Unit IV: The U.S.A. & Canada
North America is the northern continent of the Americas situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean; South America lies to the southeast of the continent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America
North America is the northern continent of the Americas situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean; South America lies to the southeast of the continent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America
UNIT IV: United States and Canada
Overview:
Unit IV begins with a brief look at the names and locations of the major indigenous populations in North America to help the learner
understand that people were present in the region prior to European exploration and colonization. Next, students will learn about the
competing settlement and economic interests of France and England in North America. The effects of geography on each country is
then explored as the student learns about both physical and political boundaries. The final focus is on contemporary issues including
how and why people modify the natural environment, political and economic systems, how the United States became a pluralistic
society, and those factors that unify and/or divide the people of the North American region.
Enduring Understandings:
● Regions are defined by unifying characteristics.
● The physical environment affects the settlement and population patterns of a region.
● Economic and political systems develop and evolve over time.
● People modify their natural environment to meet their needs.
● Factors contribute to the cooperation and conflict among people in individual nations and in a region as a whole.
Essential Questions:
● Who were the indigenous people and where did they live in North America?
● How has geography influenced the settlement and population patterns of Canada and the United States?
● Which European countries influenced the development of Canada and the United States and how did these nations gained
independence?
● How are the Federal forms of government of Canada and the United States similar?
● How has the history of Canada influenced the cultural elements of modern society?
● How did immigration result in a diverse American culture?
● What current issues have led to unity or division in the relationship between Canada and the United States?
Overview:
Unit IV begins with a brief look at the names and locations of the major indigenous populations in North America to help the learner
understand that people were present in the region prior to European exploration and colonization. Next, students will learn about the
competing settlement and economic interests of France and England in North America. The effects of geography on each country is
then explored as the student learns about both physical and political boundaries. The final focus is on contemporary issues including
how and why people modify the natural environment, political and economic systems, how the United States became a pluralistic
society, and those factors that unify and/or divide the people of the North American region.
Enduring Understandings:
● Regions are defined by unifying characteristics.
● The physical environment affects the settlement and population patterns of a region.
● Economic and political systems develop and evolve over time.
● People modify their natural environment to meet their needs.
● Factors contribute to the cooperation and conflict among people in individual nations and in a region as a whole.
Essential Questions:
● Who were the indigenous people and where did they live in North America?
● How has geography influenced the settlement and population patterns of Canada and the United States?
● Which European countries influenced the development of Canada and the United States and how did these nations gained
independence?
● How are the Federal forms of government of Canada and the United States similar?
● How has the history of Canada influenced the cultural elements of modern society?
● How did immigration result in a diverse American culture?
● What current issues have led to unity or division in the relationship between Canada and the United States?