Curriculum Standards

This lesson asks students to consider how the geography of a state affects the choices people make in the state, particularly how those choices affect the economy and environment.  This lesson also asks students to work collaboratively in a team to make decisions and present those decisions persuasively.  Another key element of this lesson is to involve the students in a problem solving activity that uses technology in a real-life way, just as adults would use it.  

South Carolina Social Studies Standards Addressed

Geography:  People, Places, and Environments

3.10 The learner will demonstrate an understanding of places and regions. 

3.10.1  The student should be able to identify physical characteristics (e.g., landforms, river systems, climate regions) and the natural resources in South Carolina and their relationship to economic activities.

3.10.2  The student should be able to discuss the location and distribution of human characteristics (e.g., population, land use, transportation and communication systems) and political units in South Carolina.

3.10.3   The student should be able to locate the physical and human characteristics in his or her community and in nearby communities.

South Carolina English Language Arts Standards Addressed

Writing

3-W1.3.  The student will demonstrate the ability to develop an extended response around a central idea, using relevant supporting details.

Communication

3-C3.3.  The student will demonstrate the ability to summarize information that he or she receives from nonprint sources.

3-C3.4.  The student will begin distinguishing between fact and opinion, comparing and contrasting information and ideas, and making inferences with regard to what he or she has viewed.  

3-C3.5.  The student will demonstrate the ability to make connections between material from nonprint sources and his or her prior knowledge, other sources, and the world.  

Research

3-RS2.1.  The student will demonstrate the ability to use a variety of resources, including technology, to access information.  

3-RS2.2.  The student will demonstrate the ability to gather information from a variety of sources, including those accessed through the use of technology.  

3-RS3.1.  The student will demonstrate the ability to organize and classify information by constructing categories.  

3-RS3.3.  The student will demonstrate the ability to present his or her research findings in a variety of formats.