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TAJEY VA USI.2b Teacher Activity
Standard USI.2b
The student will use maps, globes, photographs, pictures, or tables to
describe the location of the geographic regions of North America: Coastal Plain,
ntains, Canadian Shield, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Basin and
tal Range;
Essential Skills
Analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms, water features,
climatic characteristics, and historical events. (USI.1f)
[Activity title] Geographic Regions of North America
Interactive Whiteboard Activity
Lesson Options
The student activity and teacher activity is designed to help students learn
about:
• the geographic regions of North America
• the physical characteristics of these regions
• the relationship between people and their environment at that time
in history
For best results, present this activity on geographic regions in conjunction
with your lesson plan on a particular region. For example, use this activity
when students study:
• how Native American cultures adapted to their environment (pages
16-22)
• how geographic characteristics affected the economy and way of life
during the Colonial era (pages 88-95)
• the physical geography of the Appalachian Mountains and Rocky
Mountains and the historical regions of the Louisiana Territory and
Oregon Country (pages 280-285)
Before beginning the whiteboard activity, review the Student Activity
worksheets with the class. Clear up any misconceptions and answer any
questions. Tell students that the worksheet can serve as a study guide.
Resource
Show the map of North America Geographic Regions on the whiteboard.
Activity
Have students view the map on the whiteboard and answer questions
about the regions and physical characteristics of North America. Examples
of questions are provided below:
When the regions are correctly labeled, have students answer questions
about the regions and physical characteristics of North America. Examples
of questions are provided below:
1. Virginia is part of what region(s)?
Answer: Coastal Plain and Appalachian Mountains
2. What region includes the Great Lakes?
Answer: Interior Lowlands
3. The Coastal Ranges are a series of mountain ranges and fertile valleys.
The Coastal Ranges are bordered to the west by what ocean?
Answer: the Pacific Ocean
4. The ___________ extends into the United States from Canada in the
Great Lakes region.
Answer: Canadian Shield
5. The natural vegetation in this region is grass. In the 1500s, Spanish
explorers first saw vast grasslands, calling them a "sea of grass." What is
the name of this region?
Answer: the Great Plains
Critical Thinking
Comparing and Contrasting Have students compare the geographic
region in which they live with two other regions of North America.
(Students should accurately describe their region and describe the
similarities and differences of it with two other regions.)
Answers to Student Activity
Region
Coastal Plain
Location
B
Appalachian
Mountains
extends from eastern Canada to
western Alabama; west of Coastal
Plain
Physical Characteristics
- broad lowland
- excellent harbors
H
Canadian Shield
D
G
A
west of the Appalachian
Mountains, east of the Great
Plains
west of Interior Lowlands, east of
the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
F
Basin and Range
E
- hundreds of lakes carved by
glaciers
- hills worn by erosion
- many rivers
- broad river valleys
- grassy hills
- grasslands
- flat land, gradually increases in
elevation westward
- high elevations
- rugged mountains
- Continental Divide (determines
the directional flow of rivers)
west of Rocky Mountains, east of
Sierra Nevadas and the Cascades
C
stretch from California to Canada
along Pacific Coast
- rugged mountains
- fertile valleys