Water Features of Virginia
| Water Features Important Facts sheets |
Materials:
Objective: The student will be able to identify the water features that were important to the early development of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp).
Key Questions:
- Water Features of Virginia Important Facts review sheet
- Map of Virginia and bordering states (teacher copy)
- Regions of Virginia labeled (teacher copy)
- Example of a pre-made Important Water Features of Virginia tab foldable
- Overhead document camera
Objective: The student will be able to identify the water features that were important to the early development of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp).
- Put up the map of Virginia and its bordering states on the overhead document camera. Ask questions that review what the students have already learned about the geography of Virginia, including the bordering states and the five regions of Virginia.
- Switch maps to a Virginia only map that is labeled with the water features of Virginia. Point out where each feature on the map is (four rivers, Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp). Explain that water features were important to the early history of Virginia because many early Virginia cities developed along the Fall Line, the natural border between the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) and the Piedmont regions, where the land rises sharply and waterfalls prevent further travel on the river.
- Explain how there are four major rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay, which are separated by peninsulas. Explain what a “peninsula” is. Point out that the Chesapeake Bay separates the Eastern Shore from the mainland of Virginia. Point to the Eastern Shore. Name and point out the major cities located on each of the rivers.
- Hand out the “Water Features of Virginia Important Facts” review sheet for students to glue in their social studies workbook and use as a reference.
- Have the students create the “Important Rivers in Virginia” Foldable (one piece of 8 ½” paper folded hamburger style), labeling the map of Virginia with the four major rivers (Potomac River, Rappahannock River, York River, James River). Students will glue the map to the outside of the foldable. Then, have students fill out the chart with the cities located near those rivers and the Eastern Shore facts. Have them glue this chart to the inside of the foldable.
Key Questions:
- Which water features were important to the early history of Virginia?
- What four rivers flow into the Chesapeake Bay?
- What is a peninsula?
