In our district, third graders are expected to learn about the regions of  the United States. For that reason, we adopted the Social Studies Alive! program and use the Social Studies Alive! Regions of Our Country textbook. 

The authors of this textbook chose nine interesting and important cities or landmarks to highlight in each region. Each tour stop has a single page dedicated to it in the textbook, and each tour stop is presented through the lens of the four social sciences — economics, geography, political science, and history. Students listen to a “tour guide” on a CD that is included with the program as they travel.

Students visit all five of the regions in the United States during the school year. The nine cities or landmarks are selected as great places for students to visit, but I also add my own tour stops when I feel it is necessary. While some tour stops are just "drive-bys," where students learn facts about the important place and move on, we choose to stop at some places so that students can take part in a hands-on activity or celebration.

Watch a video overview of the region tour, check out photos, and more.