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