Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand basic geography concepts and apply them while building forts outside.
Materials and Prep
- Blank paper
- Pencils or markers
- Access to outdoor space
No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.
Activities
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Start by discussing the concept of geography with the student. Explain that geography is the study of the Earth's surface, including its landforms, climate, and how people interact with their environment.
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Take the student outside to a suitable area for building forts. Encourage them to observe the natural features of the environment, such as hills, trees, and rocks.
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Ask the student to use the blank paper and pencils/markers to create a simple map of the area. They should include the major landmarks and features they observed, such as trees, hills, and any other distinctive elements.
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Once the map is complete, have the student use it as a guide to build a fort in the outdoor space. Encourage them to consider the natural features they included in their map and incorporate them into their fort design.
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After the fort is built, have the student explain their design choices and how they utilized the geography of the area to create a functional and enjoyable fort.
Third Grade Talking Points
- "Geography is all about studying the Earth's surface and how people interact with it."
- "When we go outside, we can observe different features of the environment, like hills and trees."
- "Using paper and pencils, we can create a map to represent the area we are exploring."
- "Based on our map, we can build a fort that incorporates the natural features we observed."
- "By using the geography of the area, our fort will be both functional and fun to play in."