Lesson- Three Regions of Latin America: Physical features, natural resources and the effects those have on the population of each region

Latin America: Our Neighbors at Home and to the South

Three Regions of Latin America Lesson Plan:
Physical Features, Natural Resources and the Effects Those Have on the Population of Each Region.

Essential Questions Adressed through these lessons:

Question #2-What are the main geographic features of Latin America and how do they affect people's lives? Students will learn to distinguish the three regions of Latin America using maps. They will be able to identify major geographical features of each region that affect the lives of people living in close proximity to these natural landforms.

Skills:

Use regional maps.
Identify major physical features of Latin America.
Extract information from written material and record (take notes) using a graphic organizer.
Identify causes and effect relationship between geography and the peoples of Latin America.

Materials: Atlas, blank map of Latin America, colored pencils, World Explorer Latin America textbook, markers and social studies journal.

Procedures:

Instruct students to create a map key that shows the color coding system for the three regions of Latin America.
Students must draw borders and label the three regions of Latin America-the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, and South America. They should use a dashed line to show the border between Mexico and Central America. Following this labeling procedure, students should be instructed to color the blank map of Latin America using their color coding system to distinguish the three regions.
Students must then draw and label the following physical features on their maps: The Amazon Basin, the Amazon River, the Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert, and the Sonoran Desert.
After the maps have been labeled, students need to create a chart in their social studies journal listing each of the three regions as column headings. In each column of the chart they are to describe the main physical features and natural resources of the region. The effects of the geographical location and resources on the population of that region should be listed in the last row of each column. The chart should have three rows, one labeled: "Physical Features", another labeled, "Natural Resources," and the last one labeled: "Effects on the People." Students must fill in the chart with at least two examples in each box of the chart.

Assessment and Evaluation:

Students’ maps will be assessed based on factual accuracy, legibility, and correspondence with the map key.

Students’ charts will be judged on the following criteria:

Two entries for each category.
Clear connection between effects on the population and physical features or natural resources listed.
Supporting details that show evidence of drawing conclusions based on reading of text and use of atlas.

Acceptable: Responses include two factually correct statements in each box.

Commendable: Responses include two factually correct statements in each box including statements that convey the cause and effect relationship between the categories.

Outstanding: Responses include more than two factually correct statements in each box. There are examples listed for each statement and clear evidence of the cause and effect relationship between geography and lifestyle. There is evidence of student’s ability to draw conclusions based on material from reading passages.

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