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| Geography and Resources Section |
New York State has offered us a new curriculum. If you've had a chance to dabble with it, you may have found that there is some stuff there-- but not too much. There is certainly plenty of room for adding and adjusting!
While I was doing some dabbling myself, I wanted to create a way in which students could learn the content, keep it organized, and still be engaged. So, I developed lapbooks: one for each inquiry.
Each inquiry is broken down and taught in sections using a lapbook. And, each section of the lapbook is arranged using the Compelling and Supporting Questions. I have also included sections for developing vocabulary and additional note-taking. Take a peek!
This peek is geared specifically for the first Inquiry in 4th grade: New York Geography. But do not despair, because I have designed and have lapbooks available for all six of the 4th grade inquiries!
Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth Grade are available as well! (Scroll down to find the links.)
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| NYS Grade 4 SS Inquiry: New York Geography (Lapbook) |
To start, I made this lapbook using two file folders. Then I organized the Compelling Question and the Supporting Questions into sections of the lapbook. I also added in a couple of vocabulary activities and an area to take additional notes.
Each lapbook uses a similar format. Below is an explanation of how I chose to organize the information. You may want to organize differently depending on your classroom needs. Although I give suggested positioning of the pieces, you will have the flexibility to customize these lapbooks in whatever way makes the best sense for your learners.
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| Front Cover |
The cover will help introduce the topic to the students and ask them the Compelling Question. Students will work through the different flip pages to fill in information about "where you live".
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Interior Left and
Vocabulary Flip Book Section |
When you first open the lapbook, the vocabulary flip book will be to the immediate right. Students can use the provided definitions to match up to the vocabulary terms- or you can have students use an alternate means for defining the words; it's up to you!
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| Lapbook Fully Opened |
When you fully open it, the three Supporting Questions are organized into each section of the interior of the lapbook. Headings and interactive notebook pieces: such as foldables, envelopes, puzzle pieces, etc...will guide your students through the different information, texts, and maps that relate to the lapbook activities for the left and middle section. The right side contains a flip book that the students will use to read through text and record the gist, a claim, and evidence to support their claim.
The bottom of the third section has space for an envelope that holds a vocabulary matching game. The bottom right corner is a collapsible shape where students can record "Other Interesting Words" they encounter while working through the material.
The final section (middle back) has an area for students to jot down additional notes during the Inquiry.
Along with all the lapbook pieces and parts, this resource includes PowerPoint slides, a 2-point written response for each Supporting Question, a 4-point written response as a culminating activity, and scoring rubrics.
You can buy this resource at my Teachers Pay Teacher Store here:
Or, you can buy all 6 Inquiries as a BUNDLE for a discounted rate: