Around the USA with Mr. Clark
Each week we journey to a different state in the USA while learning about cool people, places, and things that make America.
Clark Vandeventer
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(653)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekAssessment
We end class each week with our "Time to Climb" quiz on Nearpod. There is also a weekly worksheet you can fill in each week to use as a work sample.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Each week we travel to a new destination in the United States. We learn about a new place as if we were planning a trip to that location. What's New York like? What would we want to see if we went to California? Should we be worried about aligators if we go to Florida? How was the Grand Canyon formed in Arizona? This is an interactive class and a fun way to learn about the 50 states. We also use a program in this class called "Nearpod" where you'll be able to enter VR to tour the places we are visiting. The VR is super cool and Nearpod also allows us to do polls and contests during class. Each week before we "depart for our destination", we start with some basic questions. What region of the United States are we traveling to? What is the climate at different times of the year? When was the state founded and what are the major cities? What is the capital? What are the 5 largest cities in the state and can we find them on the map? What are the major freeways and interstates that cross through the state? What's the state bird? What will we want to see while we are there, and why or how have these sites become important? Who are some important figures in the history of this destination? What are natural wonders unique to this area and what wildlife might we expect to see? What are we going to eat? What foods are customary? What do we want to make sure we don't miss? This is an interactive class. Student are invited to participate and make suggestions on what they want to do, see, learn about. I spend a significant amount of time preparing for each class, but we'll do Google searches during class to look up certain things along the way if a student poses a question I don't know the answer to. I am their guide and their leader on our journey around the United States! After we cover some basic facts and geography, each week class is divided into three sections. 1. People 2. Places 3. Things Who are some people we want to learn about from this state? What are some places we would want to visit? What are some things about the state that help make that state unique? Class ends each week with a Time to Climb Contest on Nearpod. This class is modeled after my wildly popular class Around the World with Mr. Clark. This class is almost identical to that class. In Around the World we go to a different country each week. In Around the USA we travel to a different state each week. As of September 18, 2023, we are doing the States of the US in the order of their admission to the Union: Week of Septmber 18: Delaware Week of September 25: Pennsylvania Week of October 2: New Jersey Week of October 9: Georgia Week of October 16: Connecticut Week of Octber 23: Massachusetts Week of October 30: Maryland Week of November 6: South Carolina Week of November 13: New Hampshire .... you can review the list of States in order of admission at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_date_of_admission_to_the_Union ... you can also message me at anytime if you would like an update on where we are in the USA
Learning Goals
Students will develop an understanding of the geography of the United States, key events and people who helped create the unique culture of that state, and basic facts about each individual state. Yes, we should learn that the state bird of Indiana is the cardinal, but how could we talk about Indiana and not talk about basketball! We should learn about the Alamo in Texas, but also about BBQ!
In each weekly class, students will learn key:
1. People
2. Places
3. Things
Over time, as pieces come together, they'll develop a tremendous bank of knowledge in the field of social studies as it relates to American History.
This is a true social studies course in how it is interdisciplinary. We cover geography, history, culture, religion, political structures, natural wonders and wildlife, foods. What would you want to do if you went to New York City or the Painted Desert or Chicago's Millennium Park?
Additionally, a goal with this class is to inspire a love for different places and cultures around the world and to encourage a curiosity to explore and learn about the world.
The facts we learn each week are cool, and valuable. However, the real value is in the perspective gained over time as students are exposed to a variety of places around the United States
This class is modeled after my very popular ongoing class Around the World with Mr. Clark.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We use an Outschool approved third party program with this class called Nearpod. Students will be sent a link and code to login to Nearpod each week prior to joining class on Zoom. This will allow students to see VR of places we are discussing in class, participate in polls, and participate in our Time to Climb quiz contest at the end of each class.
Supply List
Worksheet provided that students can fill in each week (optional). Students should login to Nearpod every week before coming to class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined December, 2019
4.8
653reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
We live in a big and fascinating world and one of my goals with my classes is to help kids develop an interest and appreciation for the world around them and different cultures. My classes draw from my own experiences as a world traveler. I've visited and lived abroad in twenty-two countries -- and I have been to 49 of the US States! Much of what we do in my classes is the same type of research I would do on a destination before I would travel to a new place. I'm also the former deputy director of the historic home of President Ronald Reagan and in 2010 was a candidate for United States Congress and have a degree in political science from Indiana Wesleyan University.Reviews
Live Group Class
$13
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 58 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
6-16 learners per class
