Exploring Regions of the United States
Essential Question: How do geographers study the regions of the United States?
Overview
Students apply basic map skills to learn about the regions of the United States. In the Preview activity, they draw a map of their own home showing its different “regions.” In a Social Studies Skill Builder, they interpret a series of special-purpose maps depicting five regions of the United States and attempt to identify the locations at which five images of the United States were taken. In Reading Further, students discover why the Mississippi River is the most important river in the United States. In the Processing activity, students use their new map skills to explore three locations of their choice.
Objectives
Social Studies
• Interpret a physical map of the United States by using directions and latitude and longitude.
• Interpret special-purpose maps: elevation, annual rainfall, and population density.
• Hypothesize the locations of five photographs, using geographic information.
• Analyze the relationship between river systems and people.
• Research geographic information.
Language Arts
• Write reasons to support answers. (writing)
Social Studies Vocabulary scale, map key, line of latitude, line of longitude, global grid, special-purpose map, coastal plain, inland, plateau, basin, levee
Essential Question: How do geographers study the regions of the United States?
Overview
Students apply basic map skills to learn about the regions of the United States. In the Preview activity, they draw a map of their own home showing its different “regions.” In a Social Studies Skill Builder, they interpret a series of special-purpose maps depicting five regions of the United States and attempt to identify the locations at which five images of the United States were taken. In Reading Further, students discover why the Mississippi River is the most important river in the United States. In the Processing activity, students use their new map skills to explore three locations of their choice.
Objectives
Social Studies
• Interpret a physical map of the United States by using directions and latitude and longitude.
• Interpret special-purpose maps: elevation, annual rainfall, and population density.
• Hypothesize the locations of five photographs, using geographic information.
• Analyze the relationship between river systems and people.
• Research geographic information.
Language Arts
• Write reasons to support answers. (writing)
Social Studies Vocabulary scale, map key, line of latitude, line of longitude, global grid, special-purpose map, coastal plain, inland, plateau, basin, levee