National Council for Geographic Education
Curriculum & Instruction Committee
Geography Club
Submitted by: Steve Pierce
[email protected]
Third Year
First Month Activities
Geography for Life: National Geography Standards
The World in Spatial Terms
Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to
acquire, process, and report information
Standard 3: Howt
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Places and Regions
Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places
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Physical Systems
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Standard 12: The process, patterns, and functions of human settlement
Environment and Society
Standard 14: How human actions modify the physical environment
Standard 15: How physical systems affect human systems
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I. Map Scraps Warm-up
Challenge your map skills and knowledge by identifying the place shown on
each map scrap. Use clues on the map scrap and an atlas to help identify the
place and answer the questions.
II. U. S. State License Plates and Quarters
What can you learn about a state from its license plate and from its quarter in
t
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sstate quarter program? There are usually several geographic
and historic characteristics that are important to the state. See how many of
these characteristics you can identify by examining the license plates and state
quarters. You can also design a coin or license plate for your county, city, or
community.
III. Geo-Questions
Test your knowledge of U. S. states by researching the geo-questions.
National Council for Geographic Education
2007 Geography Club Activities - Third Year - First Month
Page 1 of 6
I. Warm-up Activity: Map Scraps
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other reference materials to answer the questions.
Map Scrap 3-1-1
Map: National Geographic Society
Questions
1. What two countries are shown on this map scrap?
2. What river marks the border between these two countries?
3. What state lies north of the river?
4. What is the highest point and elevation in this state?
5. On which body of water does this state have a coastline?
Map Scrap 3-1-2
Map: National Geographic Society
Questions
1. Which two states are separated by the lake on the map scrap?
2. What are the capital cities of each of these states?
3. Name the lake on the map. What lake system is it part of?
4. What large city lies at the southern end of this lake?
5. What NFL team calls Green Bay home?
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2007 Geography Club Activities - Third Year - First Month
Page 2 of 6
II. Activity: U.S. State License Plates and Quarters
Note to teachers/sponsors: The activities that follow are suggestions. You are
encouraged to adapt them as you need to, so they are useful to the ages and
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use them as springboards to other activities that fit the interests of your students.
Introduction
Both state license plates and quarters from the 50 State Quarters Program contain
geographic and historical information. The images, symbols and words usually
identify several geographic and historic features of the state. In this lesson students
will analyze license plates and state quarters and make note of the images, symbols
and words incorporated in each. Using the charts provided students will classify the
symbols and images and determine their significance.
The U.S. Mint 50 State Quarter Program began in 1999 and will continue through
2008. State quarters are released according to the date of entry into the United
States, with Delaware the first state and Hawaii the last. For this reason, not all state
quarters are available.
Materials
Images of U.S. state license plates
Images or samples of U.S. State quarters
Internet Resources
License Plates
http://www.plateshack.com/platelist.html
State Quarters
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/index.cfm?action=50_state_quarters_program
Procedure
Assign or have students select a state or states to research. Using the Internet sites
above, have the students examine the license plate and state quarter for their
assigned state. Students can record their observations on the Activity Sheet that
accompanies this month’
s activities. Have them be specific, naming the flora and
fauna, landmarks, and other characteristics shown. If students cannot determine a
specific symbol or image, they may need to look up the symbols for that state.
Students should also make note of any written information, such as state slogan,
motto, or Internet URL.
Encourage students to research the geographic and historic meanings of the images
and words used. How do they identify the state? What important person do they
honor?
Once students have completed their research, have them make a presentation to the
class. They should explain the geographic or historic significance of the symbols,
National Council for Geographic Education
2007 Geography Club Activities - Third Year - First Month
Page 3 of 6
images, and words used. Students could prepare a multimedia slide show on state
license plates and/or quarters.
For the regional aspect, have students compare license plates and quarters for states
by region. For example what elements do the quarters and license plates for the New
England states share? What does that tell you about the region?
Finally, have students make their own design of a license plate or quarter for their
county, city, community, or school. Have them explain why they included the
features and characteristics they did.
III. Geo-Questions
Test your knowledge of U.S. States with these Geo-Questions.
1. This state, known as the “
Land of Enchantment”is home to Carlsbad Caverns
National Park and the state capital with the highest elevation. Name the state
and its capital.
2. This state calls itself “
America’
s Dairyland”because it is a leader in dairy
products. Name the state and the two Great Lakes it touches.
3. Name the state and capital that is famous for its potatoes and Rocky Mountain
scenery.
4. Known as “
The First State”this small mid-Atlantic state is a leader in banking
and industry. Name the state and its capital.
5. This “
Cowboy State”has the lowest population of any state. It is home to Devil’
s
Tower National Monument and Yellowstone National Park. Name the state and
its capital.
6. This “
Sunshine State”features a panhandle, keys extending into the Gulf of
Mexico, and many popular theme parks. Name this state and its capital.
7. This “
Show Me State”has an arch commemorating it as the Gateway to the West.
The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers reach their confluence in this state. Name
the state and its capital.
8. This “
Last Frontier”state has the longest coastline of any state. Its flag features
the Big Dipper and the North Star. Name the state and its capital.
9. The “
Lone Star State”was a republic before it became a state. The Alamo is an
important landmark, and Big Bend National Park is located on the Rio Grande.
Name this state and its capital.
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2007 Geography Club Activities - Third Year - First Month
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10. This “
First in Flight”state was the site of the first powered flight by the Wright
Brothers on 1903. It features the highest point east of the Mississippi River in the
Appalachian Mountains. Name the state and this highest point.
11. This “
Silver State”lies in the Great Basin in the western United States. Hoover
Dam lies on the Colorado River and provides hydroelectricity for the lights of its
largest city known for entertainment and casinos. Name the state and its largest
city.
12. This state bills itself as “
Vacationland”
. Most people would identify it with its
rocky coast and lobsters. Name this northeastern-most state and its capital.
13. This “
Golden State”has a long Pacific Coast, a productive Central Valley, and the
scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Name this state and its capital.
14. This “
Land of 10,000 Lakes”features its “
Twin Cities”on the Mississippi River
and a lakeshore on Lake Superior. Name this state and the Twin Cities.
15. This “
Grand Canyon State”features canyons carved by the Colorado River and
the Sonoran Desert. The area around its capital has been one of the fastest
growing regions on the United States. Name this state and its capital.
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2007 Geography Club Activities - Third Year - First Month
Page 5 of 6
ANSWERS
I. Map Scraps
Map 3-1-1
1. United States of America and
Mexico
2. Rio Grande
3. Texas
4. Guadalupe Peak; 8,749 feet
5. Gulf of Mexico
Map 3-1-2
1. Wisconsin and Michigan
2. Madison, Wisconsin and Lansing,
Michigan
3. Lake Michigan; the Great Lakes
4. Chicago
5. Green Bay Packers
III. Geo-Questions
1. State: New Mexico; Capital: Santa
Fe
2. State: Wisconsin; Lake Michigan
and Lake Superior
3. State: Idaho; Capital: Boise
4. State: Delaware; Capital: Dover
5. State: Wyoming; Capital:
Cheyenne
6. State: Florida; Capital: Tallahassee
7. State: Missouri; Capital: Jefferson
City
8. State: Alaska; Capital: Juneau
9. State: Texas; Capital: Austin
10. State: North Carolina; Highest
Point: Mt. Mitchell, 6,684 feet
11. State: Nevada; Largest City: Las
Vegas
12. State: Maine; Capital: Augusta
13. State: California; Capital:
Sacramento
14. State: Minnesota; Twin cities:
Minneapolis and St. Paul, the
capital
15. State: Arizona; Capital: Phoenix
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2007 Geography Club Activities - Third Year - First Month
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