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| ____ This
regions is one of the most exciting because not only are the students
really begin to grasp the components that define
a region, but there are also a great many historical topics which can be
expanded upon (Gold
Rush, Westward Movement, Transcontinental Railroad and Highway, Alaska,
Hawaii, Guam, etc…). Often the possibilities
are only hindered by the end of the year or a culminating project. |
|
____ One
of my favorite activities that I can fit in within a month (although
it could definitely last longer) is the Interact simulation
game covering the Westward Movement. This is very similar to River Deeps’ Oregon
Trail, however, the imaginary trail in which the students buy supplies,
join a wagon train, receive fates, and make decisions, is a combination
of the major westward trails from the mid 1800’s. The students also
create a journal of their travels, hardships, and decision making.
____ The
teacher’s packet is well laid out and contains all the
reproducibles and pacing you need to give the students a realistic
adventure. I supplement
the packet by requiring the group to read and work on various worksheets
covering the two chapters in our HarcourtBrace:
States & Regions text. I also built off the challenge points
portion and put together a binder of pioneer projects that allow for
extra credit movement points.
The teacher’s packet does list a fair amount of ideas, but I found
the students needed more focus and detail. You too can work on finding
resources that contain graphics, recipes, and more detailed steps for
projects. Some of them may be available in the many WebQuests developed
and listed in this area. |
Place
|
What should
they know?
|
__ What
are the unique human made and natural characteristics of the region?
__ What
are the advantages or disadvantages for human habitation?
|
How can I
help them
to experience this?
|
 Sierra by Diane Siebert
-A poem about the beauty of this mountain range
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Brainpop: Tundra
-This Alaskan biome is the only example in the United States.
Brainpop: Mountains & Mountain
Types
-Learn how the great mountain ranges of the west were formed.
Look at Death
Valley from a photographic point of view
The Old Faithful geyser web
cam at Yellowstone National Park
Brainpop: Earthquakes & Volcanoes
-The  intro to the National
Geographic: Eye in the Sky (Wildfires, Earthquakes, & Volcanoes)
piece is worth playing
alone. |
Build
a three-dimensional rocky mountain relief
map of the western United
States out of clay or paper mache.
The best part
about Volcano World is
it is a great place for teachers and kids to explore, learn,
and view live feeds to real volcanoes!
Discovery
School can help you with some  and
even has a link for some paper cutouts to demonstrate
how earthquakes work. |
Location
|
What should
they know?
|
____ Where
is the region? |
How can I
help them
to experience this?
|
Blast
Off to Earth! A Look at Geography by Loreen Leedy
*I have not read this book, but I did find some geography . |
Interactive
Map - Roll your mouse over the map to determine state
name and its capital. This  map gives
you attractions near major cities.
What are the
different types of land forms? Sure cartoons are nice, but what about
real pictures? |
National
Atlas - Create your own statistically accurate map about
each region or part of the United States
What's it like
in your backyard? Begin learning about geography by
looking out your window. With different regions and land forms, this
idea could mold itself into a postcard
activity that could be sent to other elementary schools.
Having difficulty
constructing visual using
latitude & longitude? Check out this online
example by Mr. Brad Bowerman. Then check out an online
quiz.
While this is a
little advanced, size down the list and make your own geography
dictionary with pictures! |
Movement
|
What should they know?
|
__ What
physical movement has helped form this region?
__ How
has geography affected interaction between this region and other
regions?
|
How can I
help them
to experience this?
|
If you Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen
Levine
-This book explains what it was like to be a pioneer and travel on the Oregon
Trail
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Brainpop: Gold
Rush
-Mini-movie about the craze that helped spread the U.S. west |
What causes climate?
Find all weather
related topics and
The Albatross
Experiment is all about tracking birds. Check out the teacher
available.
Check out Scholastic for covering
the westward expansion. But the
best experience for this goal is the simulation game above! |
Human
Interaction
with Environment
|
What should they know?
|
__ How
have people past and present interacted with the environment?
__ How
do people adapt to change and depend on this region?
|
How can I
help them
to experience this?
|
Iditarod
Dream: Dusty and His Sled Dogs Compete in Alaska's Jr. Iditarod by Ted Wood |
What was it like to be a pioneer and could today's people make it?
Watch an episode of Frontier
House. This PBS reality series took several families
to the Montana wilderness and asked them to build a home and prepare
for the winter as if it were 1883. Will they make it? |
Have
a classroom debate whether
a new set of dams should go into the wild streams. What would happen to
the salmon who swim up stream to lay their eggs?
Celebrate Hawaiian culture with food, festivals,
and music.
Have the students 1) research each musher before the race, 2)read and learn
about the history and the trail, 3)follow their musher with web cams and
updates, 4)then hold an awards ceremony at the end. All from Iditarod.com!
*
 If
you have time (and snow), allow the students to research and construct
their own dog sleds from cardboard to
race!
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