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Overview:
In this lesson, students will research and learn about the culture, physical geography, and history of states in each region of the United States. Students will develop a "family travel plan" and create an itinerary to highlight interesting destinations and characteristics of selected states, while working within limitations such as time and available resources.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, history (American), social studies
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 5: "That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity"
Time:
Three to five hours
Materials Required:
- Computer with Internet access
- World and Continental maps from National Geographic’s Xpeditions Atlas, large classroom world map, or globe
Objectives:
Students will
- research cultural, geographic, and historical information about selected states in the United States;
- create a plan for travel through one region of the United States with their families; and
- identify each of the states in the United States.
Geographic Skills:
Acquiring Geographic Information
Organizing Geographic Information
Analyzing Geographic Information
S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e
Opening:
Explain to students that they will be planning a family trip through one region of the United States for the next several classes. Explain that they will be divided into groups and will have to develop a three-week trip through one region of the United States. They will have to make sure that during their trip they focus on the geography, culture, and history of at least three states in their assigned region.
Development:
Divide students into groups of three. Assign each group one of the following regions to explore:
- Northeastern United States
- Southern United States
- Western United States
- Midwest United States
Explain that as "travel planners," they will need to develop a three-week tour itinerary (or plan) for their families. Explain that their ultimate product will be an itinerary that describes the planned trip in detail, and that they will share it with the class.
Have students explore the following websites to learn basic information about destinations in the states of their assigned region. As they work, have them take notes about each destination they would like to visit on their family trip.
National Geographic: Destinations Travel Guide—U.S. and Canada
50States.com Regional List of Community Websites
Roadside America Offbeat Tourist Attractions Map
State Travel Board Links
As students are researching their regions, have them record information on detailed versioned maps of the United States and their select states printed from the Xpeditions Atlas.
Ask students to compare and contrast several of the states. Ask them to consider:
- What do these states have in common?
- How are they different?
- What impact does the geography of the land have on regional differences? (For example, does a range of mountains separate two states that are very different? Does a water body separate two states that are very different? Do states only separated by a political border differ less than those which are also separated by a geographic feature?)
Have students plan their tour by filling out the details on their Family Trip Planning Sheet (PDF, Adobe Acrobat Reader required). Remind them that there are rules for their trip, which are listed below:
- You must visit at least three states in your region.
- You must use a variety of transportation methods (plane, bus, car, train, etc.).
- You must visit cultural landmarks, geographic landmarks, and historical landmarks during the trip.
- Your three states must have unique characteristics and represent the diversity of that region.
- You must visit at least one "unusual roadside attraction" in each state (such as the largest ball of twine, the smallest suspension bridge, the oldest school, etc.).
Closing:
Suggested Student Assessment:
Have students present their itineraries in small groups. They should explain how they have given a good representation of the wealth and breadth of the diversity of their assigned region. Understanding will be demonstrated in the following:
- diversity in state selections;
- accurate selection of historical, cultural, and geographic landmarks; and
- ability to convey how each of the states is different from the other states in their trip plan.
Extending the Lesson:
Have students complete the GeoSpy state identification game. If time allows, have students play until they have a perfect score. Related Links:
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