Books in Exploring America's Regions series

Including the ancient Lehman caves and the hot, dry expanse of Death Valley, the Great Basin region has many natural wonders for visitors to explore. Salt Lake City, Utah, and old mining towns offer even more cool things to do. This book invites readers along Interstate 80 into the Great Basin with fascinating fact boxes, colorful photographs, and awesome historical content. Detailed descriptions of the diverse landscape and destinations will engage any reader looking to plan a great road trip!

The Mid-Atlantic region includes some of the most iconic and well-known places within the United States, such as the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Exploring the Mid-Atlantic examines the features that make this region unique, including its geography, history, biology, industries, and diverse cultures. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

On a road trip through the Midwest, travelers can experience the best of urban and rural living. The bright lights and bustle of Chicago, Illinois, and the beautiful rolling hills of the Great Plains are both something to enjoy. This book introduces readers to the history, culture, and geography of the American Midwest. With vivid images of the many exciting places to visit, it will engage readers with a fun format and descriptive content. Fact boxes highlight possible pit stops and expand on the main content, while maps help readers navigate the Great Lakes, Badlands, and all around the heartland!

Exploring America in the 1960s: Our Voices Will Be Heard is an interdisciplinary humanities unit that looks at literature, art, and music of the 1960s to provide an understanding of how those living through the decade experienced and felt about the many social changes taking place around them. Through the lens of "identity," it explores why these changes occurred and lends an ear to the voices of the groups that clamored for them. Cultural icons like the Kennedys, the Beatles, Andy Warhol, and the Beach Boys are examined alongside larger issues such as the Civil Rights and women's rights movements and the Vietnam War. The unit uses field-tested instructional strategies for language arts and social studies from The College of William and Mary, as well as new strategies, and it includes graphic organizers and other learning tools. It can be used to complement a social studies or language arts curriculum or as standalone material in a gifted program.

Exploring America in the 1980s: Living in the Material World is an interdisciplinary humanities unit that looks at literature, art, and music of the 1980s to provide an understanding of how those living through the decade experienced and felt about the many social changes taking place around them. Through the lens of "identity," it explores why these changes occurred and lends an ear to the voices of the groups that clamored for them. Cultural icons like Madonna and Bill Cosby are examined alongside larger issues such as the end of the Cold War and a changing economic and political identity. The unit uses field-tested instructional strategies for language arts and social studies from The College of William and Mary, as well as new strategies, and it includes graphic organizers and other learning tools. It can be used to complement a social studies or language arts curriculum or as standalone material in a gifted program.

Exploring America in the 1950s: Beneath the Formica is an interdisciplinary humanities unit for grades 6-8 that looks at literature, art, and music of the 1950s to provide an understanding of how those living through the decade experienced and felt about the world around them. Through the lens of "identity," it explores life in America and the myriad groups that coexisted in harmony and, often, with friction. Cultural icons like Elvis and the Beat poets are examined alongside larger issues such as the Cold War, conformity, and Civil Rights struggles. The unit uses field-tested instructional strategies for language arts and social studies from William & Mary, as well as new strategies, and it includes graphic organizers and other tools for analyzing primary sources. It can be used to complement a social studies or language arts curriculum or as standalone material in a gifted program.Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented 2014 Legacy Book Award Winner - Curricular

Exploring America in the 1980s: Living in the Material World is an interdisciplinary humanities unit that looks at literature, art, and music of the 1980s to provide an understanding of how those living through the decade experienced and felt about the many social changes taking place around them. Through the lens of "identity," it explores why these changes occurred and lends an ear to the voices of the groups that clamored for them. Cultural icons like Madonna and Bill Cosby are examined alongside larger issues such as the end of the Cold War and a changing economic and political identity. The unit uses field-tested instructional strategies for language arts and social studies from The College of William and Mary, as well as new strategies, and it includes graphic organizers and other learning tools. It can be used to complement a social studies or language arts curriculum or as standalone material in a gifted program.

Being home to New York City, the most populous city in the United States, is just one claim to fame of the Northeast region. These states boast beautiful Atlantic coasts, picturesque views from the towering ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, and historic sites directly tied to the founding of the nation. Readers explore the regions fun and fascinating destinations in this book. With detailed locale descriptions, historical tidbits, and great side-trip suggestions, the content introduces readers to the great Northeast. Fact boxes and colorful photographs will persuade readers to hop in the car and really take a trip!

The culture of the American Southwest blends Native American, Spanish, and Mexican traditions with a dash of US spiceand not just in the food! Readers will take a road trip across this unique US region through colorful photographs and cool destination recommendations. An introduction to the major geographic features and the region's big, bustling cities will engage readers as well as augment information learned in the classroom. Fact boxes add even more exciting trivia about one of the fastest-growing US regions!

Exploring America in the 1970s: Celebrating the Self is an interdisciplinary humanities unit that looks at literature, art, and music of the 1970s to provide an understanding of how those living through the decade experienced and felt about the world around them. Through the lens of "identity," it explores life in America and the myriad groups that coexisted in harmony and, often, with friction. Cultural movements like disco and the punk are examined alongside larger issues such as Watergate, post-Vietnam stagflation, and the birth of the women's liberation, Chicano, and gay pride movements. The unit uses field-tested instructional strategies for language arts and social studies from The College of William and Mary, as well as new strategies, and it includes graphic organizers and other tools for analyzing primary sources. It can be used to complement a social studies or language arts curriculum or as standalone material in a gifted program.

The rich culture of the southeastern United States boasts great food, bustling cities, and the top-notch music scenes of Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans. Historically, the region played a big role in the formation of the nation we know today. Readers will take a trip through full-color photographs and detailed content to learn all about the fascinating places found in the Southeast. Fact boxes highlight cool places to check out on a road trip, while the main content complements regional topics within the social studies curriculum. With the beauty of the Appalachians and the draw of ocean beaches, the Southeast will engage readers and make them eager to travel to this growing area of the country.