Exploring America

Discovering Our Beautiful Nation

Grades 2-3

Special Words We Use

Yahuah (YAH-hoo-ah) - Our Creator's name

Yahusha (YAH-hoo-sha) - Our Savior's name

Elohim (El-oh-HEEM) - Another name for our Creator

For Parents/Teachers: This workbook introduces students to the geography of the United States and North America. Each lesson uses the 4Rs framework: Receive (learn), Reflect (think), Recall (remember), and Respond (apply). Read aloud with students and help them with maps and activities.

Lesson 1: Welcome to America!

Psalm 33:12 - "Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is Yahuah."

Our Country

The United States of America is our country! It is a big and beautiful land with:

Did You Know?

The United States is the 3rd largest country in the world by size! Only Russia and Canada are bigger.

Where is America?

America is located:

What Does Our Flag Look Like?

The American flag has:

Receive and Recall

1. The United States has states.

2. America is on the continent of America.

3. The American flag has stars.

4. America is between the Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

Reflect and Respond

  1. What state do you live in?
  2. What do you like about living in America?
  3. Have you ever seen a map of the United States?

Answer Key - Lesson 1

1. 50

2. North

3. 50

4. Atlantic

Lesson 2: Our Neighbors - North America

Luke 10:27 - "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Three Big Countries

North America has three main countries:

Canada

Location: North of the United States

Capital: Ottawa

Special Facts: Very cold winters! Home to moose, bears, and beautiful forests. People speak English and French.

United States

Location: Between Canada and Mexico

Capital: Washington, D.C.

Special Facts: 50 states! Many different climates from hot deserts to snowy mountains.

Mexico

Location: South of the United States

Capital: Mexico City

Special Facts: Warm and sunny! People speak Spanish. Beautiful beaches and ancient pyramids.

Did You Know?

Yahuah made all the people in these countries! We are all part of one human family.

Receive and Recall

1. is north of the United States.

2. is south of the United States.

3. The capital of Canada is .

4. People in Mexico speak .

Match the Country to Its Capital!

Canada Mexico City
United States Ottawa
Mexico Washington, D.C.

Reflect and Respond

  1. Have you ever met someone from Canada or Mexico?
  2. Which country would you like to visit?
  3. How can we be good neighbors to other countries?

Answer Key - Lesson 2

1. Canada

2. Mexico

3. Ottawa

4. Spanish

Matching: Canada-Ottawa, United States-Washington D.C., Mexico-Mexico City

Lesson 3: The Fifty States

Psalm 147:5 - "Great is Yahuah and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."

Our United States

The United States has 50 states! Each state is like a smaller country with:

Two Special States

Two states are not connected to the other 48:

Did You Know?

Alaska is so big that you could fit Texas inside it twice! But Texas has many more people.

Some States to Learn

Let's learn a few states:

Receive and Recall

1. The United States has states.

2. is the biggest state.

3. is made of islands in the Pacific Ocean.

4. is the second biggest state.

Find Your State!

Look at a map of the United States. Can you find:

Reflect and Respond

  1. What is your state called?
  2. What is special about your state?
  3. Would you like to visit Alaska or Hawaii?

Answer Key - Lesson 3

1. 50

2. Alaska

3. Hawaii

4. Texas

Lesson 4: Regions of America - The Northeast

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time."

What is a Region?

A region is a group of states that are near each other and have things in common. The United States has several regions.

The Northeast Region

The Northeast is in the upper right corner of the country. It includes states like:

Northeast Special Features

  • Big cities like New York City and Boston
  • Beautiful fall colors (leaves turn red, orange, yellow)
  • Cold, snowy winters
  • Where the Pilgrims first landed
  • The Statue of Liberty
  • Many old historical buildings

Did You Know?

New York City is the biggest city in America! About 8 million people live there. That's more than many whole states!

Receive and Recall

1. A is a group of states near each other.

2. The Northeast is in the upper corner of America.

3. New York is the biggest city in America.

4. The first landed in the Northeast.

Reflect and Respond

  1. Have you ever been to the Northeast?
  2. Would you like to see the Statue of Liberty?
  3. What would it be like to live where it snows a lot?

Answer Key - Lesson 4

1. region

2. right

3. City

4. Pilgrims

Lesson 5: The Southeast Region

Psalm 104:24 - "How many are your works, Yahuah! In wisdom you made them all."

The Southeast Region

The Southeast is in the bottom right of the country. It includes states like:

Southeast Special Features

  • Warm weather most of the year
  • Beautiful beaches
  • The Appalachian Mountains
  • Swamps with alligators
  • Lots of history from early America
  • Famous Southern food (fried chicken, grits, pecan pie!)

Florida - The Sunshine State

Florida is a special state in the Southeast:

Did You Know?

Florida has more alligators than any other state! About 1.3 million alligators live there. But don't worry - they usually stay in the swamps!

Receive and Recall

1. Florida is called the State.

2. The Mountains are in the Southeast.

3. live in Florida's swamps.

4. Florida is shaped like a pointing into the ocean.

Reflect and Respond

  1. Have you ever been to the Southeast?
  2. Would you like to go to the beach in Florida?
  3. What Southern foods would you like to try?

Answer Key - Lesson 5

1. Sunshine

2. Appalachian

3. Alligators

4. finger

Lesson 6: The Midwest Region

Psalm 65:9 - "You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly."

The Midwest Region

The Midwest is in the middle of the country. It includes states like:

Midwest Special Features

  • Flat land - great for farming!
  • Called "America's Heartland"
  • Grows lots of corn and wheat
  • The Great Lakes (huge lakes!)
  • Very cold winters, warm summers
  • Friendly people

The Great Lakes

The five Great Lakes are the biggest group of lakes in the world!

Remember them with: HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior)

Did You Know?

The Midwest grows so much corn and wheat that it is called the "breadbasket of America"! The food from Midwest farms feeds the whole country.

Receive and Recall

1. The Midwest is called America's .

2. There are Great Lakes.

3. Lake is the biggest of the Great Lakes.

4. The Midwest grows lots of and wheat.

HOMES - Great Lakes Memory Trick!

Use the word HOMES to remember the Great Lakes:

Huron - Ontario - Michigan - Erie - Superior

Say it three times out loud!

Reflect and Respond

  1. Have you ever been to a farm?
  2. Why are farms important?
  3. Would you like to see the Great Lakes?

Answer Key - Lesson 6

1. Heartland

2. five (5)

3. Superior

4. corn

Lesson 7: The Southwest Region

Psalm 95:4 - "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him."

The Southwest Region

The Southwest is in the bottom left part of the country. It includes states like:

Southwest Special Features

  • Very hot and dry - deserts!
  • Beautiful red rocks and canyons
  • The Grand Canyon (one of the world's wonders!)
  • Cowboys and ranches
  • Cactus plants grow here
  • Mix of American, Mexican, and Native American cultures

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona. It is:

Did You Know?

Texas is so big that it takes about 12 hours to drive across it! "Everything is bigger in Texas" - that's what Texans say!

Receive and Recall

1. The Southwest has deserts.

2. The Grand is in Arizona.

3. is the second biggest state.

4. plants grow in the desert.

Draw a Cactus!

Cacti are plants that live in the desert. They have sharp spines instead of leaves!

Draw here

Reflect and Respond

  1. What would it be like to live in the desert?
  2. Would you like to see the Grand Canyon?
  3. Why do you think cacti have spines?

Answer Key - Lesson 7

1. hot/dry

2. Canyon

3. Texas

4. Cactus

Lesson 8: The West Region

Psalm 121:1-2 - "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from Yahuah, the Maker of heaven and earth."

The West Region

The West is on the left side of the country, by the Pacific Ocean. It includes states like:

West Special Features

  • The Pacific Ocean on the coast
  • The Rocky Mountains - very tall!
  • Big redwood and sequoia trees
  • Hollywood movies are made here
  • Beautiful national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite
  • Many different climates - beaches AND snow!

The Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are huge mountains that run through many states:

Did You Know?

The redwood trees in California are the tallest trees in the world! Some are over 350 feet tall - that's taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Receive and Recall

1. The West is by the Ocean.

2. The Mountains are very tall mountains in the West.

3. trees are the tallest trees in the world.

4. movies are made in California.

Reflect and Respond

  1. Have you ever been to the mountains?
  2. Would you like to see the redwood trees?
  3. What would it be like to stand on top of a very tall mountain?

Answer Key - Lesson 8

1. Pacific

2. Rocky

3. Redwood

4. Hollywood

Lesson 9: Rivers of America

Psalm 46:4 - "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of Elohim."

Important Rivers

Rivers are long flowing bodies of water. America has many important rivers!

The Mississippi River

Other Important Rivers

Did You Know?

The Mississippi River got its name from Native Americans. It means "Great River" or "Father of Waters."

Why Rivers Are Important

Receive and Recall

1. The River is the longest river in America.

2. The River made the Grand Canyon.

3. Mississippi means "Great ."

4. The Rio is on the border with Mexico.

Reflect and Respond

  1. Is there a river near where you live?
  2. Why did Yahuah make rivers?
  3. Have you ever been on a boat on a river?

Answer Key - Lesson 9

1. Mississippi

2. Colorado

3. River

4. Grande

Lesson 10: Our Capital - Washington, D.C.

Romans 13:1 - "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities."

The Nation's Capital

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. It is where:

Famous Places in Washington, D.C.

Did You Know?

Washington, D.C. is not a state! D.C. stands for "District of Columbia." It is a special area that belongs to the whole nation, not just one state.

Why Is It Named Washington?

The city is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. He helped the country win independence and was a great leader.

Receive and Recall

1. Washington, D.C. is the of the United States.

2. The President lives in the House.

3. Congress meets in the Building.

4. D.C. stands for District of .

Reflect and Respond

  1. Would you like to visit Washington, D.C.?
  2. What building would you most like to see?
  3. Why is it important for a country to have a capital?

Answer Key - Lesson 10

1. capital

2. White

3. Capitol

4. Columbia

Lesson 11: National Parks

Genesis 2:15 - "Yahuah Elohim took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

Special Protected Places

National Parks are special places that are protected so everyone can enjoy them. America has over 60 national parks!

Famous National Parks

Yellowstone

Location: Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

Famous for: Old Faithful geyser, hot springs, bears, buffalo

Grand Canyon

Location: Arizona

Famous for: The huge canyon carved by the Colorado River

Yosemite

Location: California

Famous for: Tall waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, rock climbing

Did You Know?

Yellowstone was the first national park in the world! It was created in 1872 to protect its amazing geysers and wildlife.

Why National Parks Are Important

Receive and Recall

1. was the first national park in the world.

2. Yellowstone is famous for the Faithful geyser.

3. America has over national parks.

4. National parks protect Yahuah's beautiful .

Reflect and Respond

  1. Have you ever been to a national park?
  2. Which park would you most like to visit?
  3. How can we take care of Yahuah's creation?

Answer Key - Lesson 11

1. Yellowstone

2. Old

3. 60

4. creation

Lesson 12: Weather Across America

Matthew 5:45 - "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Different Weather in Different Places

America is so big that it has many different kinds of weather!

Weather by Region

Did You Know?

On the same day, it can be snowing in Alaska while people are swimming at the beach in Florida! That's how different the weather can be across America.

Yahuah Controls the Weather

The Bible tells us that Yahuah controls all weather:

Receive and Recall

1. The can get very cold with lots of snow.

2. The Southwest is very hot and .

3. is warm and tropical all year.

4. controls all the weather.

Reflect and Respond

  1. What is the weather like where you live?
  2. Do you like snow or warm weather better?
  3. Why do you think Yahuah made different weather in different places?

Answer Key - Lesson 12

1. Northeast/Midwest/Alaska

2. dry

3. Hawaii

4. Yahuah

Lesson 13: Map Skills Practice

Proverbs 4:26 - "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet."

Reading a Map

Maps help us find where places are. Let's practice some map skills!

Map Directions

Compass Rose Practice

A compass rose shows directions on a map. Remember:

Never Eat Soggy Waffles

Start at the top and go clockwise: North, East, South, West!

Using Map Colors

Map Symbols

Receive and Recall

1. On a map, north is at the .

2. on a map usually means water.

3. A compass shows directions on a map.

4. often show capital cities on maps.

Map Practice!

Look at a map of the United States. Can you answer these?

Reflect and Respond

  1. Why are maps helpful?
  2. Can you find your state on a map?
  3. What other things can maps show us?

Answer Key - Lesson 13

1. top

2. Blue

3. rose

4. Stars

Map Practice: Atlantic Ocean, Canada, Alaska (or Washington/California), Mississippi River

Lesson 14: Geography Review

Psalm 24:1 - "The earth is Yahuah's, and everything in it."

What We Learned!

We learned so much about America! Let's review:

Great Job!

You now know so much about America! Yahuah made this beautiful land for people to enjoy. Keep exploring and learning!

Final Review

1. The United States has states.

2. is north of America.

3. is the biggest state.

4. The River is the longest in America.

5. The capital of America is , D.C.

6. The Canyon is in Arizona.

7. There are Great Lakes.

8. The Ocean is on the west coast.

9. was the first national park.

10. made everything on earth.

Washington 50 Canada Alaska Mississippi Grand five Pacific Yellowstone Yahuah

Final Questions

  1. What was your favorite thing to learn about?
  2. What state or place would you most like to visit?
  3. How can we thank Yahuah for this beautiful country?

Answer Key - Lesson 14

1. 50

2. Canada

3. Alaska

4. Mississippi

5. Washington

6. Grand

7. five

8. Pacific

9. Yellowstone

10. Yahuah

Course Completion Notes for Parents/Teachers:

Congratulations! Your student has completed "Exploring America"! They now understand:

Keep exploring! Look at maps together, watch travel documentaries, and talk about the wonderful land Yahuah has given us!