Geography Standard Four - Grades 4-5

Sample Activities

Using an atlas, students might develop a list of characteristics which apply to the local region (rainfall patterns, population distribution, topography, etc.), and find other region in the world with similar characteristics [Regions].

Students might compare the home places of immigrants to Delaware, either today or in the past, with the profile of the local area. They would then identify adjustments individuals or families might have to make in moving from one region to another [Regions].

This activity relates to History Standard Four, concerning the early history of Delaware settlement.

Students might be asked to explain changes in the use of land in a community over time, using air photos, historical documents, interviews with representative citizens, etc., in order to determine what makes the community distinctive, or similar to others in the region [Regions].

Students might write a story about the consequences for the community if it was completely cut off for three days from the rest of the world: no fuel, no food from the outside, no mail, etc. [Regions].

This activity relates to the Civics standard which addresses the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students could consider what, if anything, happens to the rights of citizens when the community is under stress.

Students might compile a list of local businesses and services; then they would map a selection and then try to explain their location in terms of why some establishments cluster, and others are attracted to locate next to their markets or other suppliers [Regions].

This activity relates to Economic Standard Two.

Using the yellow pages or city directories, students could compare the relationship between types of services and the size of the settlement (e.g., compare the location of hospitals, doctors offices, drug stores, and banks in Sussex county communities); they could then do the same for services, such as high schools, elementary schools, fire stations, police stations, etc. [Regions].

to Geography Standard Four.