Public learning track
The Southwest: Borderlands, History, and Geography
11 lessons
Goal
Locate the Southwestern states, analyze their transition from Mexican territory to U.S. statehood, celebrate diverse cultural heritages, examine environmental challenges, and construct a regional map.
11 lessons
0 of 11 done
- Locating the Four Southwestern StatesUp next
- Statehood Timeline of the Southwest: 1845 to 1912Not started yet
- When the Southwest Was Mexico: Texas Independence and the Republic of TexasNot started yet
- The Mexican-American War and the Cession of New Mexico and ArizonaNot started yet
- Indigenous Nations of the Southwest: Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, and ComancheNot started yet
- Spanish and Mexican Cultural Heritage in the SouthwestNot started yet
- African American Pioneers, Buffalo Soldiers, and Immigrants in the SouthwestNot started yet
- Natural Disasters in the Southwest: Gulf Coast Hurricanes and Severe DroughtNot started yet
- Flash Floods, Extreme Heat, and Disaster Preparedness in the SouthwestNot started yet
- Native Reservations and Historic Settlements in the SouthwestNot started yet
- Mapping a Southwestern State: Physical Features, Climate, and SettlementsNot started yet
Standards Covered
- 4.T4d.1Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5On a political map of the United States, locate the states in the Southwest; add to the timeline the admission dates for states in the Southwest (listed alphabetically, Arizona-1912, New Mexico-1912, Oklahoma-1907, and Texas-1845).
- 4.T4d.2Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5Explain that Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico were territories that formerly belonged to Mexico; that Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836, and that Arizona and New Mexico were taken by the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War 1846-1848.
- 4.T4d.3Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5Describe the diverse cultural nature of the region, including contributions of Native Peoples (e.g., Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, Comanche), African Americans, Europeans (e.g., the Spanish in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico), Mexicans, and immigrant groups from other regions of the world settling in the region over time.
- 4.T4d.4Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5Explain how natural disasters, such as hurricanes and drought, have affected the region, and how government and citizens have responded to catastrophic natural events.
- 4.T4d.5Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5Using resources such as print and online atlases, historical sources, or state websites, construct a map of a state in the Southwest region that provides information about physical features (e.g., waterways and mountains), climate, settlements and movements of Native Peoples (including current reservation lands), European exploration and pioneer settlements of the 17th-19th centuries and that includes a title, scale, compass, and map key.
Curriculum Framework
3rd Grade · Social Studies · US-MA-SS
1
8 lessons
Geography and Physical Landforms of North America
Identify and locate the major landforms, bodies of water, and physical regions of North America using map skills and geographic tools.
2
9 lessons
Political Geography and Neighbors of North America
Distinguish between continents, countries, states, provinces, and cities while investigating Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations.
3
9 lessons
Ancient Civilizations and Archaeology in North America
Evaluate theories of human migration to the Americas, examine archaeological methods, and analyze ancient indigenous civilizations and heritage sites.
4
10 lessons
Early European Exploration and Atlantic Encounters
Analyze primary sources to trace 15th- and 16th-century European voyages, conquests, motives, and early interactions with Indigenous nations.
5
10 lessons
Westward Expansion and Territorial Growth of the United States
Explain how transportation innovations, territorial acquisitions, and pioneer migrations expanded the United States from 1791 to 1898.
6
7 lessons
Migration, Labor, and the Division Over Slavery
Examine voluntary and forced migrations to the United States and analyze how conflicts over slavery's western expansion led to the Civil War.
7
10 lessons
The Northeast Region: Geography, Statehood, and Society
Locate Northeastern states and capitals, construct regional maps, trace statehood timelines, and examine human-environment adaptation and cultural diversity.
8
10 lessons
The Southeast Region: Geography, People, and Environment
Locate Southeastern states and Caribbean territories, analyze cultural diversity, examine natural disasters, and map state features.
9
7 lessons
Washington, D.C.: The Nation's Capital and Civic Life
Describe the role of Washington, D.C. as the national capital and explore its landmark institutions, monuments, and civic significance.
10
11 lessons
The Midwest: Geography, History, and Culture
Locate the twelve Midwestern states, explain their statehood timeline, analyze regional cultural diversity, understand responses to natural disasters, and construct a detailed thematic state map.
11
11 lessons
The Southwest: Borderlands, History, and Geography
Locate the Southwestern states, analyze their transition from Mexican territory to U.S. statehood, celebrate diverse cultural heritages, examine environmental challenges, and construct a regional map.
12
9 lessons
The American West and Pacific: History, Statehood, and Diverse Cultures
Locate Western states and Pacific territories, trace their paths to statehood and territorial acquisition, and examine the diverse cultural communities that shaped the region.
13
4 lessons
The American West: Environment, Hazards, and Landmarks
Examine the environmental hazards of the West, community disaster response, iconic national parks, and physical mapping skills.