Too Close for Comfort Overview South Carolina consists of urban, suburban, and rural communities. Students will utilize maps to label and describe the different land use classifications. Connection to the Curriculum Geography and South Carolina History. South Carolina Social Studies Standards 8-7.5 Explain the economic impact of twentieth century events on South Carolina, including the opening and closing of military bases, the development of industries, the influx of new citizens, and the expansion of port facilities. Social Studies Literacy Elements F. Ask geographic questions: Where is it located? Why is it there? What is significant about its location? How is its location related to that of other people, places, and environments? I. Use maps to observe and interpret geographic information and relationships Q. Interpret information obtained from maps, aerial photographs, satellite-produced images, and geographic information systems S. Interpret and synthesize information obtained from a variety of sources graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, texts, photographs, documents, and interviews Time One fifty minute class period Materials South Carolina: An Atlas South Carolina Highway Map South Carolina Interactive Geography (SCIG) CD-ROM Computer Student Handout Objectives 1. Demonstrate the ability to interpret map legends. 2. Differentiate between urban, suburban, and rural communities. 3. Predict what will happen in the future to different land classifications found in South Carolina. Procedures 1. Use the SCIG CD-ROM for this first activity. Click on 'Spatial Organization' - 'Connections' - go to 'Land Use Classifications'. Each student will create a comparison chart with the headings of urban, suburban, and rural. The students should include at least five facts for each separate heading.
2. Students will use the state highway map and SC: An Atlas page 30 to name the cities that are classified as metropolitan areas. They will use the legend in order to distinguish which cities should be named. 3. Students will name features that the metropolitan areas seem to have in common. Examples interstates (p. 31), rivers (p. 4), smaller cities nearby, etc. 4. Name at least one city that could be classified as a suburb of each of the metropolitan areas that were named in procedure # 2. 5. Have students predict what will happen to the number of metropolitan/urban areas and the size of these sites in years to come. 6. Students will name ways that they can distinguish more rural areas on the state map. Examples - use legend, more space between towns, decrease in road systems throughout area, etc. 7. Students will predict what will happen to the rural communities in the upcoming years and why. 8. Students will write at least a paragraph comparing a metropolitan area like Columbia to a rural area like Trio. The teacher may substitute other cities if desired. 9. Using SC: An Atlas pages 23, 24 and 28, lead a class discussion on how population has changed in South Carolina. Suggested Evaluation 1. Completion of all activities. Extensions 1. Write a report explaining how land use in South Carolina has changed since the 1600s. 2. Research and find out what percent of South Carolina is classified as farm use. Resources South Carolina Highway Map, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism 1205 Pendleton Street Columbia, SC 29201 Telephone - (803) 734-0129 http://www.prt.state.sc.us South Carolina: An Atlas and South Carolina Interactive Geography CD-ROM Produced and Distributed by the South Carolina Geographic Alliance 1-888-895-2023 www.cas.sc.edu/cege
Too Close For Comfort Student Handout Name 1. Create a comparison chart with the headings of urban, suburban, and rural. Include at least five facts under each heading. You will need to use the SCIG CD-ROM for this activity. Click on "Spatial Organization' - 'Connections' - go to 'Land Use Classifications'. You need to complete this on the back of this page or on another piece of paper. 2. Look at the legend on the state highway map. Find out what symbolizes cities that are classified as metropolitan areas. Name all the cities in South Carolina that are classified as metropolitan areas.. 3. Name any features that the metropolitan areas seem to have in common.. 4. Name one city that could be classified as a suburb of each of the metropolitan areas that were named in activity # 2.. 5. Predict what will happen to the number of metropolitan/urban areas and the size of those sites in the years to come.. 6. How could you use the map to distinguish more rural areas? In other words, what clues on the map would let you know certain areas were more rural?. 7. What will happen to the rural communities in the upcoming years and why?. 8. Write at least a paragraph comparing a metropolitan area like Columbia to a rural area like Trio. You may complete this on the back of this page or on another piece of paper.
Background Information The New World was discovered over 500 years ago. Agriculture and rural life dominated the first four centuries. Rural describes an area used mainly for agriculture. The main pattern of migration within countries has been from rural to urban. The two leading reasons for this movement is improved technology, which has lowered the need for agricultural workers and greater economic opportunities in the cities. Though the number of farms in South Carolina has dropped, the state still has a greater percentage of its population living in rural areas than the rest of the United States. Urban means having the characteristics of a city. It is an area where most of the residents have nonagricultural jobs. Cities are densely populated and their inhabitants possess a wide variety of skills. In recent years, the wealthy and middle-class families have tended to live in the suburbs or outskirts of the city. The suburban areas of South Carolina are less dependent on the central city. They have developed their own industries, parks, and shopping malls. Characteristics of Land Use Classifications Information from SCIG CD-ROM Rural - Located at edge of suburb. - Low population density. - 4.4 million acres of farmland in South Carolina. - Landscape dominated by farms, forests, and undeveloped land. - Small towns. - Located along state highways. Suburban - Located near interstates. - Dependence on cars. - Land less expensive than urban. - Large stores, shopping malls, and housing developments. - Chain restaurants. Urban - Financial districts. - Retail areas. - Service industries that provide for inhabitants. - Apartment buildings.