1. US1.2 Geography Unit Plan Name: _________________ Teacher:_______________
Essential Can I name and identify the seven continents on a map? 1.2a Questions Can I name and identify the 5 oceans on a map?1.2a
3. Can I name and identify the 8 geographic regions on a map of North America? 1.2b Can I list some of the physical characteristics of each of the 8 geographic regions? 1.2b
5. Can I name and locate the 11 major bodies of water in the United States on a map? 1.2c
6. Can I list some ways bodies of water in the U.S. have supported interaction among
regions and created links to other areas? 1.2c
7. Can I name and identify important physical features (land &water) on a map? 1.2d
8. Can I explain why geographic features are important in United States History? 1.2d
Essential Can I analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms and
Skills water features? 1.2 a,b,c,d
What do I need to know?
***Helpful Tip
A way to remember the 8 regions from west to east.
Can Bob really get ice cream
after church?
Grading Scale
Percentage
Grade
100-90 A
89-87 B+
86-80 B
79-77 C+
Percentage
Grade
76-70 C
69-67 D+
66-60 D
59 and below F

2. US1.2 Geography Essential Knowledge
Standard US1.2a Continents & Oceans
Continents are large land masses surrounded by water.
7 Continents Oceans
-North America Atlantic Ocean -South America -Pacific Ocean -Africa Southern Ocean -Asia Indian Ocean -Australia Arctic Ocean -Antarctica -Europe *** 
***Europe is considered a continent even though it is not entirely surrounded by water. The land mass is frequently called Eurasia.
Standard US1.2b Geographic Regions
Geographic regions have distinct characteristics.  
Coastal Range - Rugged mountains and fertile valleys
2. Basin and Range
- Varying elevations containing isolated mountain
ranges and Death Valley, the lowest point in
North America.
3. Rocky Mountains
- Rugged mountains stretching from Alaska almost
to Mexico; high elevations.
-Contains the Continental Divide, which determines
the directional flow of rivers.
4. Great Plains
- Flat lands that gradually increase in elevation 7. Coastal Plain westward; grasslands Broad lowlands providing many excellent harbors Interior Lowlands
- Rolling flatlands with many rivers, broad valleys, 8. Canadian Shield and grassy hills Wrapped around the Hudson Bay in a
horseshoe shape.
6. Appalachian Mountains Hills worn by erosion and hundreds of
- Old, eroded mountains (oldest mountain range in lakes carved by glaciers. North America.)

3. Standard US1.2c Water Features
The United States has access to numerous and varied bodies of water.
Bodies of water support interaction among regions, from borders, and create links to other areas
What are the major bodies of water in the U.S.?
Oceans: Atlantic, Pacific
Rivers: Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Columbia,
Colorado, Rio Grande,
St. Lawrence River
Lakes: Great Lakes
Gulf: Gulf of Mexico
What are some ways bodies of water in the U.S. have supported interaction among regions and created links to other areas?
Trade
Transportation
Exploration
Settlement
1. Atlantic Ocean- served as a highway for explorers, early settlers, and later immigrants.
2. Pacific Ocean- was an early exploration destination.
3. Gulf of Mexico- Provided the French and Spanish with exploration routes to Mexico and other parts of America.
4. St. Lawrence River- forms part of the northeast border with Canada and connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
5. Ohio River- the gateway to the west.
6.Great Lakes- Inland port cities grew in the Midwest along the 5 lakes.
7. Mississippi and Missouri Rivers- were used to transport farm and industrial products. They were links to the U.S. ports and other parts of the world.
8. Rio Grande- forms the border with Mexico
9. Colorado River- explored by the Spanish
10. Columbia River- explored by Lewis and Clark

4. StandardUS1.2d Geographic Features
It is important to recognize key geographic features on map, diagrams, and/or photographs.
Landforms and water features set the stage for and influence the course of events in U.S. history.
Key geographic features:
Water features
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Tributaries – one body of water flowing into another.
- Gulfs and bays
Land Features
- Mountains - Hills - Plateaus - Plains - Islands- land surrounded by water on ALL sides. (Hawaii) - Peninsulas-land surrounded by water on 3 sides. (Florida)
Geographic Regions are related important to U.S. history for … - patterns of trade - locations of towns and cities - westward (frontier) movement - agricultural and fishing industries

5. Name:_____________________ Date:________________ Objective
US1.2 Geography Unit Test
Name:_____________________ Date:________________
Objective
# of Questions
# of Questions Correct %
Letter
Grade
Retest
1.2a Continents and Oceans
1.2b 8 Geographic Regions
1.2c Water Features
1.2d Physical Features
Total 25
Unit Terms:
I DID use the Unit Plan to study for the test.
I did NOT use the Unit Plan to study for the test.
I DID complete the study guide.
I did NOT complete the study guide.
I DID complete all of my work for the Geography Unit
I did NOT complete all of my work for the Geography Unit
I am eligible to retest.
I am NOT eligible to restest.
Reason:_____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

6. Name:_____________________ Date:________________ Objective
US1.2 Geography Unit Test
Name:_____________________ Date:________________
Objective
# of Questions
# of Questions Correct %
Letter
Grade
Retest
1.2a Continents and Oceans
1.2b 8 Geographic Regions
1.2c Water Features
1.2d Physical Features
Total 25
Unit Terms:
I DID use the Unit Plan to study for the test.
I did NOT use the Unit Plan to study for the test.
I DID complete the study guide.
I did NOT complete the study guide.
I DID complete all of my work for the Geography Unit
I did NOT complete all of my work for the Geography Unit
I am eligible to retest.
I am NOT eligible to retest.
Reason:_____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________