United States Geography and Landmarks for Middle Grades | Spring

The United States is a big country, full of natural wonders and historic monuments. We often learn a lot about the region in which we live, but few of us have the privilege of traveling throughout the entire country. In this semester-long geography survey course, students will encounter many of the features that make the United States unique, as well as memorize the capital city of each state, learn to draw the US map for themselves, and create a book featuring each of the 50 states! We will explore the diverse regions of the country, familiarizing ourselves with famous landmarks, discovering the wonders of the National Parks, and encountering what makes different regions and states distinct. We will also touch on various aspects of American history as it relates to the growth and development of the nation. Students will complete several projects, including a creative rendition of the American flag, an artistic rendering of one of our country’s landmarks, and a presentation about their own home state. My hope is that this course will kindle an interest in the parts of the country (and the world at large!) that students have not yet had the opportunity to experience, cultivating both an appreciation for the Creator and His creation and a heart for adventure!

Quarter 3

1. Drawing US Map
2. Eastern & Northern State Capitals
3. Origin Story (how current map came to be)
4. Geographical Features
5. National Parks
6. US Flag
7.  Home State
8. State Book Project, 1st half

Quarter 4

1. Drawing US Map
2. Middle & Southern State Capitals
3. Famous Landmarks 
4. Regional Distinctives
5. Time Zones
6. Landmark
7. Wish List
8. State Book Project, 2nd half

• Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.
• High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm
• Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:
  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.
• Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.