the student’s attention
about the subject.
Kids Infobits: Continents &
Regions
Landforms Pacing Guide: Week 2
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Vocabulary Read Aloud Read Aloud Current Events
Teacher can conduct
activities using suggested
vocabulary words to build
background knowledge.
Globe (definition, TBp.
124
Map (definition-TBp. 3)
Continent (definition,
TBp. 122)
Focus: Map vs. Globe
Before the lesson –
make a Venn diagram
on chart paper or
create one
electronically. Title it
Globe/Map.
Use the diagram &
slides 2-3 of the
Continents & Oceans
PPT to compare and
contrast information
about a map & globe.
Conduct a read
aloud using one of the
suggested literature
selections or a
selection from your
class or campus library
about maps and
globes.
Focus: Continents
Use slides 4-14 of the Continents & Oceans PPT
as a read aloud.
Have students take notes using a copy of
Appendix G as you read and discuss the
information (%).
Slides 15 & 16 are mnemonic devices students
can use to learn the continents. As a writing
activity, students and pair up and create their
own mnemonic device.
Use the link on slide 17 to assess the
student’s knowledge of the information
(%).
Students can write a
short story using future
tense verbs about a trip
they would like to take
to a different continent.
Bodies of Water Overview: Week 3
Enduring Understandings/Generalizations Guiding/Essential Questions
The student understands the locations and characteristics of
places and regions in the community, state, and nation.
What is an ocean?
How many oceans are there?
Can you find continents and oceans on a map and a globe?
Students will . . .
participate in discussions and express ideas in a written format about the unit’s enduring understandings and guiding questions.
use primary and secondary sources to gain information about a topic
understand key vocabulary terms
examine information from various sources about places and regions
Identify the 5 major bodies of water using a map and globe
Instructional Resources: Week 3
Teacher Materials Teacher Notes Assessments (%) Technology
Horizon Textbook
Appendix F – Map of the
World (Labeled) – can use for
display or color coding by the
students
Appendix G – Map of the
World (blank) – can use as an
assessment
Appendix H – Note-taking
page for student ISN
Continents & Oceans PPT
(iXplore)
Continents & Oceans
Notebook file (iXplore)
Poems & Songs PPT (iXplore)
The maps within the
textbook do not include
the new Southern
Ocean.
Appendix G – World
Map (blank) – can use
as an assessment. This
is also located in
iXplore.
Appendix H – Note
taking page for
student ISN
Word Search
(iXplore)
Learning the Continents
Through
Song & Poetry
Continent and Ocean quiz
Continents & Ocean
flashcard game
Oceans of the World –
contains a short promo of a
Disney movie about oceans.
It may be used to grab the
student’s attention about the
subject.
Bodies of Water Pacing Guide: Week 3
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Vocabulary Read Aloud Read Aloud Read Aloud Current Events
Teacher can conduct
activities using
suggested vocabulary
words to build
background
knowledge.
Ocean
Body of Water
Focus: Oceans
Use slides 18-19 of the Continents & Oceans PPT
as a read aloud.
Have students take notes using a copy of
Appendix G as you read the information (%).
Slides 20 & 21 are mnemonic devices students
can use to learn the oceans. As a writing
activity, students can pair up and create their
own mnemonic device.
Slide 22 is an assessment (%).
Focus: Putting it Together
Students can
complete Appendix F
– World Map -
individually or with a
partner. (%)
Optional: Students
can complete
Appendix I -
Word Search.
This is also
located in
iXplore as a
pdf.
Teachers can use
this time for a read
aloud about a
winter holiday or
conduct holiday
activities with the
students.
POI Overview: Week 4
Enduring Understandings/Generalizations Guiding/Essential Questions
The student understands the locations and characteristics of
places and regions in the community, state, and nation.
Why is it important to be able to locate places on a map or a
globe?
Students will . . .
participate in discussions and express ideas in a written format about the unit’s enduring understandings and guiding questions.
use primary and secondary sources to gain information about a topic
understand key vocabulary terms
locate places of significance, including the local community, Texas, the state capital, the U.S.capital, major cities in Texas, the coast
of Texas, Canada, Mexico, and the United States on maps and globes
examine information from various sources about places and regions
Instructional Resources: Week 4
Teacher Materials Teacher Notes Assessments (%) Technology
Horizons Textbook:
p. 2-Austin, Texas
p.3-Houston, Texas and a map
other major cities in Texas
p. 6-Top 5 Cities in Texas
p. 7- Dallas & DFW
p. 118-The Gulf of Mexico
p.119-US, Mexico, and Canada
p. 159-Texas map w/ major cites
Teachers may want to
use the story in the
Horizons textbook on
pp. 100-111 (Tulip Sees
America) as a read
aloud to wrap up the
unit.
Point of Interest (POI)-a
specific point location that
someone may find useful or
interesting
Significant
Veteran
Kids Infobits: Famous
Places – Washington D.C.
Map Quest
Google Maps
Points Of Interest Pacing Guide: Week 4
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Holiday Read Aloud Read Aloud Read Aloud Read Aloud
Focus: Points of Interest-
Countries
Explain to the students
they will be locating
places on a map during
the week.
Using a laminated, paper
copy or electronic map,
have students locate the
following;
United States
Mexico
Canada
Teachers may choose to
conduct a read aloud
using a book about
locating places on a
map.
Focus: Points of Interest-Texas
Using a laminated, paper
copy or electronic map,
have students locate the
following;
Our State: Texas
Our State Capital:
Austin
Gulf of Mexico
Major cities in Texas-
Have students brainstorm a
list of cities they know in
Texas. Record the cities on
chart paper. Students can
locate on a map individually
of with a partner.
Focus: Points of Interest
Explain to students that
not only does Texas have
a capital city, but our
country has a capital as
well which is Washington
D.C.
Teachers may choose to
conduct a read aloud
using a book about our
national capital.
Focus: Our Community
Using a laminated, paper
copy or electronic map, have
students locate the following;
Cy-Fair/Houston -
Where is our school
located in the
community?
Where is your house
located in the
community?
Appendix A
Topic Suggested Literature Map Skills
Amazon search
for Geography
Me on the Map, Joan Sweeney (excellent way to introduce the concept of
maps as a flat version of an area on Earth. After reading the book and looking
at a variety of maps, students could take home graph paper and make a map
of their bedroom)
Where Do I Live, Neil Chesanow
Follow That Map: A First Book of Mapping Skills, Scot Ritchie
Maps and Globes, Jack Knowlton
Are We There Yet, Daddy?, Virginia Walters
Mapping P en n y ’s Wor ld , Loreen Leedy (A book that really allows children
to make connections about maps. Penny makes maps of her bedroom and
other places that are important to her. This would be an excellent introduction
to maps. Students could work in small groups and map the classroom, library,
and other rooms in the school.)
Amazing Hands-On Map Activities by Rose Farina is an excellent resource for
teachers. There are very good, simple activities to help students learn about
maps while having fun.
Map in the Mystery Machine by Gail Herman is a book that children will love. The
main character is Scooby Doo who finds a map. This is a quick read aloud. After
the book is finished, students could go on scavenger hunts using maps to find
treasures.
Journeys Main Selections, Leveled & Vocabulary Readers:
See Westburg by Bus! – Journeys Main Selection, Unit 1, p. 151-152
Ferdinand Saves the Day, Ann M. Rossi (Unit 1, Selection 4) Lesson Plan
Sam Finds the Party, Regina Velaqzuez, (Unit 4, Selection 4) Lesson Plan
Finding the Party(Unit 4, Selection 4)
TFK: Maps: Old and New
Tulip Sees America, Cynthia Rylant, Horizons Textbook p. 100-111
Tulip Sees America Writing Lesson
Oceans &
Continents
Amazon search
Journey’s Leveled & Vocabulary Readers:
Antarctic Animals
Exploring Antarctica
Going to the South Pole
McMurdo Station
Penguins
Points of
Interest
Amazon search for National Landmarks
Amazon search for National Monuments
Celebrating Texas: Patriotic Symbols and Landmarks, Trisha James
All books mentioned in the lessons are suggestions. Consult your campus librarian for related
titles that are available at your campus.
Appendix B
Poems about Maps
A Sense of Place
By Cherry Carl Maps outline a special space
And always give us a sense of place.
Where are we going and where have we
been?
How will we get there and when, when,
when?
How many miles will we have to drive?
How will we know when we finally arrive?!
We follow the key, the key on the map,
That’s always there on somebody’s lap!
Will we pass through towns that are very small?
Will we get to see any places at all?
Look at the map and you can see
Just where we are and where we’ll be!
A Key With No Lock
By Cherry Carl Every map has a special key
So you know what is earth and what is the
sea.
Oceans and rivers and lakes are blue,
But I know that and so do you!
Trees and grass are usually green, On
every map that I’ve ever seen! Roads
and freeways are easy signs . . .
They’re usually marked with big black lines.
Every map has a special key,
So, when you look, you’ll always see
Symbols and signs that help you read
The View from Above
By Cherry Carl A map is a picture that holds the key
To finding our way from sea to sea,
With symbols and signs, colors and lines,
And all of the mapmaker’s special designs.
A Rose That Has No Smell
By Cherry Carl
Have you heard of a rose that has no
smell?
I’ll tell you about it, so listen well!
This rose is a special design that shows
Every pirate and sailor which way that he
goes.
“Am I going the way to the treasure
chest?”
Is it north or south or east or west!
Without a compass rose on a map,
My sailors might easily fall for a trap!
All of these poems were written by Cherry Carl, a retired language arts teacher.
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
North America Map
Name: Date: Score:
North America and Adjacent Countries
Appendix F
SOUTHERN OCEAN
Appendix G
Appendix H
On a map or globe, you will find the continents and oceans.
A continent is
_.
The names of the seven continents are:
1. 2. _
3. 4. _
5. 6. _
7.
An ocean is _ .
The five oceans are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Appendix I
Find all of
the
continents
and
oceans in
the grid to
the left.
Africa
Antarctica
Arctic Asia
Atlantic
Australia
Continent
Equator
Europe
Globe
Indian
North America
North Pole
Ocean
Pacific
South
America
South Pole
Southern
Name:
© 2005 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Appendix J
Name: _
Create Your Own Acrostic
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