### Lesson Plan: Geography (Physical Features and Map Skills)
#### Grade Level: 3rd Grade
#### Subject: Social Studies
#### Duration: 60 minutes
#### Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify and describe various physical features of the Earth.
- Students will develop basic map skills, including understanding map symbols, the compass rose, and reading a map key.
- Students will create a simple map that includes physical features and utilizes map skills.
#### Materials Needed:
- World map and/or globe
- Interactive digital map or map-making software (optional)
- Large paper and colored markers/crayons
- Index cards with different physical features (mountain, river, desert, etc.)
- Map symbols handout
- Compass rose worksheet
- Key for maps template
#### Standards Met:
- Understanding geography and the world around us.
- Using geographic tools to locate and analyze information about people, places, and environments.
#### Lesson Outline:
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Engage students**:
- Start with a question: "What do you see when you look out your window? How might those features be represented on a map?"
- Discuss briefly what geography is and how it helps us understand the world.
- Show a globe or world map and point out various physical features (e.g., mountains, rivers, deserts).
**Instruction (20 minutes):**
2. **Present key concepts**:
- **Physical Features**:
- Explain the different physical features of the Earth (e.g., mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts).
- Show pictures or short videos of each feature to solidify understanding.
- **Map Skills**:
- Introduce basic map skills: understanding the compass rose (North, South, East, West), map symbols (legend/key), and how to read them.
- Distribute handouts on map symbols and the compass rose.
- Demonstrate how to use a map key to identify features on a sample map.
3. **Interactive Activity** (10 minutes):
- **Physical Features Match**:
- Hand out index cards with pictures/words of different physical features.
- Have students match them with their names on a large classroom display.
- Discuss why each feature is important and where they might be found.
**Guided Practice (15 minutes):**
4. **Map Creation**:
- Provide each student with a large sheet of paper and colored markers/crayons.
- Guide them in creating a simple map of an imaginary place.
- Instruct them to:
- Draw at least three different physical features (e.g., a mountain range, a river, and a desert).
- Include a compass rose to indicate direction.
- Create a key with symbols representing their physical features (e.g., triangles for mountains, blue lines for rivers).
- Circulate to provide help and ensure understanding.
**Closing (5 minutes):**
5. **Review and Recap**:
- Invite a few students to share their maps with the class.
- Reinforce the importance of knowing physical features and being able to read and create maps.
- Ask the students questions to check understanding: "Why is a compass rose important?" or "What symbol did you use for rivers in your key?"
**Assessment:**
- Evaluate students' maps for inclusion of required elements: three physical features, a compass rose, and a key with symbols.
- Informally assess understanding through class participation and answers during the recap.
**Extensions/Homework:**
- Assign students to create a map of their neighborhood, including at least three physical features and utilizing a key and compass rose.
- Encourage students to explore an interactive world map online and identify various physical features they learned about in class.
By the end of the lesson, students should have a foundational understanding of physical geography and basic map skills, which are essential components of social studies education.