Tar Heel Horizons Slides 4th Grade Social Studies North Carolina Unit
North Carolina:
Regions, Resources & History
Explore our state from high mountain peaks in the west to sunny Atlantic beaches in the east!
Mountain Region
Highest land in the west
Piedmont Region
Rolling hills & big cities
Coastal Plain
Flat land & Atlantic beaches
Geography Overview
3 Distinct Geographic Regions
West to East Journey
1. WEST
Mountains
High rocky elevations, cool mountain air, and dense green forests.
Key Feature: Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft)
2. MIDDLE
Piedmont
Rolling hills, red clay soil, and the largest population in NC.
Key Feature: Raleigh (Capital) & Charlotte
3. EAST
Coastal Plain
Flat, sandy land stretching to the Atlantic Ocean and barrier islands.
Key Feature: Outer Banks & rich farmland
Memory Trick: Slide from the high Mountains , across the Piedmont , down to the Coast !
Eastern North Carolina
The Coastal Plain Region
Atlantic Coast
Land & Climate
The largest region in size! Flat, low land with mild winters and warm summers.
Farming & Soil
Rich dark soil supports sweet potatoes, peanuts, cotton, and soybeans.
Outer Banks
Barrier islands protecting the coast, famous for lighthouses and seafood.
Key Natural Resources
🍠
Sweet Potatoes
#1 US Producer
🥜
Peanuts
Sandy soil crops
🦐
Seafood
Crab, shrimp, fish
⛵
Seaports
Wilmington Port
The Atlantic Ocean borders North Carolina's coast!
NC 4th Grade Social Studies • Tar Heel Horizons
Central North Carolina
The Piedmont Region
Industry & Cities
Rolling Hills & Red Clay
"Piedmont" means foot of the mountain. Famous for its thick red clay soil.
Most Populated Region
Most North Carolinians live here! Home to big universities and tech centers.
Capital & Big Cities
Raleigh: State Capital.Charlotte: Nation's second largest banking city!
Key Industries & Resources
🏦
Banking
National finance
🔬
Technology
Research Triangle
🧱
Clay & Granite
Building materials
🛋️
Furniture
High Point market
The Fall Line marks the boundary to the Coastal Plain!
NC 4th Grade Social Studies • Tar Heel Horizons
Western North Carolina
The Mountain Region
Blue Ridge & Smokies
Highest Land in Eastern US
Part of the Appalachian Mountains. Includes the Blue Ridge and Great Smokies.
Cool Mountain Climate
Cooler temperatures year-round, snowy winters, and fresh cold mountain streams.
Tourism & Heritage
Historic home of the Cherokee Nation and scenic Blue Ridge Parkway travelers.
Key Natural Resources
🌲
Timber & Trees
Forests & Fraser firs
🍎
Apples
Mountain orchards
💎
Minerals
Gemstones & quartz
🥾
Tourism
Hiking & state parks
Mount Mitchell is the highest peak at 6,684 feet!
NC 4th Grade Social Studies • Tar Heel Horizons
History Spotlight
Foundations of North Carolina
4th Grade Essentials
Indigenous Heritage
First Peoples
Native nations lived across NC for thousands of years:
• Cherokee: Mountains
• Catawba: Piedmont
• Tuscarora: Coast
Respected nature, rivers, and wildlife.
Early English Arrival
Roanoke Island
In 1587, English settlers landed on the coast at Roanoke Island.
When ships returned, the settlers were gone! Carved word: "CROATOAN" .
Known as the "Lost Colony."
State Identity
Tar Heels & Flight
"Tar Heel State": Colonial pine tar from NC coastal pine forests.
"First in Flight": Wright Brothers' 1903 historic flight at Kitty Hawk.
Seen on our state license plates!
NC 4th Grade Social Studies • Tar Heel Horizons
Class Check-In
Can You Name the Region?
Practice Time!
Clue 1
"I have rolling hills, red clay soil, and the capital city of Raleigh."
👉 Piedmont!
Clue 2
"I have Mount Mitchell, dense timber forests, and cool mountain air."
👉 Mountain Region!
Clue 3
"I have sandy beaches, the Outer Banks, and sweet potato farms."
👉 Coastal Plain!
Ready for our hands-on guided activity and modified check-up!
Great Job, Explorers!
Tar Heel Regions Activity 4th Grade Social Studies Guided Map Activity
North Carolina: Three Great Regions
Name:
Date:
Mission: North Carolina travels from high mountain peaks in the west to Atlantic beaches in the east. Use the word bank and clues below to label our state's 3 natural regions!
Word Bank (Use Each Once)
⛰️ Mountain Region 🏛️ Piedmont Region 🌊 Coastal Plain
North Carolina Physical Map Diagram (West to East)
1. Western Region
⛰️
Highest land elevation
Blue Ridge & Mount Mitchell
Write Region Name:
2. Middle Region
🏛️
Rolling hills & red clay
Raleigh & Charlotte
Write Region Name:
3. Eastern Region
🌊
Flat land & barrier islands
Outer Banks & Atlantic Ocean
Write Region Name:
Part 1: Quick Region Clues
1. Which region has the most people and the state capital city of Raleigh?
2. Which region is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and has the Outer Banks?
3. Which region is home to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in eastern USA?
North Carolina Social Studies • Page 1 of 2 Turn over for Resources & History →
Part 2 • Investigation
Resources & Tar Heel History
Student Worksheet
Regions • Economy • Heritage
Section A: Match Resources to the Correct Region
Write Mountains , Piedmont , or Coastal Plain next to each natural resource or industry:
# Resource / Industry Primary Region 1 🍠 Sweet Potatoes & Peanuts (Sandy, rich flat farmland) 2 🌲 Timber & Apple Orchards (Forests and cool mountain slopes)
|
| 3 | 🏦 Banking & Technology (Big urban hubs like Charlotte & Raleigh) |
|
| 4 | 🦐 Blue Crabs, Shrimp & Seafood (Atlantic ocean waters & sounds) |
|
| 5 | 🧱 Red Clay for Bricks & Pottery (Rich clay soil found in rolling hills) |
|
Section B: North Carolina History Spotlight
1. Mystery of the Lost Colony:
In 1587, English settlers landed on Roanoke Island on the coast. When ships returned, the settlers were gone, leaving behind one carved word on a post. What was that mystery word?
Tar Heel Modified Quiz 4th Grade Social Studies • Assessment Total Points: / 10
North Carolina Geography & History Quiz
Name:
Date:
⛰️
Mountains
West • Highest Land
🏛️
Piedmont
Middle • Big Cities
🌊
Coastal Plain
East • Flat & Ocean
Part 1: Match the Region
Directions: Write Mountains, Piedmont, or Coastal Plain on each blank line.
1
Which region is in the West with high mountain peaks?
Clue: Home to Mount Mitchell
2
Which region is in the Middle with red clay and large cities?
Clue: Home to Raleigh and Charlotte
3
Which region is in the East next to the Atlantic Ocean?
Clue: Home to the Outer Banks & beaches
Part 2: Multiple Choice (Circle One Letter)
Directions: Read each question carefully and circle A, B, or C.
4
Which natural resource is widely grown in the flat, sandy soil of the Coastal Plain?
A 🍠 Sweet potatoes
B 🍎 Mountain apples
C 💎 Gemstones
5
What is the capital city of North Carolina, located in the Piedmont region?
A Raleigh
B Wilmington
C Asheville
North Carolina Social Studies • Page 1 of 2 Turn page for Questions 6 to 10 →
Part 3 • History & Geography
North Carolina Heritage
Questions 6 - 10
Keep up the great work!
6
What mystery word was carved on a post when the Roanoke Island colonists vanished?
A CAROLINA
B CROATOAN
C ATLANTIC
7
Why does North Carolina say "First in Flight" on its license plates?
A The Wright Brothers flew the first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk.
B North Carolina has the most airports in the world.
C The first astronauts were born in the mountains.
Part 4: True or False (Circle One)
Directions: Circle TRUE if the statement is correct, or FALSE if it is wrong.
8
Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain peak in eastern North America.
TRUE FALSE
9
The Coastal Plain has steep rocky cliffs and no beaches.
TRUE FALSE
Question 10: Show What You Know!
Choice: Draw OR Write
Tar Heel Quiz Answer Key Teacher Reference • Master Keys 4th Grade Social Studies
Tar Heel Horizons: Comprehensive Answer Key
Modified Quiz Answer Key (10 Total Points) 1 Point Per Question
Q1. West / High Peaks:
Mountains
Q2. Middle / Red Clay:
Piedmont
Q3. East / Ocean Coast:
Coastal Plain
Q4. Coastal Resource: [ A ] Sweet potatoes
NC produces over 50% of US sweet potatoes.
Q5. Capital City in Piedmont: [ A ] Raleigh
Charlotte is the banking hub; Asheville is western.
Q6. Roanoke Island Carving: [ B ] CROATOAN
Only clue left behind in 1590 by the Lost Colony.
Q7. "First in Flight" Slogan: [ A ] Wright Brothers
First controlled airplane flight at Kitty Hawk (1903).
Q8. Mount Mitchell Peak: [ TRUE ]
Q9. Coast Cliffs / No Beaches: [ FALSE ]
Q10. Show What You Know:
Accept any logical illustration or sentence matching a region: e.g., Mountains (trees, peaks, bears, apples), Piedmont (cities, factories, banks, red clay), Coastal Plain (beaches, lighthouses, sweet potatoes, crabs).
Guided Practice Activity Answer Key Student Handout Master
Part 1: Quick Region Clues:
1. Most people & Raleigh: Piedmont
2. Atlantic & Outer Banks: Coastal Plain
3. Mount Mitchell: Mountains
Part 2: Resource Matching Table:
1. Sweet Potatoes
Coastal Plain
2. Timber & Apples
Mountains
3. Banking & Tech
Piedmont
4. Crabs & Seafood
Coastal Plain
5. Red Clay Bricks
Piedmont
Part 2: History Spotlight Model Answers:
1. Lost Colony Mystery Word: "CROATOAN" (accept phonetic spelling if meaning is clear).
2. First in Flight: Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first successful motor-powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, NC on December 17, 1903.
North Carolina Teacher Guide • Page 1 of 2 Turn over for Accommodations & Rubrics →
Instructional Strategies • IEP & 504 Support Tier 1 & Tier 2 Interventions
Differentiation, Accommodations & Rubric
Testing Accommodations & Read-Aloud Scripts
Read-Aloud Protocol
Read questions and answer choices verbatim without inflection that reveals the answer. Re-read on student request.
