Exploros | Regions of Texas: Coastal Plains

Regions of Texas: Coastal Plains

Students brainstorm names of cities in the Coastal Plains region. Then they describe the physical characteristics of the region. Next they interpret a political map and infer why the Coastal Plains is the most populous region in Texas. Finally they write a diary entry as an eyewitness account of a hurricane.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm names of cities in the Coastal Plains region. Then they describe the physical characteristics of the region. Next they interpret a political map and infer why the Coastal Plains is the most populous region in Texas. Finally they write a diary entry as an eyewitness account of a hurricane.

Note that geographers divide the United States into ten natural regions, and four of them are found in Texas: the Mountains and Basins, the Great Plains, the North Central Plains, and Coastal Plains. The Teacher Pack contains a link to educational resources on the different regions.

Estimated duration: 45-55 minutes. In scene 4, students write a diary entry about experiencing a hurricane. If your students have lived through a hurricane, they can write based on their own personal experience. Otherwise, allow time for them to read eyewitness accounts or conduct personal interviews, if they have access to someone who did live through a hurricane. You may choose to turn the scene 4 activity into an ELAR lesson on writing personal narrative.

Vocabulary words:

county
administrative
rural
populous
eyewitness

Objectives

Identify physical characteristics of the Coastal Plains and its subregions.
Interpret a political map.

Engage

Map of the Four Regions of Texas

Texas is divided into four regions—the Mountains and Basins, the Great Plains, the North Central Plains, and Coastal Plains. The regions are determined by the physical geography, such as landforms, climate and vegetation, or the plants that grow in the area. In this experience, you will learn about the Coastal Plains.

Objectives

Identify physical characteristics of the Coastal Plains and its subregions.
Interpret a political map.

Based on the map of the four regions shown above, name a city that you think is in the Coastal Plains region.

Post your answer

Sample answers: Houston, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Galveston

If any of your students are unfamiliar with the location of some of the major cities in Texas or of cities along the coast, give them some hints by asking questions such as: What is the largest city in Texas? What city might you travel to for a vacation on a Texas beach?

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.