Letters from the Northeast
The fourth graders travel the regions of the United States in their Social Studies curriculum. In their study, they look at the climate and physical features of a region as well as important landmarks, industries, and the region's natural resources. The students examine the history of the area, too. After studying a region, each student writes a friendly letter to a family member describing what he/she has learned about that region as if from personal experience (for example, his/her visit to the city of Boston). They put the letter into an envelope and decorate the envelope with pictures representing that region. The envelopes from each region are then bound together to create a book keepsake.
The following are a few examples of student letters from the study of the Northeast: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
| 601 Fourth Street Canby, Minnesota 56220 May 7, 2007 Dear Mom, My class took a field trip to the Northeast. The states in this region are Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. One place I visited was the Appalachian Mountains. This long chain of mountains runs through both the Northeast and the Southeast. The Appalachians are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. They were formed 250 million years ago, then earth's thick crust moved, causing parts of it to sag and bend. These peaks once rose high in the sky, but now the Appalachians aren't that high. Huge glaciers have worn them down. Have you ever been to the NE? Write back and tell me what you saw. Love, Alayna |
| 601 Fourth Street Canby, Minnesota 56220 May 7, 2007 Dear Denise, I just returned home from a trip from the Northeast. I visited many exciting places including New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut. While I was there it was very warm as it usually is. The winters are cold and are similar to Minnesota's. It was interesting to see many features including the Appalachian Mountains, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Atlantic Ocean, and the St. Lawrence River. I also got to see many beautiful needle leaf and broadleaf trees. The Northeast region of the United States is a very beautiful part of the country. One interesting place I went to was Boston. The American Revolution took place there. It took place in Lexington and Concord plus it lasted 8 years. The Minutemen of the 13 colonies dressed up as Native Americans and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. This was called the Boston Tea Party. In the Boston Massacre, lawyer John Adams was so successful that 6 of the soldiers who shot colonists were found innocent and 2 were freed after punishment the next day. Boston would have been an interesting place to live during the American Revolution. If you ever visit the Northeast will you be sure to write back. Your loving godson, Adam |
| 601 Fourth Street Canby, Minnesota 56220 May 7, 2007 Dear Grandpa and Grandma Moeller, I visited the Northeast Region with my fourth grade class this year. It was a very interesting trip. I learned many things I wanted to share some of these things with you. The Northeast Region is made up of the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut. They have warm summers and cold winters similar to us. They have a lot of sites to see, like the Appalachian Mountains, needle leaf and broadleaf trees, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence river, and the Atlantic Ocean. These sites were so awesome to see. One place that I thought was very cool to see and learn about was the longhouses. They are about 200 feet long. They are rectangular buildings made from the wood and bark of elm trees. A dozen families can live in each house. I think our family needs a few of these kinds of houses that way we don't have to drive to visit each other. The trip was so much fun and I learned so much information about the Northeast Region. Will you come with me next time I visit a region? Please write back soon. Love your grandson, Spencer |
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