Overview and Background: Unit: Regions of the United States

Stephanie Thalmann : Cheney USD 268

Social Studies. : Geography : Geography

Cheney : Grades 4 - 4 : Aug. - Jun.

Title:	Regions of the United States
Topics:	U.S. Geography
Time Frame:
Start Date:	-
Status:	Draft
Date Revised:

Other Designers:

Summary:
This unit will look at the different regions of the United States.

Print Materials Needed:
Harcourt Brace Social Studies. Orlando: Harcourt Brace, 2002.

Resources:

Resource Attachments:	http://www.cheney268.com/4th/USRegions/Regions.htm http://www.cheney268.com/4th/MountainStates/Mountainstates.htm http://www.cheney268.com/4th/States/opening.htm http://www.cheney268.com/4th/States/Regionspage.htm http://www.cheney268.com/4th/Retirement/thalmannretirementservicehotlist.htm
Internet Resource Links: Link 1:http://www.netstate.com/states Link 2:http://www.ipl.org/youth/stateknow/ Link 3:http://www.50states.com/ Link 4:http://www.utah.org/history/HistoryFacts/

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

State:	KS       6
Title:	Social Studies - Geography
Standard(s):	6.1 Identifies and compares the physical characteristics of Kansas and regions of the United States (i.e. location, land and water features, climate, vegetation, resources, Southeast, Northeast, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii.) 6.2 Describes the physical processes that shape the characteristics of regions (e.g. erosion, mountain building, precipitation) 6.3 Identifies and compares the human characteristics of Kansas and regions of the United States (i.e. location, land and water features, climate, vegetation, resources, Southeast, Northeast, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii.) 6.4 Describes the human activities that shape the characteristics of regions (i.e. mining, farming, manufacturing, migration, settlement, road and railroad building).

Understandings:
user	Climate and geographic features influences why people live in a region.

Essential Questions:
User	Why do people live in a certain region? How do geographic and climatic features influence why and where people live in a region?

Knowledge and Skills:

K
Geographic and climatic features of the regions of the U.S.

S
How to write a business letter.

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment Summary:
Students will respond to client letters to the Thalmann Retirement Location Search company, searching for the best match for a place for the customer to retire based on the client's interests and needs.

Task/Prompt: Retirement Locator Service

Type: Performance Task

Topics: U.S. Geography

Summary:
Students will respond to client letters to the Thalmann Retirement Location Search company, searching for the best match for a place for the customer to retire based on the client's interests and needs.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

Notes:

Student Directions:
You are an employee of the Thalmann Retirement Location Search Company. Each day the company receives letters from clients, requesting a search for a retirement location in the United States that best matches their interests and needs. You need to carefully review your client's letter and then conduct a search for an appropriate location for the client. After selecting a state, you need to write a format business-style letter to the client, giving specific details about how the selected state will match their retirement needs. Your letter should thoroughly address the climate and geographic features of the state. It should also be accurate and well-written.

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Learning Activities:

W
KWL chart of what they know about the states.

H
Read fake client letter mailed to the Thalmann Retirement Location Search company, requesting information on the best place to retire.

E
Teaching about each region.
Present lesson on business letter writing.

R
Peer-edit responses to client letters.

E
Students will respond to client letters to the Thalmann Retirement Location Search company, searching for the best match for a place for the customer to retire based on the client's interests and needs.

Notes: