Grade 4, Chapter 1 Investigation Organizer:
Up to the Sky!
Summary: California has high mountains and low valleys and canyons. Your class will make a bulletin board that shows some high and low areas in Southern California.
1. Plan It
Pick four places on the map of Southern California on page 43 in your textbook. Make a list of your choices from highest to lowest area.
Be sure to include areas that are
- 1000 feet or lower.
- between 1000 and 9999 feet.
- 9999 feet or higher.
![[Checkbox]](/math/mathcentral/graphics/chkbx.gif)
My planning completed
2. Put It Together
A. Create a number line. Draw a number line on a 30-inch long strip of paper. Write a zero at one end and 15,000 feet at the other end. Make small, equal measuring units by folding the number line. Fold in half, and then in half again. Continue using the same method until you have many sections. Label each section with numbers between 0 and 15,000.
B. Measure your map choices. Use your number line to create four strips of paper. The length of the strips will match the heights of the places you chose in Step 1. Cut each strip to the correct height.
Our measurements completed
3. Wrap It Up
Create your class bulletin board. Show zero feet on the bulletin board. Place your strips on the board and compare the heights.
Bulletin board completed
4. Discuss Your Results
- Is your number line marked correctly?
- Do your strips accurately show the heights of places?
- Does your bulletin board correctly represent the map of Southern California on page 43 in your textbook?
- How well did your group work together?
- What do the different heights of your strips say about the region?
- Would you want to add anything to your bulletin board?
- If you could add pictures or information to the bulletin board, what would you add?
Review completed
Return to Investigation Page.