Comparing the Regions of Texas

Students label the four physical regions of Texas on a map. Then they create a general map of Texas, with a list of things to include. Next they create a chart comparing and contrasting the four regions. Finally they evaluate their school’s location and how it fits the region’s typical physical characteristics.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

Overview

In this experience, students label the four physical regions of Texas on a map. Then they create a general map of Texas, with a list of things to include. Next they create a chart comparing and contrasting the four regions. Finally they evaluate their school’s location and how it fits the region’s typical physical characteristics.

Estimated duration: 50-75 minutes, depending on which strategy you choose for completing the map

Discovery Reading

A printable Discovery Reading is included in the student pack as a support for understanding the experience’s core content and concepts. This Discovery Reading is not necessary to complete the experience and serves as an optional support resource.

Vocabulary Words:

These vocabulary words are used in the experience or connect closely to the standards and content students examine. Students should understand these terms as they work through the experience.

physical regions of Texas: the four main parts of Texas with different landforms, climate, vegetation, and economic activities: Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, and Coastal Plains
landforms: natural features of Earth’s surface, such as mountains, plains, and basins, that help describe a region
climate: the usual weather conditions of a place over time, such as how hot, dry, or rainy a region is
legend: the part of a map that explains what the colors and symbols on the map mean
compass rose: a map tool that shows directions such as north, south, east, and west
scale: a map tool that shows how distances on a map compare to real distances on the land
similarities and differences: ways people compare regions by telling how they are alike and how they are not alike

Objectives

Compare and contrast the four main regions of Texas.
Organize information onto a map.

In order to complete this experience, students must have completed the experiences: Regions of Texas: Mountains & Basins, Regions of Texas: Great Plains, Regions of Texas: North Central Plains, and Regions of Texas: Coastal Plains. Students will use what they have learned in these prior experiences to complete the tasks in this experience.

Engage

Texas is divided into four regions—the Mountains and Basins, the Great Plains, the North Central Plains, and Coastal Plains. The regions are determined by the physical geography, such as landforms, climate, and vegetation. You have learned about the regions in this unit. In this experience, you will summarize what you have learned so far.

Objectives

Compare and contrast the four main regions of Texas.
Organize information onto a map.

If your students have completed the previous four experiences in this unit, they should be able to correctly label the map.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.