United States Regions
This one Indicator is so very important and a great foundation for all of the student’s learning until the twelth grade.
Purpose
The purpose of this unit is to give the students an overall understanding of the regions of this country and a glimpse into the history that will be studied in these regions for the next several years.
Materials Needed
- a map of the United States (a puzzle in which each state can be removed would be great).
- internet
Let’s Begin and Think About It
The United States can be divided into many different sections other than north, south, east, and west. Some of the reasons for these devisions is because of the way that our country was first explored.
Find your state on the map.
Now find the states in the general north of the country, south, east, and west. Do you notice how some of the states could be considered in more than one part. This is why more specific descriptions are needed such as southwest or southeast instead of just south and east.
United States Maps
Look at these different maps and try to explain to the students how the many different regions came into existence.
When the country was beginning to expand before, during, and after the Civil War in 1865, everyone only said”GO WEST”. Look at the map of the west and see how many states are included.
The states are also divided because of their climate, such as the New England or northeast is very cold in the winter and the southwest is very hot and dry year-round.
The mid-west states are bordered by mountains on both sides and the land is covered in grass and is very flat.
Links
Here are some informative links for the US states.
Post Cards From Americ is a wonderful site which will incorporate the learning of the various states throughout the school year. You will need to subscribe.
Information about each state
Look at the Streamline SC video and talk about each section by pressing control P to stop the video.
VIDEO: Physical Geography
While looking at these different parts of the country also look at the people that live and working each region and how their culture blends into this melting pot we call our country.