Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog

Fancy Ideas for the Everyday Classroom

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

California Relief Maps

October 18, 2014 By fancyfreein4th

The past 2 years I have assigned a California Relief Map project as an at home assignment but with any at home assignment, there is a lot of parent involvement and sometimes too much if you know what I mean.  This year I decided to do the project in class with my students thanks to the help and guidance of a few other CA 4th grade blogger buddies who coached me through the process (Thanks Emily from I Love my Classroom).
The process only took 2 days!  We studied the 4 regions of California and made a foldable that summarized our learning.
Then we made a rough draft of what our salt and dough relief map would look like.
First, they drew California and the bordering states (and country).
Then, we made the dough:  1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of water sealed in a freezer gallon size ziploc baggie.  They “massage” the contents of the bag,  mixing it so all the ingredients are doughy.  Then came the messy part: Applying the dough to the outline of California.
The students made sure to build up there maps in the areas where the mountains are.  
We did this on a Friday so that the dough could dry over the weekend.
Day 2- we painted!

After they dried we labeled the map and made a legend for the regions.

I am so glad that we did this in class! It was a great way to way for them to interact with geography and see all that they had learned from our Social Studies CLOSE reads.  I can’t wait to do it again next year!

«
»

Filed Under: Uncategorized 3 Comments

Comments

  1. Ali says

    October 18, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    You are BRAVE for doing salt flour maps in class! The mess gives me anxiety, so I don't do it. But my partner teacher does it though. You're both brave!
    I know what you mean about projects being done at home. Our CA projects were done at home last year, knowing full well that most parents would be doing it for their kids. When they all came in, there were several that were done soley by the child, and it was painfully obvious. Yet, I think I had more respect for those done by the kids.

    Ali
    Teaching Powered by Caffeine

    Reply
  2. Layla Wiedrick Henry says

    October 19, 2014 at 12:24 am

    Ali,
    I was super nervous and asked Emily and her coteacher how they did it… I still felt a little nervous about it so I had my class work in pairs. Next year I feel confident to have them fdo it on their own. They turned out so great!

    Reply
  3. Top Priority Teaching says

    October 25, 2014 at 7:40 am

    Last year I made a class set of maps of Alberta, Canada out of Plaster of Paris. I wasn't brave enough to let the students make them. The kids really liked painting the different regions.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Ali Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Widget

Welcome Widget

Subscribe Via Email

Topics

Latest on Pinterest

  • Organizing state reports in your classroom
  • Growth Mindset and Cactus Activity
  • Flip Your Classroom on a Budget
  • Teaching Point of View Using Picture Books
  • Life Science ideas for 3-6th grade. Photsynthesis craft and Close read, edible ecosystem, class ecosystem, field trip, bird watching and so much more.
  • Growth Mindset and Cactus
  • Kindness Counts, class notes, note to the student, pbis, postitive classroom culture
  • Figurative Language Flowers - a great Spring Bulletin board and review of figurative language. Students create a flower based on one of the figurative language techniques: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification and alliteration.
  • Equivalent Fractions Bulletin Board
Follow Me on Pinterest

Instagram

This isn’t the best picture, but that’s not th This isn’t the best picture, but that’s not the point...

I love being a teacher. I am aways challenged and get to be creative (especially these past 11 months). I feel at home at my school, and I’ve missed it so much since working at home. My district is in a zip code that is highly impacted with COVID-19, and we have felt the effects tremendously. Everyday, I am amazed by how resilient my students have been since their little world’s 🌍 changed on March 13th, 2020. It’s been one, wild ride, reinventing teaching, trying to stay motivated, trying to keep them engaged while feeling supported and seen. Yet,  I’m hopeful this chapter soon will end. Amidst all of the unexpected and difficult things that have happened this last year... there’s still a lot of good out there. Look at this 💛 glimmer of hope and goodness. My uncle and Father in Law just made a class set of desks for my students (plus 30 more for other kids at my school). They used their stimulus money to give back to my school community. This desk will be their own special spot, and memory of the time we learned from home. I’m feeling really grateful and I can’t wait to see past the masks and imagine the smiles that my students will have when they pick these new family heirlooms up on Friday!
Sometimes it is all about the little goals you mak Sometimes it is all about the little goals you make for 2021. Ones like drinking more water and making sure to stand while distance teaching. I miss the days of walking around the classroom, running down the the stairs to grab my class after recess and hopping into a coworkers classroom at lunch.
Cheers to the New Year. I felt like I needed a lon Cheers to the New Year. I felt like I needed a longer winter break but as soon as the school day started, it was game on. I was so excited to see my students online, ready to learn. I am constantly in awe of how resilient they are and how even though we have yet to be together in person, we have created such a supportive and close community. We giggle, we work, we do the best we can and feel good about it together.
Love these perfect stocking stuffers for my Little Love these perfect stocking stuffers for my Littles! Thank you @chattyfeet for helping us deck the halls and keeps our toes cozy and cute!
Shaking things up in our new Point Of View unit an Shaking things up in our new Point Of View unit and using one of my all time favorite prompts where the students pretend they are the turkey and they sere persuading a hungry child to not eat them on Thanksgiving! The students work on time, dialogue and perspective in this. Check it out! Your students will gobble this up!
Since my husband won’t let me put up our 🎄tre Since my husband won’t let me put up our 🎄tree yet (#scrooge) I am stocking up on stocking stuffers instead! Move over slime and hello 👋 squishies and plushies. Grab these and a whole lot more @orientaltrading ❄️ The countdown clock ⏰ to the holidays is officially on! Be sure to order early so that you get all these goodies in time. Oh and FREE shipping on any order Friday-Sunday use code: Favorites20 at check out ✅! #ad #orientaltrading #OTCholiyay #otcchristmas
Working hard on alliteration and using adjective a Working hard on alliteration and using adjective and adverbs this week with this adorable winter ❄️ sticker science. This can be used in so many fun ways, endless possibilities!  #ad * Select holiday products are up to 60% off
 * Order early, shop now, carriers expect shipping delays as we get closer to the holidays
* Offer Details: The offer will be Free shipping on any size order
 * Plus $10 off orders $59+, $15 off orders $79+, or $20 off orders $99+
 * Use Code: CyberYay20.
I remember learning about the election when I was I remember learning about the election when I was in 5th grade. My school made it super exciting and I was totally engaged. Hoping to spark that excitement with my students today. 💙 May your coffee be strong and your phone fully charged! Today is going to be a long day.❤️ #electionday #electionday20206
Now that Halloween is over I’m already planning Now that Halloween is over I’m already planning the holidays. And did you hear the news? @orientaltrading now has kits! Everything from baking (like this cookies for 12 set) to crafts and boredom busters! Check out all their kits to make your holidays at home more holly and use the world PUMPKIN20 at checkout for free shipping!  #OTCChristmas
 #OTCHoliYay
#ad
 @OrientalTrading
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in