USA Geography - America's Wonders: States, Capitals, and so Much More!

NEW SESSION STARTING in NOVEMBER 2024 - 
Discovering America's Wonders: States, Capitals, and Beyond

Can you name each state on a blank map? 
If not, don't worry; you're not alone! 

Class Highlights:

Interactive Learning
Students are actively engaged through multimedia presentations, music, games, and hands-on activities to enhance the learning experience. 

Each class begins with a catchy tune, adding a fun and memorable element to learning the names and locations of the weekly states. Classes end with a game or closing activity to wrap up what we learned.

Geographical Insight 
Can you identify the New England states or locate Alaska and Hawaii on a globe? Learn to find these "non-contiguous" states where they truly are -  not at the bottom of a page in a box. 

Discover fascinating facts, like how Alaska is only about 55 miles away from Russia, or that the Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world.  (You'll also learn where to dig for dinosaur bones, mine for diamonds that you can keep, and visit the underground Lost Sea, recorded as America’s largest underground lake, in the Guinness Book of World Records.)

Understanding Terms 
Confused between Washington D.C. and Washington state? Unravel the differences between these locations and grasp the meanings of terms like "contiguous" and the distinction between "capital" and "capitol."

Border Exploration 
We'll explore the U.S. border with Canada and learn more about the world's first International Peace Park, the American Falls of Niagara Falls, and the fascinating underwater tunnel connecting the United States and Canada.   

Did you know that four U.S. states share a border with Mexico, and it is one of the longest international borders in the world? Also, have you heard of "sand sledding" and "sandboarding"? Yes, it's a "thing" at the renowned Los Algodones Sand Dunes in California, located about 20-30 minutes from the Mexican border.

Each week we'll uncover hidden gems and lesser-known places within the United States that might be overlooked in traditional classes - such as the stunning sea caves of the Apostle Islands that turn into magical ice sculptures in the winter.  


Engaging Materials 
Receive weekly classroom emails to spark curiosity about upcoming lessons. Access printable materials, including flashcards, charts, maps, and graphic organizers to reinforce daily lessons.  (ANSWER KEYS INCLUDED)  Practice with homework Kahoot and Blooket games to reinforce what we learn in class. 

Create an interactive notebook by following the directions in the Welcome Email or keep materials organized in a folder for each set of states and Great Lakes:
Folder #1 WESTERN STATES
Folder #2 MIDDLE AMERICA
Folder #3 The Great Lakes 
Folder #4 GREAT LAKE STATES
Folder #5 UPPER EAST STATES
Folder #6 LOWER EAST STATES

No background information is needed.  Students are encouraged to join any time as each class is "new" and students are encouraged to use the notes provided in the classroom to encourage participation.

Please read the weekly message in the Outschool classroom and print the suggested handouts before class meets.

**  NEW SEMESTER 2024  ** Will begin upon enrollment
This course has been revised to meet once a week for 50 minutes and will review continuously throughout.  It's a perfect class for new students and beginners who are interested in learning about the states and capitals in a unique, fun way.  Class will rotate and continue as student enrollment remains interested.

WESTERN STATES:   Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico
Introduce the WESTERN STATES verse of the song, explore half the region's states, label flashcards, and map



WESTERN STATES:  A Closer Look & Global Placement REINFORCEMENT GAMES
Second Week Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit  featured state(s)



MIDDLE AMERICA:  North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,  Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana
Introduce the MIDDLE AMERICA verse of the song, explore half the region's states, label flashcards, and map



MIDDLE AMERICA: A Closer Look & Global Placement REINFORCEMENT GAMES
Second Week Focus: reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit  featured state(s)




Review Week:  Review song for WESTERN STATES & MIDDLE AMERICA, practice games & Practice Labeling a Blank Map & Review Games of State Capitals



THE GREAT LAKES:  Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario
Focus - LOCATIONS & Great Lake Facts
Canada & states touching The Great Lakes Review Games


GREAT LAKE STATES:  Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia
Day 1: Introduce the MIDDLE AMERICA verse of the song, explore half the region's states, label flashcards, and map
Day 2: Review verse and state locations, examine remaining states, label flashcards, and map


WASHINGTON, D.C., Potomac River
Great Lakes & GREAT LAKE STATES: A Closer Look & Global Placement REINFORCEMENT GAMES
Day 1 Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit  featured state(s)
Day 2 Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit a featured state(s)


WASHINGTON, D.C., Potomac River, The White House
Day 1 - Review song for WESTERN STATES, MIDDLE AMERICA, GREAT LAKE STATES
Day 2 - Practice Labeling a Blank Map & Review Games of State Capitals

**  SPRING BREAK March 18 - 22


UPPER EAST:  Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Day 1: Introduce the UPPER EAST verse of the song, explore half the region's states, label flashcards, and map
Day 2: Review verse and state locations, examine remaining states, label flashcards, and map

April
UPPER EAST:   A Closer Look & Global Placement REINFORCEMENT GAMES
Day 1 Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit  featured state(s)
Day 2 Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit a featured state(s)


WASHINGTON, D.C., Potomac River, The White House
Day 1 - Review song for WESTERN STATES, MIDDLE AMERICA, GREAT LAKE STATES, UPPER EAST STATES
Day 2 - Practice Labeling a Blank Map & Review Games of State Capitals


LOWER EAST:  Tennessee, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, Alaska
Day 1: Introduce the MIDDLE AMERICA verse of the song, explore half the region's states, label flashcards, and map
Day 2: Review verse and state locations, examine remaining states, label flashcards, and map


LOWER EAST:  A Closer Look & Global Placement REINFORCEMENT GAMES
Day 1 Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit  featured state(s)
Day 2 Focus:  reinforce state locations & names of capitals / visit a featured state(s)


DAY 1 Focus:  Hawaiian Islands; review song
Day 2 Focus:  Alaska; review song


Day 1 Focus:  13 Original Colonies graphic organizer; review song
Day 2 Focus:  13 Original Colonies graphic organizer; review song


Day 1 Focus:  Review Games of 50 states locations, Washington D.C., & state capitals
Day 2 Focus:  Review Games of 50 states locations, Washington D.C., & state capitals


SUMMER CAMP - TBD



-----  STANDARDS -----
Standard: Develop geographic awareness by comprehending the locations of states within the United States and their global positioning, fostering a holistic understanding of the nation's geography and its place in the world.

Student Outcome:
After completing the lessons, students will be able to label a blank map of the United States with confidence. (BONUS:  They may be doing it while singing a catchy tune!)

** Grade-Level Expectations: Standards and objectives related to states, capitals, and world geography can be tailored to specific grade levels. For example, younger students might focus on identifying states and their capitals, while older students may delve deeper into geographic concepts, such as latitude and longitude, geographic features, and the global context.
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We will meet two times per week. Students will have many opportunities to be actively engaged during class and may continue independent learning outside of class with optional activities and practice games that will be posted in the OUTSCHOOL classroom.

Class format:
Activities will be presented through music, visual aids/Google slide presentations, short videos, text, and games to deliver lesson content through all modalities at once. This creates the benefit of increased comprehension and retention and offers a higher-quality learning experience.

Join the class anytime – no prior knowledge is required!

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No prior knowledge is required.  
(When you join, paper and pencil will be handy if you don't have time to print the handouts from the classroom.)

WESTERN STATES:   Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico (Canada / Mexico / Russia)

MIDDLE AMERICA:  North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,  Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana

THE GREAT LAKES:  Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario

GREAT LAKE STATES:  North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,  Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana

UPPER EAST:  Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island

LOWER EAST:  Tennessee, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, Alaska