Storyboard That: Climate and Physical Features Projects

Q: What is a spider map in geography lessons?

A spider map is a graphic organizer that helps students visually organize key facts and features about a topic, such as the climate and physical features of a country, by creating branches from a central idea.

Q: How can I use a spider map to teach about a country's climate and physical features?

You can assign students to research a country and use a spider map to categorize and describe its climate , mountains , deserts , oceans , and other physical features, including brief descriptions and illustrations for each.

Q: What are some examples of physical features to include in a country spider map?

Examples of physical features to include are mountains , rivers , deserts , oceans , lakes , valleys , and plains —any significant landform or water body found in the country.

Q: What is the best way to scaffold a spider map geography activity for different grade levels?

To scaffold the activity, adjust the number of required cells (3–10), provide country choices, offer templates, or assign partners to support varying skill levels and ensure all students can succeed.

Q: Why is it important for students to research both climate and physical features of a country?

Researching both climate and physical features helps students understand how geography influences culture, settlement, and daily life in different countries, fostering deeper global awareness.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

Geography is key to understanding the development of culture and civilization in any country. Students can create a spider map to demonstrate their knowledge about the geographic features of a particular country. They can use a spider map graphic organizer to keep track of information as they complete their research. Students should focus on climate and physical features such as mountains, deserts, oceans, etc.

To scaffold or differentiate, teachers can ask students to create anywhere from 3-10 cells, though students may need to adjust based on the country they research. Teachers can assign students to a specific country or they can have students choose their own as it can allow students to feel more invested in the project.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a spider map focusing on the different characteristics of the geography of a country.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment"
Research the country you have been assigned using a graphic organizer to write important information.
Using the template write a title for each geographic feature
Write 1-3 sentences of a detailed description of each geographic feature.
Design an illustration of each geographic feature using appropriate scenes, animals, and characters or items if you wish.
Save and exit when you're finished.

Requirements: Minimum of 3-10 cells showcasing different characteristics of the geography of your country. Appropriate scenes to illustrate each cell. 1-3 sentence description for each cell demonstrating your understanding of the geographic features.

Spider Diagram Template with 3 Empty Boxes

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level --- N/A ---

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Spider Maps

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Facts Spider Map

Create a spider map highlighting important facts about a topic that includes a title, illustration and description for each cell.

	Proficient 5 Points	Emerging 3 Points	Beginning 1 Points
Facts	Title, description and images provide a clear explanation of the facts about this topic. The facts listed are accurate and answer each of the question prompts.	Title, description and images explain some of the facts about this topic. The facts listed are mostly accurate and answer most of the question prompts.	Title, description and images do not provide a clear explanation of the facts about this topic. The facts listed are mostly inaccurate and do not answer each of the question prompts.
Storyboard Images and Effort	Student clearly shows effort to convey the facts about the topic through appropriate scenes, characters, items, symbols or infographics. Illustrations clearly show that time, care and effort have been put in.	Student attempts to convey facts about the topic through use of illustrations, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail.	Student does not clearly convey facts about the topic and the depictions are inaccurate or off topic.
Spelling and Grammar	Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors.	Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar.	Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a spider map focusing on the different characteristics of the geography of a country.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment"
Research the country you have been assigned using a graphic organizer to write important information.
Using the template write a title for each geographic feature
Write 1-3 sentences of a detailed description of each geographic feature.
Design an illustration of each geographic feature using appropriate scenes, animals, and characters or items if you wish.
Save and exit when you're finished.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level --- N/A ---

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Spider Maps

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Facts Spider Map

Create a spider map highlighting important facts about a topic that includes a title, illustration and description for each cell.

	Proficient 5 Points	Emerging 3 Points	Beginning 1 Points
Facts	Title, description and images provide a clear explanation of the facts about this topic. The facts listed are accurate and answer each of the question prompts.	Title, description and images explain some of the facts about this topic. The facts listed are mostly accurate and answer most of the question prompts.	Title, description and images do not provide a clear explanation of the facts about this topic. The facts listed are mostly inaccurate and do not answer each of the question prompts.
Storyboard Images and Effort	Student clearly shows effort to convey the facts about the topic through appropriate scenes, characters, items, symbols or infographics. Illustrations clearly show that time, care and effort have been put in.	Student attempts to convey facts about the topic through use of illustrations, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail.	Student does not clearly convey facts about the topic and the depictions are inaccurate or off topic.
Spelling and Grammar	Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors.	Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar.	Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar.

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How Tos about Climate and Physical Features of a Country

Integrate Climate Data into Student Spider Maps

Collect and provide climate charts for the countries your students are researching. Visual data like temperature and precipitation graphs help students gain a deeper understanding of how geography impacts daily life.

Guide Students to Compare Physical Features Across Countries

Prompt students to identify similarities and differences between the physical features of their chosen country and another familiar location. This comparison builds global awareness and helps students connect new information to prior knowledge.

Model Research Strategies Using Reliable Geography Sources

Demonstrate how to find accurate information using atlases, trusted websites, and library books. Modeling this process helps students become independent and responsible researchers.

Encourage Creative Illustrations with Real-World Examples

Show students sample images of actual landforms, climates, and wildlife from their countries of focus. This supports students in crafting more accurate and imaginative spider map illustrations.

Facilitate Peer Sharing to Deepen Understanding

Arrange short presentations or gallery walks where students share their spider maps with classmates. Peer feedback and exposure to diverse countries broaden everyone’s geographic perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions about Climate and Physical Features of a Country

What is a spider map in geography lessons?

A spider map is a graphic organizer that helps students visually organize key facts and features about a topic, such as the climate and physical features of a country, by creating branches from a central idea.

How can I use a spider map to teach about a country's climate and physical features?

You can assign students to research a country and use a spider map to categorize and describe its climate, mountains, deserts, oceans, and other physical features, including brief descriptions and illustrations for each.

What are some examples of physical features to include in a country spider map?

Examples of physical features to include are mountains, rivers, deserts, oceans, lakes, valleys, and plains—any significant landform or water body found in the country.

What is the best way to scaffold a spider map geography activity for different grade levels?

To scaffold the activity, adjust the number of required cells (3–10), provide country choices, offer templates, or assign partners to support varying skill levels and ensure all students can succeed.

Why is it important for students to research both climate and physical features of a country?

Researching both climate and physical features helps students understand how geography influences culture, settlement, and daily life in different countries, fostering deeper global awareness.