Letters from the Southeast
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 Everglades). 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 Southeast: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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March 22, 2007 Dear Kevin and Julie One of the places we visited was a tobacco plantation. Three things we learned about this place was; slaves worked there, they grow cotton and tobacco, and it's huge. Another place we went to was the House of Burgesses. While we were visiting we learned it's a group of people not a house. The Royal Governor didn't like them making their own rules so he closed it. A third place we visited on our trip was the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was the conductor. It was a secret path underground where slaves walked to get free, and over 300 were not slaves anymore because of Harriet Tubman. Please write back if you've been to the Southeast and tell me what you saw. Your Friend,
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| March 22, 2007 Dear Grandpa, Our class has just returned from an enjoyable trip to the Southeast region of the United States. The states in the southeast region are: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is hot and wet almost all year long. It has wetland, rivers, farms, and mountains. The main river of the area is the Mississippi River. The place I like best during our visit was Fort Sumter. I learned that the first shot in the Civil War was fired there. It was the Union's fort. Ulysses S. Grant was the general at Fort Sumter. It is found on the shores of South Carolina. Have you ever been to the Southeast before or close to it? Your grandson,
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March 22, 2007 Dear Aunt Gwen, The Southeast has a longer growing season so it's warm almost all year. The Mississippi River, the "Father of Rivers", flows through this area.
The state I liked the best was Louisiana. I learned that it
is called the Pelican State because its state bird is the pelican.
This cool place has many swamps. There are also many plantations
there. The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge, and its motto is:
Union, Justice and Confidence. New Orleans (located in Louisiana)
is one of the world's busiest ports. Your niece,
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March 22, 2007 Dear Grandma Rita, Our class has just returned from an enjoyable trip to the SE region of the U.S.A. The states in this region are: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. These states are part of the Sun Belt which means it's warm all year round. This area of the U.S.A has lots of wetlands, the Mississippi River, and the Appalachian Mountains. One place I visited was the route of the Trail of Tears. I learned 15,000 people were forced to move from Georgia to Oklahoma. They had to walk 900 miles and 4,000 died of sickness, hunger, and starvation.
Did you ever visit the Southeast? Please write back.
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| March 22, 2007 Dear Mom, Our Class has just returned from an enjoyable trip to the Southeast region of the United States. The states in this region are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. These states are part of the Sun Belt which means it's hot all year. The Mississippi River, the "Father of Rivers", flows through this area. We went to a coal mine and we learned many interesting facts. One thing we learned about is the tunnel, it could cave in at anytime. Another thing we learned was that dust made it hard for the minors to see. We also learned that Kentucky and West Virginia have a lot of coal. I'm back to Canby now. I was wondering if you could come next time I visit the Southeast Your son, |
| March 22, 2007 Dear Uncle Doug, Our class has just returned from an enjoyable trip to the Southeast region of the United States. The states in the Southeast region are: Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. These states are part of the Sun Belt which means it's warm all year round. This area of the United States has lots of wetlands. The Mississippi River, or "father of all rivers", flows through this area. The Appalachian Mountains are in this area, too. My favorite place I visited was the Mississippi River. I liked this place because it is the largest river in North America. This river has over two hundred tributaries, and it's source is Lake Itasca. The mouth of the river is the Gulf of Mexico. Did you know settlers back ago would live near the river for good food and water supplies, and farmers would sell their crops and ship them to the Northern states to make money? I hope you had a good time reading this please write back. Yours truly, |
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