Locating the Valley of Virginia (Shenandoah Valley) Lesson Plan

Objective:

Students will be able to locate the state of Virginia as well as the region of the Shenandoah Valley.

Activity: In this lesson, students will be locating Virginia on a map and focusing closer to the region of the Shenandoah Valley. Students will then label different features and regions within the Valley.

VOCAB VOCUS: Region

Materials:

• United States Map
• Commonwealth of Virginia Map
• Shenandoah Valley Outline Map

Procedure:

Ask the students to locate Virginia on the US map. Next ask the students to locate the Shenandoah Valley.

• Once the students are familiar with these locations, have them work in pairs to create a list of states that border Virginia.
• Next have the students make a list of rivers, streams and mountains that are located in the Valley.
• Discuss with the class their lists and make sure each student has the same list.

Hand out the blank map of Virginia and have the students label the Shenandoah Valley.

Next have them label the rivers, streams and mountains using the list they created in class.

Project the blank map up on the screen (smart board) and have students come and label the rivers ... making sure each student has the correct information.

When the students have finished labeling the rivers, streams and mountains, have them make a list of Cities, Towns, and Counties that are located in the Valley.

Next have them label the same map with these new localities. Have the students hypothesize reasons for building cities and towns where they are located. What resources are near?

When finished, project the same map and have the students locate the localities, making sure every student has the same map.

Assessment: Map Quiz provided.

Virginia Standards of Learning
VS.2		The student will demonstrate knowledge of the geography and early inhabitants of Virginia by a) locating Virginia and its bordering states on maps of the United States; b) locating and describing Virginia's Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau; c) locating and identifying water features important to the early history of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac River, and Rappahannock River);