The Geographic Doctor Seuss
Adapted from Kristel McCubbin

Overview:

This is an introductory lesson to teach students the theme of region. This lesson will be taught at the beginning of the year in conjunction with lessons on location, movement, human-environment interaction and place.

Connection with the Curriculum:

Literature, geography

Teaching Levels: 4-6th grade

Connection to National Geography Standards:

Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools and technologies to acquire process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
Standard 5: That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity.

Connection to Oregon State Content Standards:

1. Read, interpret and make maps, charts and graphs to explain spatial relationships."

2. Identify the physical and human characteristics of places and regions and how they change through time.

Materials:

White paper
Colored pencils
Copy of Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Sues
Overhead projector
Overhead pens

Procedure:
    1. Define region using semantic mapping (see attached).
    2. Read Yertle the Turtle to the class.
    3. Discuss how Yertle defined region.
    4. Brainstorm ways humans define region write list on overhead.
    5. Discuss conflict created between Yertle and the other turtles, as Yertle wanted to increase the area he ruled. Ask students to give examples of border disputes they may know of (refer to current news).
    6. Have students draw a map divided into regions. Students having trouble can refer to brainstorm list.

Suggested Assessment:

A scoring guide is not necessary for this lesson. Through brainstorming and discussion, the teacher can monitor the students' understanding of the concept of region. Individual student understanding of the concept will be evident in the map (s)he has drawn.