Regions of the USA

Introduction
In fourth grade we learned that Virginia is divided into 5 regions.  Each region has similarities that makes it different from the other regions.  If someone visited you from out of state, you probably would want to tell them about the different regions and what makes each one so special.  Imagine that you had someone visiting from another country.  What would you tell them about the United States?

Task
Your job as a member of your group is to design a presentation for these visitors to show them what the United States is like and the 8 regions that are part of it.

Process
1. You will be given 2 weeks to complete the presentation. Please work cooperatively with your group. You will share the responsibilities of being a 'researcher' and a 'recorder'. Take notes carefully, completely and accurately!

2.  Each member of the group is responsible for looking up information.  You need to break the 8 regions in two groups.  Two of the students in the group will be responsible for one group (4 regions) and the other two students will be responsible for the other group (other 4 regions).

3.  Fill out the data sheet with the information.  Make sure you are answering the following questions when you search.
    Where is the region located?
    What land and water features are found in the region?
    What are some interesting facts about this region?
    What types of plants and animals are found in this region

4. Make sure you save some pictures from the different regions in your group's folder.

5. Design your layout for your PowerPoint presentation.  Use the template and the storyboard to design your presentation. Your requirements for the PowerPoint presentation are on the template form. Follow those guidelines.

6. Your next step will be to present your project to your classroom teacher and classmates.
 
 

Resources(Don't forget your Social Studies book, encyclopedia, almanacs, and other resources can be used)

Coastal plain   Appalachian Mts    Canadian Shield    Interior lowlands   Great Plains    Rocky Mts    Basin and Ridge   Coastal Range

National Geographic site
http://onestop.nationalgeographic.com/onestop/results.tmpl
Great site for finding pictures from different places within the United States

Atlapedia Online
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/unitedst.htm
Text-rich site on the regions of the United States.
 
 

Coastal Plain information

US Department of Agriculture
http://www.fs.fed.us/land/pubs/ecoregions/ch21.html
Links to various parts of the coastal plain.  Somewhat difficult to read.

Appalachian Mountains information

Department of Agriculture
http://www.fs.fed.us/land/pubs/ecoregions/ch18.html

Mountain Explorer
http://www.peakbagger.com/range/appalac.htm
Among the world's mountain ranges, the Appalachian Mountains are thoroughly undistinguished.

US Physical Geography
http://www.1upinfo.com/encyclopedia/A/AppalachMt.html
Website contains information on mountains and links to other information.

Peakware World Mountain Encyclopedia
http://www.peakware.com/encyclopedia/ranges/appalachian.htm
Good site for finding information on the mountains.

Canadian Shield information

Canadian Shield Facts
http://talmud.epsb.ca/regions/north/lz/csi/csi.html
Find out about the soil type, landforms, and vegetation of this area around Hudson Bay in Canada and the US. Includes photos.

Canadian Shield Photos
http://www.peel.edu.on.ca/~centralpeel/DEPART/Geography/canadian/Physical/landformregions/canadian_shield_pictures.htm
Check out these photos of this Canadian region.

Northern Canadian Shield taiga
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/na/na0612.html
Check out the WWF's profile on the taiga of the Canadian Shield. Discover facts about brown lemmings.

Interior lowlands information
 
 

Great plains information.

Great Plains, U.S. Physical Geography
http://www.1upinfo.com/encyclopedia/G/GreatPla.html
Entry on region with links to more information.
 
 

Rocky Mountain information

Encyclopedia.com website
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/R/RockyM1ts.asp
Entry on Rocky Mountains.

Rocky Mountain info
http://www.1upinfo.com/encyclopedia/R/RockyMts.html
Website contains information and links on the Rocky Mountains.

Great Basin, or Basin and Range Region, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cletheroe/usa_can/usa/grbasin.htm
Information on region with links to define words.

Basin and Ridge information
 
 

Coast Ranges, U.S. Physical Geography
http://www.1upinfo.com/encyclopedia/C/CoastRan.html
Entry on Coast Ranges.

Coastal Range information
 

Conclusion
You and your classmates will get the opportunity to watch the PowerPoint presentations that have been created by your entire class. While watching your fellow classmates presentation, you will be asked to fill out the 'Summary Form'. It will be kept in your folder until everyone has presented their project. Please write neatly and fill out the heading too.

Evaluation:
Your next job is to take a look at the following Rubric and evaluate how well you think you did on this project.  The rubric can be done with your group and when you are done please give back to your teacher.