Unit 2 Physical and Human Geography Reading and Writing Workshop
Middle School Reading & Writing Workshop: Physical Geography
Unit Title: Exploring Physical GeographyFocus Areas:
Week 1: Introduction to LandformsReading: Excerpts from "The Face of the Earth" by Eduard Suess (public domain)
Writing Task: Compare and contrast two different landforms and explain their formation using textual evidence.
Activity: Map labeling and description exercise—students label a map with key landforms and write a short paragraph describing one in detail.
Week 2: Understanding Bodies of WaterReading: Excerpts from "The Ocean World" by Louis Figuier (public domain)
Writing Task: Write an explanatory paragraph on how rivers shape the land over time, using examples from the reading.
Activity: Group discussion on how bodies of water influence human settlements and economies.
Week 3: Climate and Weather PatternsReading: Excerpts from "The Elements of Meteorology" by John Brocklesby (public domain)
Writing Task: Create a short research report on a specific climate zone, including its characteristics, typical weather patterns, and impact on life.
Activity: Weather log—students track daily weather conditions for a week and analyze patterns.
Week 4: Natural Disasters and Their ImpactReading: Excerpts from "The San Francisco Earthquake and Fire" by Charles Morris (public domain)
Writing Task: Write a narrative from the perspective of someone experiencing a natural disaster, incorporating factual information.
Activity: Emergency preparedness plan—students design a plan for their community in case of a natural disaster.
Final Project: Physical Geography MagazineStudents will create a class magazine compiling their best writing pieces from each week. They will revise and edit their work, add illustrations or maps, and present their findings to the class.
This workshop integrates reading comprehension, research skills, and explanatory writing while fostering engagement with physical geography concepts.
Middle School Reading & Writing Workshop: Physical Geography
Unit Title: Exploring Physical GeographyFocus Areas:
- Landforms (mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus)
- Bodies of water (oceans, rivers, lakes, seas)
- Climate and weather patterns
- Natural disasters and their impact (earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism.
Week 1: Introduction to LandformsReading: Excerpts from "The Face of the Earth" by Eduard Suess (public domain)
Writing Task: Compare and contrast two different landforms and explain their formation using textual evidence.
Activity: Map labeling and description exercise—students label a map with key landforms and write a short paragraph describing one in detail.
Week 2: Understanding Bodies of WaterReading: Excerpts from "The Ocean World" by Louis Figuier (public domain)
Writing Task: Write an explanatory paragraph on how rivers shape the land over time, using examples from the reading.
Activity: Group discussion on how bodies of water influence human settlements and economies.
Week 3: Climate and Weather PatternsReading: Excerpts from "The Elements of Meteorology" by John Brocklesby (public domain)
Writing Task: Create a short research report on a specific climate zone, including its characteristics, typical weather patterns, and impact on life.
Activity: Weather log—students track daily weather conditions for a week and analyze patterns.
Week 4: Natural Disasters and Their ImpactReading: Excerpts from "The San Francisco Earthquake and Fire" by Charles Morris (public domain)
Writing Task: Write a narrative from the perspective of someone experiencing a natural disaster, incorporating factual information.
Activity: Emergency preparedness plan—students design a plan for their community in case of a natural disaster.
Final Project: Physical Geography MagazineStudents will create a class magazine compiling their best writing pieces from each week. They will revise and edit their work, add illustrations or maps, and present their findings to the class.
This workshop integrates reading comprehension, research skills, and explanatory writing while fostering engagement with physical geography concepts.