The Regions of the USA - A (Very Basic) Unit Study

The reason I put this unit study together, is because I failed miserably at our state study.  This is my way of introducing the entire United States in 5 days.

The states in each region vary depending on what site I look at.  I really don't think it matters much at this point, I just wanted to introduce the states on a basic level before we move on to world geography.

Northeast Region (Day 1):

• First, I had the girls label the map with the state and capital names.  
• Then, I read all about the region, here.
• While I read, the girls clipped out pictures from their state travel guides, and made a little collage.
• We watched this video about the Northeast, and this video about weird Northeast points of interest (the second video makes reference to a haunted bridge, and being "stoned" when walking through a stone tunnel). 
• Then, for fun, we made Boston Baked Beans for dinner.  The recipe is at the bottom of the link above.

Southwest Region (Day 2):

• The girls labeled the states and capitals on their region map (I like this site for maps, but this one includes the entire Western side of the US.  I had to put a line through the middle to break it up.  See?
• After that, I read to them about the region while they made collages out of their state travel guides.
• We watched a video about the region.  It's just music and pictures, so it was nice to have on in the background while the girls worked on their collages.
• For dinner, the girls helped make Southwest Chopped Chicken Salad.  Mmmm!

Northwest Region (Day 3):

• We started out by labeling the states and capitals on their region maps (This region is the top half of the map we printed and divided up when we did the Southwest region).
• I read about the region here, while the girls made collages out of state travel guides.
• We watched this super short video about the amazing forests of the Pacific Northwest. (Then we watched a really awesome video about some kids on spring break kayaking in one of the rivers out there. Cool!)
• For our activity, the girls made Native American bracelets using an American Girl kit.

Southern Region (Day 4):

• The girls labeled the states and capitals on their region map
• I read about the Southern states while the girls made collages out of their travel guides.  This link not only has great text for kids, but also a video.  Check them both out here.
• For dinner, the girls helped prepare red beans and rice with sausage, and biscuits

Midwest (Day 5):

• The girls labeled the states and capitals on their region maps
• I read about the Midwest as the girls made collages out of their travel guides.
• They watched this video.  It's old, but REALLY good. 
• For dinner, we made tater tot hotdish and crescent rolls.  A true Minnesota feast ;)

That's it.  Quick and simple.  Well, technically it could simpler by not cooking or crafting, and just doing coloring pages instead.  There's certainly no shortage of free coloring pages on the web!