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Home , Appalachian Mountains, Midwestern United States, Mountain states, New England, Region

North American

Lesson 3: of the

Unit Overview: As students work through the activities in this unit they will be introduced to the United States in , different regions of the United States, symbols, Hall of Famer Jack Kramer, and his Barnstorming Tour of the 1950s. They will explore, through varied learning experiences, the significance of Kramer’s tour to the game of tennis while learning about different parts of the . The activities that accompany this unit are geared towards the students’ multiple intelligences and will provide academic challenges at multiple levels of cognitive complexity while satisfying the goal of working towards mastery of grade appropriate common core standards of Literacy, Geography, and Mathematics.

Objectives: Students will be able to-

• Gain background knowledge through vocabulary activities and comprehension activities (such as guided questioning and using appropriate graphic organizers) the geography of the United States and its regions, along with what it was like in the 1950s. • Form an understanding of the contribution that Jack Kramer made to the sport of tennis. • Demonstrate what they have learned about the geography of the United States, map skills, Jack Kramer and his significance to the game of tennis, and his place in history by successfully completing guided questioning activities, group organizers, and by taking part in meaningful classroom discussions.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA – Literacy RI 4.3 - Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

CCSS.ELA – Literacy RI 4.7 - Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

CCSS.ELA – LiteracyW.4.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

CCSS.ELA – LiteracyW.4.7 -Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

CC.3.MD.1 – Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects. Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes, e.g., by representing the problem on a number line diagram.

CC.3.MD.5 – Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition. Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.

CC.4.MD.4 – Represent and interpret data. Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions by using information presented in line plots. For example, from a line plot find and interpret the difference in length between the longest and shortest specimens in an insect collection.

Rhode Island Department of Education Standards

G 1: in Spatial Terms: Understanding and interpreting the organization of people, places, and environments on ’s surface provides an understanding of the world in spatial terms. G 1 (3-4) – 1 Students understand , globes, and other geographic tools and technologies by: -accurately using maps to identify locations. -identifying relationships between time, space, and distance. -organizing information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context (e.g., the school is to the east of the store; the house is northeast of the ). G 1 (3-4) –2 Students identify the characteristics and features of maps by: -applying map skills to represent a location (e.g., design a map). -identifying and describing locations.

G 2: Places and Regions: Physical and characteristics (e.g., culture, experiences, etc.) influence places and regions. G 2 (3-4) – 1 Students understand the physical and human characteristics of places by: -explaining ways in which geographical features determine how people live and work (e.g., living near the gives opportunity to be fishermen or marine biologist). - explaining how natural/physical features and human-made features makes a place unique. G 2 (3-4) –2 Students distinguish between regions and places by: - defining a and its associated places (e.g., the region of includes the of Providence; a city can have several neighborhoods). - explaining the difference between regions and places (e.g., a region is dry, rainforest regions are wet; Providence is densely populated, Exeter is sparsely populated).

Grades 3 and 4 Mathematics: Measurements and Data -Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid, volumes, and masses of objects -Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and addition

Lesson Time Suggested: Two class periods

Possible Sources:

• The Midwest (True Books) by Dana Meachen Rau • The Northeast (True Books: U.S. Regions) by Dana Meachen Rau • The Southeast (True Books: U.S. Regions) by Dana Meachen Rau • The Southwest (True Books: U.S. Regions) by Dana Meachen Rau • The West (True Books: U.S. Regions) by Dana Meachen Rau

Materials Needed:

• Vocabulary Builder #3 • Regional map of the United States • Handouts about the 4 regions • Pieces of paper, with region and state name to be picked out of a hat for each student • Travel brochures from different states • Paper, travel magazines, scissors, glue for brochures

Vocabulary:

• Region- a broad geographic area • City- a place in which people live that is larger than a • Brochure- a short booklet containing advertising or descriptive material

Lesson & Activity

Teaching/Model

1. Vocabulary Builder: Each student will receive a Vocabulary Builder graphic organizer. The teacher will read each word and ask the students to fill in bubble 1 if they have never heard the word before, bubble 2 if they have heard the word but are unsure of the definition or bubble 3 if they know the word and can give the definition and use it in a sentence. 2. The teacher will work collaboratively with the students to come up with a working definition of the words on the graphic organizer and a sentence using the words as they pertain to the lesson at hand. 3. The students will then be put into four groups – one for each region of the country. The groups will receive the handouts and learn about their regions. 4. Students will analyze a variety of travel brochures and discuss what makes them an effective brochure 5. **Students who exceed or meet expectations: a. The students in each group will be given a state to research from their assigned region, for which they will design a brochure. b. Using magazines provided by the teacher, the students will create brochures. c. Group members will comment on each other’s work. d. The groups will present their brochures to the class, and the teacher will print out all of the brochures for a “Guide to the United States by Region” 6. **Students who partially meet or did not yet meet expectations: a. The students in the group will be given one or two states to research from their assigned region, for which they will design brochures b. Using magazines provided by the teacher, the students will create brochures. c. Group members will comment on each other’s work. d. The groups will present their brochures to the class, and the teacher will print out all of the brochures for a “Guide to the United States by Region”

U.S. State Facts: Northeast Region What do think of when you picture the Northeast Region of the United States? Perhaps it is the like City, DC, and . You may think of the miles of beautiful beaches like those on () or on in New York. Perhaps you think of one of the amazing natural wonders like Niagara Falls in . In fact, there is an incredible variety of people and places in this region. Basic Northeast Region U.S. State Facts

• The 9 states that make up the U.S. Northeast Region o o New York o o o Massachusetts o o o o • Six of the states in this region are collectively called the . They are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. • The Northeast states of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are often referred to as the Middle States. • The of the Northeast varies by . Winters are often extremely cold; especially in the northern most states such as Maine. The regions summers are generally warm and humid.

Northeast Region Points of Interest

• - This city is one of the main tourist destinations in the world with way to many attractions to list here. • The Freedom Trail - A walking trail in Boston Massachusetts with 16 important historic sites including Paul Reveres House and Boston Common. • House - Located in Hartford Connecticut this was the home of the famous American author from 1874 to 1891. • Gettysburg Battlefield - Located in Gettysburg Pennsylvania this was the sight of the biggest battle of the .

Interesting Northeast Region U.S. State Facts

• All 9 states in this region were part of original thirteen British before the U.S. won its independence in the . The areas that are now Vermont and Maine were actually part of other colonies before the Revolutionary War. • The smallest state (Rhode Island) is located in this region. • At 6,288 feet the peak of in New Hampshire is the highest point in the Northeast. • There are many National Historic Landmarks in this region – approximately half of these U.S. landmarks are found in this region. • New York City, which is located in the Northeast, has the highest population of any city in the U.S.; its population exceeds that of most states.

U.S. State Facts Midwest Region Often referred to as American's Heartland, anyone that has ever really explored the Midwest region of the United States will tell you, there is much more to it than just and expansive farmland. Yes, you will find , but what you will also find is the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world, the . You will also find one of the most famous landmarks in America. , , , and will forever live on in the of where their faces were carved into . Perhaps you are familiar with the Mall of America, the in St. Louis, or the name , all of which are associated with the Midwest.

Basic Midwest Region U.S. State Facts

• The 12 states that make up the mid-western region of the United States include o o o o o o o o o o South Dakota o o • Because there are no in the , temperatures can often be extreme with fluctuations in temperature throughout the year sometimes exceeding 100 degrees or more. Summers can be brutally hot, while winters can be bone chilling.

Midwest Region Points of Interest

• Using mostly dynamite and the manpower of approximately 400 people Mount Rushmore, located near Keystone South Dakota, was completed in 1941 and became one of the Midwest’s most amazing points of interest. • Bloomington, Minnesota is home to the Mall of America, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. With over 400 events each year and over 400 stores as well as a waterpark, aquarium, mini-golf course, and much more, it's easy to see why over 35 million people visit the mall each year. • St. Louis, Missouri is where you will find the world's tallest arch; the Gateway Arch. It towers 630 feet tall, is made of stainless and was completed in 1965.

Interesting Midwest Region U.S. State Facts

• , Illinois is the most populated city in the Midwest and the third largest city in the nation. • Some of the other major cities in the Midwest include , Michigan; St. Paul, Minnesota; , Wisconsin; , Minnesota; and St. Louis. • The deadliest tornado in U.S. history ripped through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana killing 695 people in of 1925. • The , Upper , and are the major rivers that flow through the Midwest. • The Midwestern states are nestled between the and the , right in the middle of the U.S. • Major crops in the Midwest are , corn and ; giving rise to the nickname the "Breadbasket of America".

West Region U.S. State Facts The western region of the United States is a huge area where a wide range of landforms, , and people can be found. What you will find in the U.S. States that comprise this vast region are some of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S., temperate rainforests stretching from up along the coast to Washington, huge mountains like in , and natural wonders like the stone arches in 's .

The states that make up the Western Region of the U.S

• • New • • • California • • Colorado • Utah • • Washington • • • Interesting Facts about the U.S. States in the West Region

• The western region of the United States is often further broken down into the West Coast Region consisting of the states that border the : Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, and the States: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, , Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. • Parts of what was to become the western states of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado were acquired in 1818 from in the Purchase. • This region has both the least populous state in the United States, which is Wyoming, and the most populous U.S. State, California. • The West Region has numerous large cities. In fact the second largest city in the U.S., which is Los Angeles, is located there. Other large cities include San Diego, California; , California, , Nevada; , Colorado; and Portland, Oregon • The city of Hollywood, California is the center of the industry in the United States. • Numerous Native American tribes have inhabited the western region of the U.S.; living there hundreds of years before white settlers arrived. In fact California has more Indian tribes than any other U.S. state. • The , which passed through several current day western states, was traveled by settlers from the east to the western . • The Transcontinental Railroad connecting the railroad lines in the east to the west coast of the United States was completed in 1869. What once took months, to travel from the east to the west, was reduced to less than a week. The impact on the development of the West was huge. • U.S. Highway Route 66, which stretches from Chicago, Illinois to California was opened in 1926 and resulted in increased and business for the western states. Later in the 20th century several interstate highways were built resulting in even more tourism and business.

U.S. State Facts South Region Generally, the 16 states in the South Region are divided into the , the Southeast states, and the Southwest states.

• List of states in the South Atlantic U.S. o o o o o o o o • List of states in the Southeast of the U.S.

o o Mississippi o o • List of states in the Southwest U.S. o (AK) o Louisiana (LA) o (OK) o (TX) Facts about the South

• cover one-fifth of Florida. Here you can see manatees, alligators, and the Florida panther.

• Memphis, Tennessee is the birthplace of and music.

• The Appalachian Mountains run through Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. These areas were built around mines and steel mills. Today, many of the mines and factories have closed.

• Traditional Southern foods include fried chicken, biscuits, sweet cakes, okra, and collards.

• Some of the country’s best writers have come from the South. Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird about a small town in Alabama.

• The warm climate of the South affords a period of 200–290 frost-free days per year, enabling such profitable crops as tobacco, rice, sugarcane, and cotton to be grown.

• This climate, coupled with abundant rainfall, offered 17th- and 18th-century European settlers a superb opportunity to raise crops for export if an adequate permanent labor supply could be found.

• The Southwest differs from the adjoining Midwest in weather (drier), population (less dense), and ethnicity (strong Spanish-American and Native- American components).

• Outside the cities, the region is a of open spaces, much of which is desert.

• The magnificent is located in this region, as is Monument , the starkly beautiful backdrop for many western movies. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Reservation, home of the most populous American Indian tribe. To the south and east lie dozens of other Indian reservations, including those of the Hopi, Zuni, and Apache tribes.

• Parts of the Southwest once belonged to Mexico. The United States obtained this land following the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. Its Mexican heritage continues to exert a strong influence on the region, which is a convenient place to settle for immigrants from farther south. • The regional population is growing rapidly, with Arizona in particular rivaling the southern states as a destination for retired in search of a warm climate.

• Texas is a large state that boasts , pine , and the , a river that forms its border with Mexico. Its biggest city is Houston with Space Center Houston offers interactive displays engineered by NASA. Austin, the capital, is known for its eclectic music scene.

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