PAGE FOR TEACHERS

Virginia Geography
Grade Level: 4
Subject Area(s): Virginia Studies

Assessment Overview: A brief explanation of what the assessment requires students to do.
Students will design and build a topographic map of Virginia. The maps must include each region of Virginia
and demonstrate the appropriate name, location, size, and geographic features of the region. Maps must also
include each major river in Virginia and demonstrate the appropriate name, location, and size of the water
feature. In addition, students will write a paragraph focusing on one region and explain the how the
geography of the region affects the lives of the people that live there. Finally, students will complete a
student response packet that asks them to label a map of Virginia and its border states and describe the
relative location of each.

This assessment requires prior instruction of the content. This is used to evaluate the students understanding
of concepts taught in VS 4.2 a-c. The project will take 3 class periods (45 minutes) to complete.

Targeted SOLs: What specific SOL(s) does your assessment address? Be sure to include the numbered and
lettered SOL(s), as well as the language of those specific standards.

Virginia Studies English

VS.2 The student will demonstrate
knowledge of the physical geography and
native peoples, past and present, of
Virginia by
English 4.7 The student will write cohesively for a variety of
purposes
b) Focus on one aspect of a topic
d) Organize writing to convey a central idea.

a) locating Virginia and its bordering states f) Write a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
on maps of the United States
g) Write two or more related paragraphs on the same topic.
b) locating and describing Virginias Coastal
k) Include supporting details that elaborate the main idea.
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,
Rappahannock River, and Lake Drummond
and the Dismal Swamp)
VS.1 The student will demonstrate skills for
historical and geographical analysis and
responsible citizenship, including the ability
to

b) determine cause-and-effect
relationships;

d) draw conclusions and make

generalizations;

h) evaluate and discuss issues orally and in

writing;

i) analyze and interpret maps to explain

relationships among landforms, water
features, climatic characteristics, and
historical events.

Unpacked Standards: Identify the Know (the factual content knowledge addressed by your assessment), the
Understand (the essential understanding(s) related to that content knowledge - the big idea), and the
Do (the skills that your assessment compels students to demonstrate).

KNOW UNDERSTAND
Regions of Virginia Distinguish between the
Rivers of Virginia geographic features of each
Relative Location region
Virginias Border States Identify the location of the
regions and major rivers of
virginia
Understand the role of
geography in human activity
DO
Create a topographic map of
Virginia that demonstrates
the appropriate name,
location, size and geographic
feature of each region and
the appropriate name,
location and size of each
major river in Virginia.
Explain how the geography
affects the lives of people in a
region of their choice by
writing 1 paragraph
Identify the border states of
Virginia by completing the
student response packet
Explain the relative location
of Virginia in the world by
completing the student
response packet
 PAGE FOR STUDENTS

Virginia Geography
Scenario:
You are a topographer that works for the Virginia State Parks, and you need to create an exhibit that
explains Virginias geography to the park visitors. Your exhibit will be on display at the Welcome Center for
your state park. You will need to create a topographic map of Virginia that shows the geographic features
of each region, and the important water features in our state. In addition, you must write a short
paragraph explaining the geography of the region where your state park is located.

Directions: Provide detailed directions and a list of requirements for students to follow.

Task One: Topographic Maps

- Create a topographic map of Virginia. Include all 5 regions and their geographic features, as well as the
important water features of Virginia. Label each region and water feature. Sketch your ideas below.
Plan Your Map
Task Two: Virginias Relative Location
- Write 1 paragraph describing the location of Virginia in the world.

Virginias Relative Location

Task Three:VIrginias Border States

- Label the border states of Virginia. Include the Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay, and Atlantic Ocean. Draw and
label a compass rose in the top left corner. Include the Cardinal and Intermediate Directions.

Virginias Border States

Task Four:
- Write your entry for the museum exhibit. Describe the location and geographic feature of your state parks
region. Explain how the geography of the region affects the lives of the people that live there. Complete each
step of the writing process and publish your work here.

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 RUBRIC
(2) Demonstrates
(3) Exceptional (1) Needs Improvement (0) Not Evident
Understanding

Student does not

Includes all 5 Virginia Includes 3 or fewer
Includes 4 Virginia Regions include any VIrginia
Regions with correct Virginia Regions with
VIrginia Regions with correct labels, location, Regions with correct
labels, location, and correct labels, location,
and geographic features. labels, location, and
geographic features and geographic features.
geographic features.

Student does not

Includes all 5 of Includes 3 or fewer of
Includes 4 of Virginias include any of Virginias
Virginias important Virginias important rivers
Virginia Rivers important rivers with important rivers with
rivers with correct labels with correct labels and
correct labels and location correct labels and
and location location
location.

Student includes an in
Student includes description Student includes limited Student does not
Virginias Relative depth description of
supported by accurate description with few include description or
Location Virginias relative
details details detail
location in the world

Student accurately
labels all 5 border states, Student accurately
Virginias Border Student accurately labels Student accurately labels
Eastern Shore, labels less than 70% of
States 90% of the map. 80% of the map
Chesapeake Bay, and the map
Atlantic Ocean.

The central idea is The central idea is conveyed The central idea is The central idea is not
Writing
conveyed with specific with some supporting conveyed with few conveyed and/or no
format supporting details. details. supporting details. supporting details.

Points

Total Points
TOTAL STUDENT SCORE________ /15 TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE
Score Pass Advanced Pass Proficient Did Not Meet Not Evident
(range: 14 to 15 ) (range: 13 to 11 ) (range: 10 to 5) (range: 0 to 4)

Considerations for Differentiation of PBA:

Task 2:
- Describe Relative Location of Virginia in 1 sentence
- Allow students to dictate if needed
Task 4:
- Provide students with a graphic organizer to help assist in organizing their thoughts.
- Reduce writing process to graphic organizer, revising/editing, and publishing
- Allow students to dictate if needed.