An investigation into the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Students study history, government, economics, society, and culture.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico unit contains 16 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in The United States, Canada, and Mexico Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
United States: Geographic Passport
Students are introduced to the physical geography of the United States. They go on an Internet scavenger hunt to identify physical features of the country. Then they research one of the five regions of the United States, including the climate, population, and natural resources. Next, they create a map and consider the connection between population density and land. Finally, they explore and explain the population density of their own state.
United States: History and Its Influence, Part 1
Students are introduced to the early history of the Native Americans and their treatment by European settlers. Then they explore the causes and effects of both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Finally, students consider the place of Christopher Columbus in American history.
United States: History and Its Influence, Part 2
Students do research to explore four important events and eras in twentieth-century American history. Then, they create a timeline and summary of these events. Next, they choose the event or era that they believe is most influential. Finally, they create a quiz for classmates on the content learned in the experience.
United States: Government
Students are introduced to the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Preamble. Then they explore how the Constitution divides up government power into three branches in the United States. Next, students learn about the history of voting rights in the United States and consider the current state of voting rights. Finally, students research and compare the role of U.S. citizens with that of citizens from another country.
United States: Economy
Students are introduced to the idea that the same product has different value in different economic systems around the world. Then the student learns about the U.S. Federal Reserve System as well as the concepts of inflation and deflation. Next, students explore what it means to be a free enterprise economy and explain how the United States is a mixed economy. Finally, students create an infographic that is designed to inform younger students about the basics of the U.S. economic system.
United States: Society and Culture
Students are introduced to American culture by watching a movie trailer in Spanish. They consider the global influence of American culture. Then they learn about various aspects of American culture, choosing one aspect and researching it to create a presentation. Finally, students predict the future cultural impacts of technology in the United States.
Canada: Geographic Passport
Students are introduced to the physical geography of Canada. They create a geographic passport of the country. Then they identify and compare features of Canada with the United States by creating a map. Finally, students consider how global warming in the Arctic affects the rest of the world.
Canada: History and Its Influence
Students do research to explore four important events and eras in twentieth-century American history. Then, they create a timeline and summary of these events. Next, they choose the event or era that they believe is most influential. Finally, they create a quiz for classmates on the content learned in the experience.
Canada: Society and Culture
In this experience, students explore the composition of Canadian society's ethnic groups and create a pie chart. They read the official Multiculturalism Policy and analyze the pros and cons of a multiculturalist society.
Mexico: Geographic Passport
Students are introduced to the physical geography of Mexico. They create a geographic passport of the country. Then they focus on some of the features of the country that are threatened by human influence on the environment. Students then pick one of these features that they think is important and explain why.
Mexico: History and Its Influence
Students explore the Aztec civilization. They learn about the unique features of Tenochtitlan, the religion, and the social structure. They identify reasons for the fall of the empire, and they summarize the contributions of the Aztec civilization by writing a letter in support of an Aztec Civilization Festival.
Mexico: Government and Economy
Students explore a timeline of significant political events in the development of the Mexican government. They learn about the constitution of 1917 and the form of government created as a result. Then they compare Mexico's government to the U.S. government. Students are introduced to the economy of Mexico and focus on the history of chocolate as part of the economy, past and present. Finally, students consider what it would be like to use an agricultural product as a form of money.
Mexico: Society and Culture
Students learn about two Mexican cultural expressions: the celebration of the Day of the Dead and the artist Frida Kahlo. They explore the cultural aspects of both. Then they research and share other forms of Mexican cultural expression with the group.
