Social Studies - Regions of the USA: Exploring the Midwest
In this 8 week semester course, students will learn about the geography, history, economy, culture, and significant features of the Midwest region of the U.S.A (Great for Homeschool and Middle School).
Dalen A.
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What's included
8 live meetings
6 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
Students will conduct a detailed research project on a chosen Midwest state. This project includes a written report or a google slide presentation. It will be completed over several weeks and presented in class. To ensure that every student is fully engaged with the course content and has multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and skills, this research project is required for all students. If your learner cannot complete this for any reason, please let me know ahead of time. Thank you.Assessment
Weekly informal assessments for will be done through short quizzes, games, map exercises. This will ensure that students are understanding the material, developing critical thinking skills, and making connections between the concepts taught.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 7
Welcome to America's Heartland! This 8-week semester course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Midwest region of the United States. The states covered in the course are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. While the course will not cover each of the 12 states individually, it will approach the Midwest as an interconnected region, highlighting common themes and significant contributions. Through a combination of different instructional methods (including interactive lectures, group discussions, and multimedia presentations) students will explore the states and major cities of the Midwest, key geographical features, economic activities & major industries and more. My teaching style is engaging and interactive. Making all students feel comfortable in class is a priority to me, therefore I encourage students ask questions and share their thoughts and opinions respectfully at all times. I like to foster inquiry-based learning habits by encouraging learners to actively participate in their learning. I look forward to having your learner in my classroom!
Learning Goals
By the end of the course, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the Midwest, including its geography, history, economy, culture, and significant contributions. They will be able to analyze how these elements interact to shape the identity and significance of the Midwest within the broader context of the United States.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to the Midwest states
Student will explore the states that make up the Midwest Region and their physical geography. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Early history and European settlement
Students will learn about the indigenous cultures of the Midwest and early European exploration 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Westward expansion and the growth of cities Geography of the Midwest
Students will analyze the impact of westward expansion on the development of the midwest. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Culture & Society
Students will explore the rich cultural traditions of the Midwest, including music and food. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
1. This class may use blooket for reviewing the lesson. This are fun, gamified learning platform that enables students to review class material by answering questions in a quiz-style format. Students do not need an account or additional device to play the game. I will send a direct link to the game where the student clicks and joins the game directly.
2. The class also utilizes google earth (via screen share) for an interactive exploration of some of the places we learn about.
3. Padlet for discussion questions.
4. Video content is from Youtube (learners will watch no more than 2 minutes). Content is age appropriate and will be screen shared. Learners will not go onto any external websites.
Supply List
I encourage students bring a map of the United States to class. A resource packet will be provided in the classroom for students to print off.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Univeersity of Ghana
Bachelor's Degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
I hold a BA in Sociology and Social Work and MPhil in Sociology. I'm currently working towards an MA in Education. I love and enjoy teaching the Social Sciences: sociology, geography, history, economics, and the foundations of social science research. My journey in the social sciences began with a fascination for maps and a curiosity about different regions of the world.
For me, teaching young learners about Geography and other Social studies related classes on Outschool is not just about providing information; it's about inspiring a lifelong love for learning and a deeper appreciation for the world we live in. I am excited to share my passion for the social sciences with my students and guide them on their journey to becoming informed, thoughtful, and engaged global citizens.Reviews
Live Group Course
$144
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
3-11 learners per class
