Lesson Background:

Brittany Nyhus

4th Grade

Subject: Social Studies and Geography

Lesson Title: Oranges arent grown in Iowa
Materials Needed:
- Climate and Topography Maps
- Elmo
- Blown up map of the United States
- Sticky Notes
- Markers/Crayons
- Group Checklists
- iPads/Computers
Prerequisite Skills:
Knowledge of regions, their physical characteristics and maps, can identify states in the
U.S. understanding of what plants need to grow, ability to use books and the internet to
research.
A B C D Lesson Objective:
4th grade students will be able to identify the main foodstuffs produced in the four
regions of the United States and explain at least 2 reasons as to why those foodstuffs are
produced there. Students will complete this objective by drawing on a map piece.
Standards:
1. National Geography Standard: Environment and Society
The physical environment provides opportunities for and imposes
constraints on human activities
2. NCSS: People, Places, and Environments
This strand relates to the objectives because students will identify how the
environment and geographical features of a location affects what types of
products are grown in that location.
Interaction With Students:
1. Provide objectives:
Time: 1 min.
We have learned about the various regions of the United States and their physical
characteristics. Today we are going to explore the question of why certain food products
that we eat are grown in very specific parts of the United States. In collaborative groups
well research food products for each region and explain our thinking as to why they are
grown where they are by drawing on a map.
2. Lesson Procedures:

Time: 25-30 min

Lets look at the climate and topography maps. What do these maps tell us? How can we
use the information we see here to help us answer our question of why certain types of
food are grown in specific regions?
Allow time for student answers in between questions. Note: Questions may not
follow that order completely allow students to discuss and build upon their ideas of
resources they can use to answer our question.
To answer our question were going to focus on plants specifically. In your
groups youre going to get a group checklist with resources you can use to identify which
types of food (plant based) are grown in your specific region. Your group checklist will
also have the questions you need to answer and directions for completing the task.
Put students in groups and pass out checklists.
Lets go through what we need to accomplish together. In your groups you each
must find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific regions. You can
help each other but each person must find at least one. You will draw that food in your
specific region on our map. Next grab a post it, write your initials on it and give at least
two reasons as to why that food is grown in that specific region.
Give students time to work utilize clipboard cruising to identify which students
are on task, who is contributing what etc.
As we come back together as a class, what was some of the food we found that
doesnt grow here in Iowa? Were there similarities between why certain plants were
grown in specific regions?
Were going to continue talking about how natural resources and the
environment affect what can be grown in different parts of the United States. As we
continue learning about this, think about how much the environment and geography of an
area can affect our lives.
3. Assessment:
Time: Throughout class
Clipboard cruising for participation: students will know that in groups the below
checklist is what is being asked of them.
Each student will have a sticky note on the map with two reasons. Complete sentence and
two reasons why that food is produced there.
4. Differentiation:

Time: Throughout class

Extensions: Students who are gifted an already understand the concept will be
compacted out of this assignment. They will be asked to answer the following questions:

Please give at least 2 reasons as to why different foodstuffs are grown in different
regions. Explain your thinking using specific examples.
Name a foodstuff and the region that it is produced in (you cant use a foodstuff
commonly produced in the Midwest).

If students touch on the effect that climate, soil, topography, weather, and economics for
the first question and correctly give a foodstuff that is grown in a different region they
can participate in an interactive learning center instead of doing this activity.
The interactive learning center would be to pick one foodstuff (plant or animal) and
identify what they would like to learn more about in regards to that foodstuff. They
would then find an expert who could answer their questions, and then write that expert a
letter. They may want to find a farmer that grows strawberries, in that case they could
write a letter to the farmer asking questions, or maybe they want to learn more about
genetics, or the business aspect, the students might write questions for a seed scientist or
banker.
Adaptations: Students who need adaptations will receive handouts with key
information highlighted. The foodstuff will be chosen for them as well.
5. Grouping:
Nine mixed ability collaborative groups of 2-3 students; this is a group effort but also is
individual in nature as students will be finding their own plants and resources.
TOTAL LESSON TIME: Approximately 30 minutes
6. References consulted:
Maps from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_elevation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_United_States
Ideas about alternatives for gifted students adapted from Dr. Beisser

Pacific Region
1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf
West South Central Region
1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf

Mountain Region
1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf

West North Central Region

1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf

East North Central Region

1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf
East South Central Region
1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf

New England Region

1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf
Mid-Atlantic Region
1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf

South Atlantic Region

1. Each find one food product that is plant based grown in your specific region
a. You can help each other but each person must find at least one.
2. You will draw that food in your specific region on our map.
3. Grab a post it, write your initials on it and give two reasons as to why that food is
grown in that specific region.
a. Your post it must have complete sentences, and two specific, clear reasons.
Resources for information:
http://agclassroom.org/kids/ag_facts.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219
https://www.michfb.com/MI/uploadedFiles/Documents/Ag_Ed_and_Leadership/K_to_3_
Lessons/SocialStudies/NorthSouthEastWest.pdf