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Regions of the United States

| 5th Grade | 7-8th Grades | Standards | Teachers' Resources |

5th Grade resources

Visit the US from coast to coast http://library.thinkquest.org/5046/
"Select a colored region to begin your travels. Hope you enjoy your trip through the U.S. regions."

USA Geography http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
Games and tutorials on capitals, states, and landscapes.

Landform regions http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g2_u2/index.html
Interactive map allows users to see what landforms are in which areas of the US.

Geonet Regions http://www.eduplace.com/geonet/
Interactive quizzes about US Regions (World regions also available).

US Regional Map/Quiz Printouts
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/regions.shtml

Outline Maps http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/usa.html

Regions of the US http://regions.mrdonn.org/usa.html
Activities, maps, and lesson plans.

 

Student PowerPoint Presentations

Mid-Atlantic

New England

Midwest

West

South, Part 1

South, Part 2

Soutwest

 

 

Look for these labels to find information on a site:

SF=State Facts; AG=Agriculture; CL=Climate; LF=Landforms; NR=Natural Resources

| State Facts | Agriculture | Meteorology | Geology | Environment | Teacher Resources |

Facts SF

US Geography http://www.learninghaven.com/articles/us_geography.html CL, LF, NR, Culture
"The vast landmass of the United States houses a varied topography, with a surplus of physical features ranging from snow-capped mountains to the azure sea, from the rolling plains to the arid desert. The astounding variation in the geography of America translates into wide-ranging differences in its climate and environment too."

50 States Information http://www.50states.com/ SF, AG, CL, LF
Fifty folders with general information about each state, plus state and capital maps, songs, flags.

The Fifty States http://www.infoplease.com/states.html SF, LF, AG, CL
Click on the map for state profiles.

Facts About the States http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/states.html SF, AG, CL, LF, NR
"Click on any state or on the list below for data and facts galore!"

State Regions http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0770177.html
"These regions have similar climate, geography, traditions, and history."

Five US Regions http://library.thinkquest.org/4552/
"The United States is divided into five regions. These regions are the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West."

National Atlas http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/ CL, AG, LF
Customize and print maps. Links to exhaustive regional information.

State Facts http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/stateknow/
"These web pages will help you find out the basic facts of any state in the Union, including Washington, D.C."

US State Facts http://london.usembassy.gov/rcstates.html
Overview and links to state governments from the American Embassy to the United Kingdom.

U.S. Gazetteer http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer
Searchable gazetteer used to identify places to view with the Tiger Map Server and obtain census data from the 1990 Census Lookup server. You can search for places, counties or MCDs by entering the name and state abbreviation (optional), or 5-digit zip code.

Postcards From America http://www.postcardsfrom.com/ LF, AG, NR
"Discover America Through Postcards"

CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Complete country information.

Travel Guide http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/292/country_guide/North-America/United-States-of-America.html
"The USA is a huge country to explore, with 50 states to choose from, flanked by two oceans and covering an incredibly varied terrain."

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Geology LF :

World Atlas Major Landforms http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/usanewe.htm
Landforms of the US and individual states.

What is a Landform? http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/jh/earth/mapstools/lesson1/mapstools01a.html
"Understanding landforms can help you interpret maps."

Landforms on Answers.com http://www.answers.com/topic/landform
"Landforms are categorised by characteristics such as elevation, slope, orientation, stratification, rock exposure, and soil type. "

Illustrated Glossary http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/landforms/glossary.shtml
Includes landforms and bodies of water.

Coastal Plain http://www.answers.com/coastal%20plain
"The coastal plain is a geologic province that is linked to the stable part of a continent on the trailing edge of a plate."

Great Plains http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Plains
"The Great Plains is the broad expanse of prairie and steppe which lies east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada."

Great Plains Physical Geography http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/us/A0858459.html
"The Great Plains region has generally level or rolling terrain; its subdivisions include Edwards Plateau, the Llano Estacado, the High Plains, the Sand Hills, the Badlands, and the Northern Plains."

50 States Information http://www.50states.com/
Fifty folders with general information about each state, plus state and capital maps, songs, flags.

The Fifty States http://www.infoplease.com/states.html
Click on the map for state profiles.

Facts About the States http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/states.html
"Click on any state or on the list below for data and facts galore!"

National Atlas http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/
Customize and print maps. Links to exhaustive regional information.

Postcards From America http://www.postcardsfrom.com/
"Discover America Through Postcards"

Color Landform Atlas http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/
"We have over 500 maps in 3-D, black and white, color relief, historical, horizon, planetary, and oceanic categories to name just a few."

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Meteorology CL:

Precipitation Maps http://wrcc.dri.edu/precip.html
"Click on * for more detailed map"

What is the Environment? http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775267.html
"The environment is something you are very familiar with. It's everything that makes up our surroundings and affects our ability to live on the earth—the air we breathe, the water that covers most of the earth's surface, the plants and animals around us, and much more."

What is Temperature? http://www.weatherwizkids.com/temperature.htm
"Temperature is a degree of hotness or coldness the can be measured using a thermometer."

What is Precipitation? http://www.fondriest.com/science_library/precipitation.htm
"Precipitation is any form of water that falls to the earth's surface."

Weather and Climate http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/weather.html
"[Weather]: n the day to day condition of the atmosphere [Climate]: n the average weather over a period of time - usually one year"

Climate http://weathereye.kgan.com/cadet/climate/index.html
"If you know the climate for a place, you have powerful information about what the weather may be like today, tomorrow, or next summer! "

Regional Climates http://weathereye.kgan.com/cadet/climate/climate.html
"You can find out about the different climates in the continental United States."

Facts About the States http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/states.html
"Click on any state or on the list below for data and facts galore!"

50 States Information http://www.50states.com/
Fifty folders with general information about each state, plus state and capital maps, songs, flags.

The Fifty States http://www.infoplease.com/states.html
Click on the map for state profiles.

National Atlas http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/
Customize and print maps. Links to exhaustive regional information.

US Climate http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/USclimate/states.fast.html
Click on a state and city of interest to see complete climate information.

Climate by Region http://met-www.cit.cornell.edu/other_rcc.html
"The National Climatic Data Center's Regional Climate Centers Program was developed to meet local and regional needs for climate data, research-based information, and expertise."

Climate of 100 US Cities http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0762183.html
Charts average monthly temperature and yearly precipitation figures.

Wind Energy Resource Atlas http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/
See Chapter 3, "Regional Summaries".

Garden Climate Zones Map http://homegarden.move.com/homegarden/gardening/landscaping/zones/climate/index.asp?poe=move
"A plant's performance is governed by the total climate: length of growing season, timing and amount of rainfall, winter lows, summer highs, humidity."

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Agriculture AG:

Plants Need These to Grow http://hcs.osu.edu/hcs/TMI/HORT234/BotanyPrimer/sld013.htm

U.S. Crops: Where are they grown? http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5219?opendocument
"This ... will show where each of the major US crops is grown. It will also show when the crops are planted, when they are in their reproductive state and when they are harvested."

Crop Acreage and Yield http://www.usda.gov/nass/aggraphs/cropmap.htm
"U.S. Maps Showing Counties Crop Year 2004"

Major Crops of the Northern Plains http://www.northern-crops.com/crops/crops.htm
"The four state region comprised of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana is located in the northern Great Plains of the United States. This region produces an abundance of agricultural commodities. "

Gardening With the Weather http://www.rootrainers.co.uk/guide/growingseason
"When gardening it is quite useful to know a few facts about climatic and weather conditions as they can have an impact on the growing season."

Growing Season http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0821963.html
"In temperate climates the growing season is limited by seasonal changes in temperature and is defined as the period between the last killing frost of spring and the first killing frost of autumn, at which time annual plants die and biennials and perennials cease active growth and become dormant for the cold winter months."

Corn Belt http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/us/A0813571.html
"Corn Belt, major agricultural region of the U.S. Midwest where corn acreage once exceeded that of any other crop."

Wheat Belt http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9076741/Wheat-Belt
"Wheat Belt, the part of the North American Great Plains where wheat is the dominant crop."

Rice Acreage Map http://www.ricejournal.com/map.asp
Where is rice grown in the U.S.?

Vegetation Map http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/vegmaps3.html#united
Maps by state or country that show where crops are grown.

50 States Information http://www.50states.com/
Fifty folders with general information about each state, plus state and capital maps, songs, flags.

The Fifty States http://www.infoplease.com/states.html
Click on the map for state profiles.

Facts About the States http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/states.html
"Click on any state or on the list below for data and facts galore!"

National Atlas http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/
Customize and print maps. Links to exhaustive regional information.

Postcards From America http://www.postcardsfrom.com/
"Discover America Through Postcards"

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Environment NR

What is the Environment? http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775267.html
"The environment is something you are very familiar with. It's everything that makes up our surroundings and affects our ability to live on the earth—the air we breathe, the water that covers most of the earth's surface, the plants and animals around us, and much more."

California's Natural Resources http://ceres.ca.gov/ceres/calweb/precious_resources.html
"California ... is a region of unsurpassed beauty and natural splendor, blessed with an abundance of rich and varied resources. "

Glossary of Water Terms http://www.wef.org/LearnAboutWater/ForThePublic/WaterTerms/
"These resources are designed to help educators and students of all levels become more educated and involved in their water environment."

Stream Flow by Region http://www.usgs.gov/
Track water flow by state.

Teachers' Resources

Tour USA Webquest http://tuckahoe.blwd.k12.pa.us/faculty/tlh/TourUSA/TourUS.htm

The Great American Quest http://homework-help.aol.com/quest
"A fun 'journey' across the country using StudyBuddy.com, the Internet search engine built especially for students like you to help with homework. "

US Regions printable maps and quizzes http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/regions.shtml
"Click on a region ... to go to a printable quiz on the geography of that region."

Outline Maps of Regions http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/usa.html

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Grade 5 Social Studies Standards

5.1 Students describe the major pre-Columbian settlements, including the cliff dwellers and pueblo people of the desert Southwest, the American Indians of the Pacific Northwest, the nomadic nations of the Great Plains, and the woodland
peoples east of the Mississippi River.
1. Describe how geography and climate influenced the way various nations lived and adjusted to the natural environment, including locations of villages, the distinct structures that they built, and how they obtained food, clothing, tools, and utensils.

Grade 7 English/Language Arts Standards: Written and Oral English Language Conventions

Listening and Speaking
1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies

Deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience. Students evaluate the content of oral communication.

Comprehension
1.1 Ask probing questions to elicit information, including evidence to support the speaker's claims and conclusions.
1.2 Determine the speaker's attitude toward the subject.
1.3 Respond to persuasive messages with questions, challenges, or affirmations.

Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.4 Organize information to achieve particular purposes and to appeal to the background and interests of the audience.
1.5 Arrange supporting details, reasons, descriptions, and examples effectively and persuasively in relation to the audience.
1.6 Use speaking techniques, including voice modulation, inflection, tempo, enunciation, and eye contact, for effective presentations.

Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
1.7 Provide constructive feedback to speakers concerning the coherence and logic of a speech's content and delivery and its overall impact upon the listener.
1.8 Analyze the effect on the viewer of images, text, and sound in electronic journalism; identify the techniques used to achieve the effects in each instance studied.

Grade 8 English/Language Arts Standards: Written and Oral English Language Conventions

Listening and Speaking
1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies

Students deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience. They evaluate the content of oral communication.

Comprehension
1.1 Analyze oral interpretations of literature, including language choice and delivery, and the effect of the interpretations on the listener.
1.2 Paraphrase a speaker's purpose and point of view and ask relevant questions concerning the speaker's content, delivery, and purpose.

Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.3 Organize information to achieve particular purposes by matching the message, vocabulary, voice modulation, expression, and tone to the audience and purpose.
1.4 Prepare a speech outline based upon a chosen pattern of organization, which generally includes an introduction; transitions, previews, and summaries; a logically developed body; and an effective conclusion.
1.5 Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate and colorful modifiers, and the active rather than the passive voice in ways that enliven oral presentations.
1.6 Use appropriate grammar, word choice, enunciation, and pace during formal presentations.
1.7 Use audience feedback (e.g., verbal and nonverbal cues):
a. Reconsider and modify the organizational structure or plan.
b. Rearrange words and sentences to clarify the meaning.

Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
1.8 Evaluate the credibility of a speaker (e.g., hidden agendas, slanted or biased material).
1.9 Interpret and evaluate the various ways in which visual image makers (e.g., graphic artists, illustrators, news photographers) communicate information and affect impressions and opinions.

ISTE NETS

National Educational Technology Standards (NETSoS) and Performance Indicators for Students:

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and
media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d. process data and report results.

 

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