Margaret
Simpson
Red Bud Elementary
200 Field Dr
Red Bud IL 62278
Promoting
Geographic Knowledge Through Literature
Summer
2002
Overview - There are as many different types of shelter as there are regions, cultures, and natural resources.
Grade Level - K-5
Geographic Theme- Human-Environment Interaction, Place, and Region
National Geography Standards -
Environment and Society #14 How human actions modify the physical environment.
Places and Regions #4 The physical and human characteristics of places
Connection to Curriculum - Social Studies/Geography, Language Arts
The student will:
1. Recognize that there are many different forms of shelter.
2. Understand that in early times, shelter often was determined by the natural resources of the area.
3. Understand that in modern times, shelter is determined by available building materials.
4. See similarities and differences in shelter from one culture or region to another.
5. Give examples of changes in shelter over the years.
6. Give reasons why shelter changes in an area.
1. Students will brainstorm the term “shelter” and list examples of shelter.
2. On a world map they will locate South America-Panama- the approximate location of Sabana Grande.
3. In writing journal, they will predict what the shelter of the people of this village would look like.
4. Read The Little Painter of Sabana Grande by Patricia Maloney Markun.
5. In writing journal, compare prediction to the actual house of the village. Draw and color one of the village houses.
6. On the world map, find Sweden.
7. Discuss the locations of the two places (Sweden and Sabana Grande) and how the climate would differ.
8. Read A Very Cool Place to Visit from "Time Magazine for Kids". (attached)
10. In journal, draw a scene showing the shelter referred to in the article about the hotel in Sweden.
11. Read to the class This is My House by Arthur Dorros, discuss the variety of shelters described.
12. Independently or in groups of 2-3, use magazine pictures or draw pictures showing one form of shelter from long ago, 3 forms of shelter used today but from three different cultures, and one form of shelter we might have in the future.
13. Do a venn diagram comparing your family’s shelter to a type of shelter that is very different, give at least three similarities and three differences.
The Little Painter of Sabana Grande story by Patricia Maloney Markun, “Time for Kids” article A Very Cool Place to Visit, (attached) world map, magazines, art supplies, venn diagram, writing journal, This is My House by Arthur Dorros
3-4 45 min. periods
Assessment
Venn Diagram
Teacher evaluation of shelter picture project
Teacher observation of class discussion
In drawing or a written summary give a report on one of the extension books available
Read Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson and give examples of animal shelters
Make a list of materials that could be used for shelter
Construct a shelter using the materials around you (do not forget recyclable materials)
Do a creative writing telling how your life would change if you lived in a very basic shelter like a cave, hut, tent, car.
Draw a shelter that you would like to live in and explain in writing why.
References:
Markun, Patricia Maloney The Little Painter of Sabana Grande 1993 Simon &Schuster
Dorros, Arthur This is My House 1992 Scholastic
