Unit Plan 30 (Grade 4 Science): Mapping Earth Features

Focus: Interpret maps of landforms, faults, volcanoes, and bodies of water to describe patterns of Earth features.

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science • Mapping/Geography)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become “Earth feature detectives” by reading and interpreting maps that show mountains, valleys, volcanoes, earthquake zones, and bodies of water. They learn how map symbols, keys, and labels represent real landforms and hazards. By the end of the week, students describe patterns in where Earth features are located (for example, mountain ranges along plate boundaries or volcano belts) and explain what those patterns can tell us about how Earth changes over time.

Essential Questions

• How do maps help us see where Earth features—like mountains, valleys, volcanoes, and rivers—are located?
• What patterns do we notice when we compare maps of landforms, earthquakes, and volcanoes?
• How can reading and interpreting maps help us understand how Earth’s surface is changing?
• Why is it important for communities and scientists to understand patterns in Earth features?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Use map keys, symbols, and titles to identify landforms and Earth features (mountains, valleys, rivers, volcanoes, faults, coastlines).
2. Analyze and interpret maps showing Earth features to describe patterns (e.g., volcano chains, mountain ranges, earthquake zones).
3. Compare at least two different maps (e.g., landform map and volcano map) to identify overlapping or related patterns.
4. Create a simple Earth Features Map of a region using symbols and labels to represent major landforms and features.
5. Write or present a short explanation describing one or more patterns in Earth features and what they suggest about Earth’s surface.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 4-ESS2-2 — Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth features.
  • Example: Use a world map with plate boundaries, volcanoes, and mountain ranges to identify where many volcanoes and earthquakes occur.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can read a map key and use symbols to find mountains, rivers, valleys, and other land features.
• I can describe patterns in where Earth features (like volcanoes or mountains) are located.
• I can compare two maps and explain how they show related information about Earth’s surface.
• I can make my own Earth Features Map that uses symbols, labels, and a key correctly.
• I can explain, in my own words, what my map shows about how Earth’s surface is arranged or changing.