4th Grade Level

one, 30-40 minute period

3. Geography
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate
their understanding of the geography of the interdependent world in which we live –local, national, and global—including the distribution of people, places and environments over the Earth’s surface.

Geography/History

1. Topographical map for each student with key.
Teacher Note: Children should have previously learned how to read a topographical map.

cooperative groups/inquiry

1. Students will locate and label major sites related to the
Revolutionary War in the Hudson River Valley.
2. Students will examine the topographical features of each site
and list a few of these features.
3. Students will list two advantages of each military site.

1. Activate prior knowledge relative to topographical features on
maps.

1. Working in groups, students will use geographical clues. To locate and label major American Revolutionary War battle sites and strategic locations of the Hudson River Valley. If relevant, have students place their own hometown.
2. After placing the sites on the map, students in groups examine the geographical features of each site and make a list of what they observe from the map.
3. In groups, students will speculate on and list the possible military advantages of each site.

1. With the teacher, students can compare their observations of the military advantages with those of military historians.

1. If relevant, have students write their own clues to help others locate their town on the map.
2. Have each student choose a military site and explain why they would like to defend it.