This article describes the characteristics that distinguish South Carolina from other regions such as it is one of the original 13 colonies. South Carolina was first formed in 1729 when the Carolina colony was divided in two to form North and South Carolina. The attack on Fort Sumter in the Charleston harbor launched the Civil War. Click on links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish South Dakota from other regions. South Dakota is mainly a rural state and it is known for two monumental sculptures carved into the Black Hills--Mount Rushmore, which honors presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, and the Crazy Horse Monument, which honors the Oglala Sioux war chief. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Tennessee from other regions. Called the "Volunteer State," Tennessee became the 16th state of the Union in 1796. It was the first territory admitted as a state under the federal Constitution. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Texas from other regions. Although it has a wild, frontier history, today Texas is a major producer of oil and has important centers of industry and finance. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Utah from other regions. Utah began when Brigham Young led a group of Mormon pilgrims seeking freedom from religious persecution into the Great Salt Lake Valley, where they established a settlement in 1847. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Vermont from other regions. Some of Vermont's major industries are dairy farming and tourism. One of the most picturesque states, Vermont has millions of visitors each year who come to see the leaves turn colors in the fall and the snow-covered mountains in the winter.Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Virginia from other regions. Virginia holds an important place in American history, as it was home to many of the founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, and Patrick Henry. Four of America's first five presidents were Virginians. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Washington state from other regions such as its coastal location and mountain ranges.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Washington D.C. from other regions. In 1790, Congress chose the District of Columbia as the permanent seat of government. Washington, D.C., was originally carved out of land transferred from Maryland and Virginia (Virginia's portion south of the river was returned to that state in 1846). Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish West Virginia from other regions. For a long time, West Virginia was a leading producer of coal in North America, but many people left to pursue better employment opportunities. That trend has turned around, and now the state's economy is in a more stable condition. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Wisconsin from other regions. It was formed in 1836 and was admitted into the Union as the 30th state in 1848. Wisconsin is one of the top producers of milk, cheese, and butter in the country. Click on the links for additional information.

This article describes the characteristics that distinguish Wyoming from other regions. Wyoming was admitted as the 44th state in 1890. The constitution of the "Equality State" was the first in the world to grant voting rights to women. Wyoming was also the first state to elect a woman governor. Click on the links for additional information.

Students can learn about the Fur Trade surrounding Fort Union in Montana during the 19th Century. They will learn about the economic impact and the relations between the whites and the Native Americans.

This resource reviews the Pilgrim's initial landing being on the tip of Cape Cod and the impact that this sandy environment had on their movement. Also, as the last continental ice sheets melted away, the water returned to the ocean basins and the sea level rose drowning the land. The impact of the Great ice Age and varied glacial stages, helped to define this region.

In this lesson, students review the types of communities, examine physical and human characteristics of place, and compare the characteristics of communities.

Students explore the characteristics of the physical environment of communities, including their own community, in order to describe and explain variations in the physical environment, including climate, landforms, natural resources, and natural hazards. They also explore these characteristics to identify and compare how people in different communities adapt to the physical environment in which they live. Students also look at excerpts from the journals of Christopher Columbus, whose journeys “opened”the New World to further exploration and settlement, to see how he described the physical environment of the islands where he landed.

In these videos, artifacts from the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site collection are featured with clues about their purpose. Students try to solve the History Mystery before the answer is revealed.

Students will have a choice in their level of engagement with holidays around the world.

This is a chart used to record the elements of culture found within the various versions of Cinderella, or any other text.  I used this for my second grade students during our Culture Unit/How We Express Ourselves PYP Unit.  

This is a Bubble Map used to record the elements of culture found within different texts/ media. Credit to: Amity Davis