Contents Correlations with National Standards................. v How to use this thematic unit...................... vii Suggestions for Teachers......................... viii reproducible student section Take a Trip! theme song.......................... 12 Midwest Region................................. 13 Southeastern Region............................ 21 Western Region................................ 29 Northeastern Region............................ 37 Anthems...................................... 45 Assessment Sheets............................. 47 Performance Script............................. 51 Play dough recipe............................... 53 appendices Suggested Books.............................. Index......................................... 55 57 CD track order................................. 58 US map with full state names..................... 59
N W S E The Midwest Region 13
ak L e Superior ak L e Michigan ak L e ur H n o Topeka Bismarck Pierre Lincoln Moines Des Paul St. Lansing Madison City Jefferson Springfield Indianapolis Columbus KS ND SD NE MN IA MO IL WI IN OH MI 1 5 10 2 3 4 8 6 7 9 11 12 14 N E S W
Overview The is made up of the following states: Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. It is most noted for the Great Lakes that surround the state of Michigan and the Great Plains found in Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota and Iowa. The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Climate The surrounding the Great Lakes has cold winters and warm summers. A part of the Temperate Deciduous Forest biome, it has animals and plants that adapt to the changing of the four seasons. The Plains area is part of the Temperate Grasslands biome with very cold winters and very hot summers. Natural Resources and Products The is known for its agriculture (wheat, soybeans and corn) as well as its auto and cereal industry. Landmarks/Places of Interest The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is an arch 630 feet high. You can also visit the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois, or watch a car being built on an assembly line in Detroit, Michigan. Race fans head to Indianapolis, Indiana to watch the Indy 500 race. South Dakota has two interesting places to visit: the Badlands and Mount Rushmore. Major Cities Major cities in this region are Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis. 15
Chant North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri Wisconsin and Illinois Michigan, Indiana And O-HI-O! 16
Song The City Blues (American Folk Blues) Cloudy in the West, Looks like rain, I spent all my money on the subway train, In New York City, in New York City, In New York City, you really gotta know your way. I watched the cars move off the assembly line, In Detroit City, in Detroit City, In Detroit City, you really gotta know your way. I looped the loop, I rocked and reeled, I thought the Cubs played ball in Marshall Field, In the Windy City, in the Windy City, In the Windy City, you really gotta know your way. Went a little south, St. Louis (Loo-ee) A piece of Missouri on the Mississippi In old St. Louis, in old St. Louis, In old St. Louis, you really gotta know your way. 17
Song Ama Lama (Ohio Folk Song) Ama lama cooma lama, cooma lama vee-stay. Ama lama cooma lama, cooma lama vee-stay. Oh, no no no no no vee-stay, Eenie meenie gyp-si-lee-nie, Oo ah oo ah mi-lee-nie Atchy patchy coo-mi-latch-y I mean you! 18
1) 2) Midwest N ame: Date : Region N W S Write the name of each state within the proper boundaries. Draw a star where the capital each state is located and label of it. E 19
Region Assessment Midwest Region Assessment Name: Date: 1. Name two characteristics of the climate in the Midwest Region. 2. What are two natural resources or products found in this region? 3. Name two landmarks or places of interest found in the Midwest. 4. Name two major cities found in this region. 5. Name one state and its capital in this region. A) It had big skyscrapers B) It was perfect for farming C) It was near water D) None of these reasons 7. A tourist would most likely participate in sailing and boating in which city? B) Madison C) Indianapolis D) Chicago. 8. Why is the Midwest climate good for farming? A) The cold climate helps plants to grow. B) The soil is moist most of the time. C) The growing season is long enough to allow plant growth. D) B & C 20
CD track order track # track # Song title with lyrics as instrumental Theme Song: Take A Trip! Midwest Chant Ama Lama The City Blues Southeastern Song Cotton-Eyed Joe Mama Don t Low 7 Western Song Pat Works on the Railroad Old Dan Tucker Northeastern Song Going to Boston Cape Cod Chantey Star Spangled Banner America the Beautiful America 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 --- 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 58 CD track order