Social Studies Alive! Regions of Our Country Lesson Activities by Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Regions of Our Country Explore the content in these units: Unit 1: Discovering the Social Sciences Unit 5: Southwest Activity Online

Unit 2: Northeast

Unit 3: Southeast

Unit 4: Midwest Unit 7: Inquiry: Studying Your State

Unit 6: West

Regions of Our Country Student Journal

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Lesson 1

The Four Core Social Sciences What do social scientists do?

Lesson 1 The Four Core Social Sciences

Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Create a web diagram about the social sciences. Find and share artifacts from home that represent economics, geography, civics, and history.

Directions: Discovering the Social Sciences 1. Read Sections 1–4 and complete your Activity Notes with a partner. Add words, symbols, or pictures around each social science term in your Activity Notes. 2. Follow your teacher’s directions to create three sticky notes and place them on the Activity Cards around the room.

Directions: Sharing Social Science Artifacts 1. Read Section 5. Learn about the types of questions social scientists ask. 2. Find one small artifact in your home for each social science subject. Answer the questions in your journal about your four artifacts. Then place them in a small paper bag. 3. Follow your teacher’s directions to share your artifacts with the class. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 1 The Four Core Social Sciences

Lesson 2

Exploring Regions of the United States How do geographers study the regions of the United States?

Lesson 2 Exploring Regions of the United States

Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Learn the basic skills of a geographer and use those skills to answer questions about different regions. Use special-purpose maps to figure out where to build recreational parks in different regions.

Directions: Building Basic Geography Skills 1. Read Sections 1–6. Learn about different features of maps and globes. 2. Take a map quiz. Test your knowledge of maps and globes. 3. Practice map skills. Explore different regions of the country with your partner and answer questions about each region.

Directions: Building Recreational Parks in Different Regions 1. Read Sections 7–12. Learn about different regions in the United States. 2. Get into groups of four. Assign each member a specific job: Project Manager, Elevation Expert, Population Expert, or Rainfall Expert. 3. Read through the different recreational parks and their criteria. Note the important requirements, such as elevation, population, and rainfall. 4. Examine each geographic region. Each expert should examine the appropriate special-purpose map to determine if the location works. 5. Find the best park for each geographic region. Complete the chart by listing a recreational park for each region, its coordinates, and two reasons why the location works. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 2 Exploring Regions of the United States

Lesson 3

The Peopling of the United States How have different groups contributed to the United States?

Lesson 3 The Peopling of the United States

Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Analyze primary source quotes, songs, speeches, and poems to learn about different groups who came to the United States.

Directions: Native Americans—In Their Own Words 1. Read Section 1. Learn about the first Americans. 2. Look at the photograph and click the button to read the caption. 3. On the next slide, listen to a reading of the primary source. Read along in your Activity Notes. 4. Listen again with your eyes closed. What images do you see? Discuss with your group. 5. In your Activity Notes, record four images you “saw” in the primary source. 6. Discuss with your group: What does this primary source reveal to you about this group’s experience in the United States? Then share with the class. Repeat the steps above for the remaining activities:

• Latino Americans—In Their Own Words • European Americans—In Their Own Words • African Americans—In Their Own Words • Asian Americans—In Their Own Words © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 3 The Peopling of the United States

Lesson 4

A Tour of the Northeast What are different parts of the Northeast like?

Lesson 4 A Tour of the Northeast

Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Take a video tour of the Northeast and write fun questions for each stop.

Directions: Tour the Northeast 1. Sit with a partner. You will visit all the stops in the Northeast together. 2. Watch the video about the Northeast. 3. Answer the question that follows the video. 4. Read Section 1. Learn more about the Northeast. 5. Complete your Activity Notes. You will create your own question about the Northeast. Be sure to include an answer. 6. Repeat Steps 1–5 for Sections 2–11. 7. Sit with another group and answer each other’s questions. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 4 A Tour of the Northeast

Lesson 5

Population Density and Life in the Northeast How do people live in the Northeast?

Lesson 5 Population Density and Life in the Northeast

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Experience the population density of the Northeast and compare it to other locations in the United States. Create a comic strip that highlights life in the heavily populated areas of the Northeast.

Directions: Experiencing Population Density 1. Explore the different regions of the United States and their population densities. 2. Stand on pieces of paper that represent the different regions. Experience the region’s population density. 3. Read Sections 1–2. Learn all about living in the Northeast and how its population density affects the way of life there. 4. Complete the map in your Activity Notes.

Directions: Drawing a Comic About Life in the Northeast 1. Read Sections 3–7. Learn how location affects the way people live. 2. Choose a superhero to be the star of your comic. 3. Complete the table in your Activity Notes. Connect sections of the text to your comic to help you plan your storyboard. 4. Use the comic strip panels to create your comic. 5. Check to make sure your comic includes everything on the list.

Lesson 5 Population Density and Life in the Northeast

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Lesson 6

A Tour of the Southeast What factors have shaped the culture of the Southeast?

Lesson 6 A Tour of the Southeast

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Hands-On Activity

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New Orleans

N AI

L TA

ATLANTIC OCEAN

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Georgia

Natchez

35˚N

PL Columbia

Alabama

Jackson

Baton Rouge

Raleigh

Ala bam

3 Jamestown

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A Atlanta

Mississippi Louisiana

Richmond

Virginia

South Carolina

Hot Springs National Park

Memphis

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Little Rock

Tennessee

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North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Shenandoah National Park

Arkansas

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Kentucky Nashville

Charleston

Frankfort

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West Virginia

Activity Online

C OAS

TA L P L A I N

30˚N

Tallahassee

6 7

Florida

Cape Canaveral

Gulf of Mexico

Use your “social science” glasses to analyze what you see as you explore the Southeast on this self-directed tour. Everglades National Parkk

25˚N

Directions: Tour the0 Southeast 200 miles 100 1. Practice seeing the0 world from the perspective of the four social 100 200 kilometers 90˚W 85˚W 80˚W sciences. 2. Explore nine locations in the Southeast with a partner. Go wherever interests you.

SSA4_SE_06-1c Black Cyan MagentaYellow 3. Read more about the three locations that most Third Proof text. Think like a social scientist as you read. TCI13 your 41

interested you in

4. Complete your Activity Notes for each of the three stops. Describe what was interesting to you about that stop. Then write a question that a social scientist might ask about that stop.

Lesson 6 A Tour of the Southeast

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Lesson 7

The Effects of Geography on Life in the Southeast How has geography helped shape daily life in the Southeast?

Lesson 7 The Effects of Geography on Life in the Southeast

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Create titles and captions for videos of geography in the Southeast.

Directions: Effects of Geography on Life in the Southeast 1. Read Sections 1–6. Learn how geography affects life in the Southeast. 2. In pairs, watch each video. Explore different areas in the Southeast. 3. Give each video a title by matching it with a section title. Which section of the text reminds you of each video? 4. In your Activity Notes, create captions for each video by including vocabulary terms.

Lesson 7 The Effects of Geography on Life in the Southeast

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Lesson 8

A Tour of the Midwest Why do we call the Midwest “America’s Heartland”?

Lesson 8 A Tour of the Midwest

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150

300 kilometers

CANADA

Hands-On Activity

Lake of the Woods

North Dakota

e Superior Lak

Bismarck

Activity Online

Minnesota

Soo Locks

H ke

Rive

Mt. Rushmore M Monument M

Madison

Lincoln

r i Rive sour Mis

Nebraska

O'Hare Airport

Iowa

D Des Moines

Lake Michigan

S St. Paul M iss Wisconsin

h cag hi c Chicago

1St. Louis Jefferson City

Dodge City D

Lansing Detroit

Illinois

Kansas City

Michigan

Wrigley Field ield

Springfield

Kansas Topeka

Pierre

i ipp iss

Mall of America

uro

South Dakota

e ak

ie Er

Cleveland

Ohio Columbus

Indiana Indianapolis er Riv o i Oh

Missouri

Explore the Midwest on this self-directed tour and collect clues to reveal a secret word.

Directions: Tour the Midwest 1. With a partner, get ready to explore nine locations in the Midwest. 2. At your first stop, skim the section of text that corresponds with that stop. Read with a writing utensil in hand. Highlight anything that will State capital help you answer the focus question. City

Gulf of Mexico 3. Answer the focus question in your Activity Notes. MEXICO

Point of interest

4. Find the hidden letter100˚W and record it in your Activity Notes.80˚W 90˚W 5. Repeat Steps 2–4 to complete all nine stops. You will need to complete every section to reveal the saying about the Midwest. SSA4_SE_08-1b Black Cyan MagentaYellow Third Proof TCI13 61 © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 8 A Tour of the Midwest

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Lesson 9

Agricultural Changes in the Midwest How has farming changed in the Midwest over time?

Lesson 9 Agricultural Changes in the Midwest

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Focus on one reading section as you learn about how farming has changed over the years. Present information to others while you learn from them as well.

Directions: Completing a Jigsaw About Agricultural Changes 1. Read your assigned section from the text. 2. List two things you learned about your topic in the appropriate row in your Activity Notes. 3. Be prepared to share your notes. 4. Get in a group and learn about other sections from your classmates. 5. Read the other eight sections.

Directions: Trading Farming Information 1. Receive a “Then” or “Now” card. Study the image. It is an image of farming in the past or the present. 2. Find a partner to make a Then and Now pair. 3. Get your Activity Card about farming and examine the charts and tables. 4. Answer the questions about an aspect of farming. Record your answers on a piece of paper. 5. “Buy” and “sell” information to help others learn about your topic.

Lesson 9 Agricultural Changes in the Midwest

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Lesson 10

A Tour of the Southwest How have geography and history shaped life in the Southwest?

Lesson 10 A Tour of the Southwest

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Construct a shoebox diorama that will act as one of nine tour stops in the Southwest. Share your diorama and the perspectives of three inhabitants on the geography and history of the area.

Directions: Creating Dioramas for a Tour of the Southwest 1. Get into groups of four. Each group member will be assigned a role. 2. Review your role. Read about your responsibilities in the Activity Notes. 3. Follow the steps to complete your diorama: • Explore your tour stop by reading a section of your text. • Learn about the three inhabitants at your tour stop. • Construct your diorama.

Directions: Diorama Tour of the Southwest 1. Prepare to present your diorama. Follow the steps in your Activity Notes to prepare with your group. 2. Present your diorama. Remember your role as your group presents. 3. Take notes in your travel journal in your Activity Notes as you visit the other stops. Enjoy listening and learning from your classmates! © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 10 A Tour of the Southwest

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Lesson 11

A Case Study in Water Use: The Colorado River How do people depend on the Colorado River and share its water?

Lesson 11 A Case Study in Water Use: The Colorado River

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Home TV Shows Categories My Stuff

The Mighty Colorado River 2021

OVERVIEW

EPISODES

TRAILERS & MORE

TV-G

MORE LIKE THIS

DETAILS

Write the episode descriptions for the Colorado River series. Plan a documentary trailer about the future of the Colorado River.

Directions: The Colorado River Series 1. Read Sections 1–5. Learn about the history of the Colorado River and its uses. 2. With a partner, complete each episode summary by using information from your text.

Directions: The Future of the Colorado River 1. Read Sections 6–11. Learn all about the future of the Colorado River. 2. Plan your trailer about the Colorado River by using the storyboard in your Activity Notes. Complete each step to plan the beginning, middle, and end. Be sure to include: • an opening that highlights some of what viewers will see on the series • at least six images or video clips • at least four of the eight vocabulary terms, used appropriately © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 11 A Case Study in Water Use: The Colorado River

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Lesson 12

A Tour of the West What are the features that have drawn people to the West?

Lesson 12 A Tour of the West

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N W

E Hands-On Activity S

CAD

Columbia River

C AS

s Lolo Pass

Salem

Helena

Montana

ST R AN GE S

45˚N

Activity Online

rge Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Areaa

Olympia

Washington

C OA

Oregon Boise

Yellowstone National Park

Idaho

Wyoming

Nevada

Salt Lake City

Carson City

Sacramento

Utah

ive r

VA L

GREAT BASIN

Co lo ra do R

Great Salt Lake

Mt. Whitney (14,494 ft.)

Y California

35˚N

Cheyenne

Denver

3 Leadville Colorado C l

Las Vegas 0

NG ES

S I N T A U N

SIE

TRA

C OAST

CEN

40˚N

150

300 miles 300 kilometers

Los Angeles L

State capital PA C I F I C West states City OCEAN Complete a scavenger hunt while touring the West, andMidwest learnstates why people are National park Southwest states drawn to each location. Mountain 70˚ N

RUSSIA

ARCTIC OCEAN

65˚

30˚N Directions: Tour the Alaska C AWest N A DA

Dam

160˚W

158˚W

156˚W

1. With a ready to explore 9 Honolulu u 8 60˚N Start wherever you’d like! orag ge Anchorage Denali get D partner, (20,320 ft.)

22˚N

Hawaii nine locations

in the West.

Juneau PAthe C I F Iscavenger C 20˚N 2. At your first stop, read through hunt clues to answer Mauna Loa O C E A N 55˚N the questions in your Activity Notes. Use (13,677 ft.) you find to label the map. what PACIFIC 150 miles 0 75 0 200 400 miles MEXICO OCEAN 3. the section of text that corresponds with that stop. Highlight 0 Skim 400 kilometers 0 150 kilometers 165˚W 160˚W 155˚W 150˚W 145˚W 140˚W 135˚W anything that will help you answer the focus question.

4. In your Activity Notes, answer the focus question: What features SSA4_SE_12-1c draw people to this area? Black Cyan MagentaYellow Fourth Proof 5. Repeat Steps 2–4 TCI13 79

to complete all nine stops.

Lesson 12 A Tour of the West

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Lesson 13

Cities of the West What attracts people to the cities of the West?

Lesson 13 Cities of the West

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Solve a case of missing landmarks to learn more about western cities. Analyze a text exchange to prevent the thieves from shrinking the next landmark.

Directions: Collecting Evidence from Cities in the West 1. Read Sections 1–7. Learn about cities in the West. 2. Collect one piece of evidence on an Activity Card. Examine everything on it to determine the landmark, location, and the suspect. 3. Work with your partner to determine which landmark the piece of evidence is tied to. Use your text to make connections. 4. Complete the appropriate row in your Activity Notes. Fill out the evidence ID number, location, and how the evidence connects. 5. Repeat Steps 2–4 until you have examined all pieces of evidence.

Directions: Catching a Thief 1. Read Section 8. Learn about how you can research and organize more information. 2. Review the text exchange and Section 8 to look for hints about the thieves’ next stop. What clues do you see about the location and date? 3. Determine which city the hints are tied to. 4. Complete your Activity Notes. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 13 Cities of the West

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Lesson 14

The Geography of Your State How has geography influenced life in your state?

Lesson 14 The Geography of Your State

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Explore the tools geographers use as you create a state geography game that connects to history, economics, and more. Play a state geography trivia game with a partner.

Directions: Creating a State Geography Trivia Game 1. Read Section 1. Learn about tools geographers use. 2. Complete Section 1 Activity Notes. 3. Answer the trivia questions on the slide. Use your decoder key to answer the questions. 4. Repeat Steps 1–3 for Sections 2–5. 5. Revise the questions your wrote in the Activity Notes as trivia questions, or write new questions. Make sure they meet the State Geography Trivia Questions criteria.

Directions: Playing a State Geography Trivia Game 1. Prepare to share your trivia questions with a partner. 2. Decide who will ask the first question. 3. Take turns asking and answering questions as you keep score for three rounds. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 14 The Geography of Your State

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Lesson 15

The History of Your State How can you learn about your state’s history?

Lesson 15 The History of Your State

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Learn the difference between primary and secondary sources and understand why people study the past. Research primary or secondary sources related to your state’s history that cover three time periods.

Directions: Training to Be an Archivist 1. Find your small groups by piecing together an artifact. 2. Read Sections 1–2. Learn about how and why we study the past. 3. Discuss whether your artifact is a primary or secondary source. 4. Complete the Activity Notes for your artifact and then for the other artifacts. 5. Be prepared to share your artifact and your answers.

Directions: Artifacts of Our State History 1. Read Sections 3–6. Learn about how a state may change over time. 2. Get into groups of three. 1. Assign each person in your group to a section in your Activity Notes. One person will be assigned Sections 4–5. 2. Complete your Activity Notes. Research to find the answers to your questions, along with a primary or secondary source. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 15 The History of Your State

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Lesson 16

The Economy of Your State What do you need to know to understand your state’s economy?

Lesson 16 The Economy of Your State

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Learn how to spot economics all around you. Research economics in your state and collect images that showcase everyday economics.

Directions: Picturing Economics 1. Explore examples of economics in everyday pictures. 2. Read Sections 1–6. Learn all about economics in your state. 3. Complete your Activity Notes. Use your Activity Notes to help you plan the photos you hope to take. 4. Collect five images that show economics all around you. • Either take photos or include a credit naming the photographer. • Connect each photo to a different economic term: { budget { factors of production { market { scarcity { tax • Use photos taken in your state. • Write a caption that describes the image and explains how it connects to one of the economic vocabulary terms. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 16 The Economy of Your State

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Lesson 17

The Government of Your State How does your state’s government work?

Lesson 17 The Government of Your State

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Hands-On Activity Activity Online

Learn about your state government while creating a puzzle game.

Directions: Building a State Government Puzzle 1. Get into groups of four. You will be working together to create a puzzle. 2. Receive your section assignment from your teacher. Your group will be responsible for reading this section. 3. Follow along in your Activity Notes to create a puzzle. Divide the assigned roles among your group, read your assigned role, and get started. 4. Work as a group to get your puzzle ready to present to others. You should have: • a paragraph of information • a complete puzzle • the answer to your puzzle © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 17 The Government of Your State

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Regions of Our Country Explore the content in these units: Unit 1: Discovering the Social Sciences Unit 5: Southwest Activity Online

Unit 2: Northeast

Unit 3: Southeast

Unit 4: Midwest Unit 7: Inquiry: Studying Your State

Unit 6: West

Regions of Our Country Student Journal

Spanish

Play

Games

Highlighting

Main Ideas

Add Note

Even More Maps

Biographies

Primary Sources

Name: