Washoe County School District
Social Studies Fourth Grade Units
Scott Foresman
Social Studies
Lesson 10
Nevada’s Physical and Human Features
1 Introduce
• Show students a map of Nevada and ask
them to name what kinds of things are
shown on maps. Have them point out an
example on the map, if they can find it.
• List their ideas on the board. Then point
to each item on the list and have students
tell whether it is a natural feature or one
made by humans.
• Tell students that in this lesson they will
learn about how maps can show both
physical features and human features.
2 Teach
Have students read the lesson. Review
examples of physical and human features;
show pictures if necessary. Then ask:
How are physical features and human
features different? (Physical features show
natural objects such as mountains and rivers.
Human features are things that are built by
humans such as bridges and roads.)
How might someone use a map that just
shows human features? (Possible answer:
A tourist might use a map of state landmarks
or monuments to visit.)
© Pearson Education, Inc.
Explain to students that map keys can be
useful to those who make or read maps.
Symbols in the map key can tell what
pictures or objects stand for on a map.
Map key symbols often look like the things
they represent.
G 1.4.4 Construct a map of Nevada displaying its human
and physical features.
G 2.4.1 List examples of physical and human features from
their community or region.
Have students suggest symbols to use on
the maps they will construct in the lesson.
List each symbol and what it represents on
the board. Have students tell you whether
the symbol represents a physical feature or
a human feature.
3 Assess and Extend
Assess Point students to resources that will
help them gather information about physical
and human features to include on their outline
maps of Nevada. Ask them to make a list of
the physical features and a list of the human
features. Have students compare their maps
and lists with a partner.
Extend Have students make a list of
the human and physical features in their
community and then draw a map to show
where they are located. Suggest that they
take photographs or draw pictures of the
features to include on their maps.
Answer
Key
Lesson 10 Nevada’s Physical and
Human Features
1. Students should name and correctly identify one
physical and one human feature from their community.
2. Students’ maps should include three physical and
three human features of Nevada. They should include a
map key that is accurate and clear.
Name
Date
Grade 4, Lesson 10
G 1.4.4, G 2.4.1
Nevada’s Physical and Human Features
Read the passage. Then follow the directions.
Geography includes physical features as well as human features. Physical
features are natural features, such as landforms, waterways, climate, and plants.
A physical feature could be a mountain, a forest, a lake, or a river.
Human features are part of geography too. These are objects or buildings
that people have made. Human features can include bridges, houses, and dams.
Some features are both human features and physical features. For example, Lake
Mead is human-made, and therefore it is both a physical and a human feature.
1. Name one physical feature and one human feature in your community.
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2. Add three physical features and three human features to the map of Nevada below.
Use information that you already know about Nevada’s geography as well as reference
books or other resources. In the box provided on the map, draw a map key that explains
the symbols you used.
© Pearson Education, Inc.
Nevada: Physical and Human Features
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100 Miles
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100 Kilometers
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