Making a Mental Map1. Draw an outline map of Canada and the United States. Then draw and label these features where you think
they are located:
the Arctic Circletwo large bodies of water that are not oceansa mountain rangea large riverthe political boundaries of the two countries in the regionpolitical boundaries for any states, provinces, or territories you think you know
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
2. Revise this mental map at the end of the Mapping Lab. Follow these steps to analyze your mental map:
Use one color to highlight or circle at least three details that were correct or fairly accurate.Use another to highlight or circle at least three details that were inaccurate. Correct those items.Use a third to add at least three new items.At least one item should represent information about physical geography, and at least one should representinformation about human geography.
Introducing the Region - Physical GeographyThis video shows a physical feature of this region. What do you want to know about physical geography ofCanada and the United States?
Video available online.
Write some questions you have about physical geography in this region. As you read through the sections onthe physical geography, come back here to add more questions.
ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students may ask: Does climate have an effect on population density? Do Canadaand the United States produce similar crops? What food staples were used during the colonial period for bothcountries? What are some major products the United States and Canada trade amongst each other under NAFTA?
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Section 2 - Climate1. Find two or more sentences with information that is graphically represented on the Climate Zones map.
ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students may choose these sentences from the text:
The northern parts of this landmass fall in tundra and subarctic climate zones.
The climate in the continental United States can vary greatly depending on where you are.
The Southeast has a humid subtropical climate, the Southwest has arid and semiarid climates, The SierraNevada and Rocky mountains have a highlands climate, and most of the Midwest and Northeast have ahumid continental climate.
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Section 4 - Human GeographyThis video shows an example of human activity in this region. What do you want to know about humangeography of Canada and the United States?
Video available online.
Write some questions you have about human geography in this region. As you read through the sections onthe human geography, come back here to add more questions.
ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students may ask: What different ethnic groups are in both Canada and the UnitedStates? What is the predominant religion in both countries?
Section 5 - History1. Find two or more sentences with information that is graphically represented on the timeline.
ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students may choose these sentences from the text:
North American history began when bands of hunters migrated to Alaska from Asia.
Canada was first colonized by the French, but in 1867 they won the right to govern themselves.
Today, Canada and the United States are closely linked by trade and as a result, in 1994, the NorthAmerican Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect.
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Part B: Locate States, Provinces, and Territories in Canada and the United States
Use the coordinates to locate each place. Then, drag the purple labels to the correct spot on the map.
Michigan (45°N, 85°W)British Columbia (55°N, 125°W) New York (43°N, 75°W) Montana (47°N, 110°W) Oregon (45°N, 120°W) Ontario (50°N, 85°W) California (35°N, 120°W) Nunavut (65°N, 100°W) Prince Edward Island (46°N, 63°W) Alberta (55°N, 115°W)
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1. Use the maps to answer the questions. For each question,
write your answer.record the thematic maps you used.
Question Answer Maps Used
1. What is the largest area in Canada andthe United States that is denselypopulated (over 250 people per squaremile)? What are four cities in that area?
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2. In which state in the United States canyou nd all of the following climates:arid, semiarid, Mediterranean,highlands, and marine west coast?
3. Which resource is most abundant inTexas, Alaska, and Alberta? Which stateor province appears to have the most ofthat resource?
4. Which four territories and states haveboth a subarctic and a tundra climateand include land that is both north andsouth of the Arctic Circle?
5. What is the most common type ofvegetation in the central area of southernCanada and the United States? Whichcountry has more land with that type ofvegetation?
6. What types of land use occur alongboth the Paci c Coast and the AtlanticCoast of Canada and the United States?
7. Which ve lakes together make up thelargest body of fresh water in Canada andthe United States?
8. California is the most populated statein this region. Nunavut is the leastpopulated. How do climate andeconomic activity help explain why thisis the case?
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9. Name three states, provinces, orterritories that produce morehydroelectric power than other places inthe region. What physical feature in theseplaces might help explain whyhydroelectric power is a resource there?
10. A farmer grows sugarcane, a crop thatdoes well only in a humid subtropicalclimate with other tropical grasslandvegetation. In his free time, he loves to gosailing on the ocean year-round. Hisfarm is near a densely populated city thatlies on a very large river. Where does thefarmer live? Why do you think so?
ANSWER: 1. Answer: The northeastern coast of the United States is the largest densely populated area in thisregion. It includes Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Maps Used: Population Density
2. Answer: California is the state that has arid, semiarid, Mediterranean, highlands, and marine west coast climates.
Maps Used: Climate Zones
3. Answer: Petroleum (oil) is the resource that is most abundant in Texas, Alaska, and Alberta. Texas appears tohave the most of this resource.
Maps Used: Economic Activity
4. Answer: Alaska, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut all have subarctic and tundra climates andinclude land that is both north and south of the Arctic Circle.
Maps Used: Climate Zone
5. Answer: Temperate grassland is the most common type of vegetation in the central area of southern Canadaand the United States. The United States has more land with temperate grasslands.
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6. Answer: Forestry, trade and manufacturing, commercial farming, and commercial fishing occur along both thePacific and Atlantic coasts of Canada and the United States.
Maps Used: Economic Activity
7. Answer: The Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario) make upthe largest body of fresh water in North America.
Maps Used: Physical Features
8. Answer: California has several mild climate zones, so it is mostly warm year-round. California also has a varietyof economic activities (trade and manufacturing, farming, fishing, and livestock raising). Both factors might attract alarge population. Nunavut, on the other hand, is very cold, with subarctic and tundra climates. There is little work forpeople, since the land is used mainly for hunting and gathering.
Maps Used: Climate Zones, Economic Activity
9. Answer: Most hydroelectric power in Canada and the United States is produced in Washington, British Columbia, and Quebec. All three states and provinces have rivers where dams can be built to produce power.
Maps Used: Physical Features, Economic Activity
10. Answer: The farmer likely lives near New Orleans, which has a humid subtropical climate and tropical grasslandfor growing warm-weather crops like sugarcane. New Orleans is a densely populated city on the Mississippi River,near the Gulf of Mexico, where a person can sail year-round.
Maps Used: Physical Features, Climate Zones, Vegetation Zones, Population Density
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2. What are some supporting questions that can help you find the answer to your compelling question? List onesource where you might find the answer.
Consider using books, encyclopedias, library databases, interviews, biographies, photographs, newspaperstories, or other primary and secondary sources.
Supporting Questions Sources
ANSWER: Answers may vary. Students should use a reputable source.
3. Use the questions and possible sources to guide your research. Record information in the chart below.
Information Source Why this source isreliable
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ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students should record information from a reputable source.
4. Create an argument to answer your compelling question. Cite at least three pieces of evidence from yourresearch. Make sure to use reasoning to support your argument.
ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students should formulate a strong argument and fully support it with evidence fromreputable sources found in their research.
5. How do you want to communicate your findings? You may want to make a presentation to share with yourpeers or adults. You may choose to form a group to help solve the problem.
In the space below, write an outline of the next steps you will take.
ANSWER: Answers will vary. Students may choose to present information in a slideshow or multimediapresentation.
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