WELCOME TO THE WEST!Presented by Jennie Reilly & Laurie Hawbaker

This region includes the following states: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, & Colorado.

OBJECTIVESYou will be able to identify the 11 states that make up the West Region.

You will be able to identify the two main mountain systems in this region and how they were formed.

You will be able to identify the different climates of the West.

You will be able to identify some resources of the West.

Resources

RESOURCES The West is rich in natural resources. Because of these natural resources, a wide range of agricultural products are produced in the West. Not only does the West produce crops of fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts, but also livestock.

RESOURCES The following is a map of the agricultural products of the West Region. After studying the map, click on the assignment button on the bottom of this slide and complete the given worksheet.

Study the following map of the west region and do the activity at the bottom of the page. When you have completed this, click on next to continue on the slide show.

Click on the following states that do not belong in this region:

Washington Colorado HawaiiNevada Kansas IdahoTexas Oregon OhioCalifornia North Dakota UtahMontana Alaska Wyoming

Right On! This state belongs in the Southwest region!

Right On! This state belongs in the Midwest region!

Right On! This state belongs in the Midwest region!

Right On! This state belongs in the Midwest region!

Sorry! This state belongs in our West region!

ROCKY MOUNTAINSThe Rocky Mountains are the largest system of mountain ranges in North America. In the United States, they stretch across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Alaska. Most of the Rocky Mountains’ peaks were formed millions of years ago during a huge shift in the Earth’s crust.

CASCADE MOUNTAINS

The Cascade Mountains cover a smaller distance than the Rocky Mountains. They run from northern California to British Columbia in Canada. Unlike the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades were created by volcanoes. The Cascades takes its name from the many waterfalls that can be seen in the area.

How did the Cascade Mountains get their

name?

a. from a famous explorer

b. from the many waterfalls in the area

c. from a dishwashing detergent

d. from a volcano

No, there was not a famous explorer by the name of Cascade.

Try again.

Yes, the Cascade Mountains were named for the many waterfalls, or cascades, that can be seen in the area.

Climates

No, that is not the correct answer.

Try again.

No, try again.

The Cascade Mountains were formed by volcanoes, but they do not get their name from volcanoes.

A Region of Many Climates

The West Region has many different types of climates.

•Hawaii has a tropical climate. People there enjoy a warm, wet climate year-round.

•Another climate can be found in parts of California. Deserts can be found there. Deserts get very hot and receive little rainfall.

•Alaska has a subarctic climate because they are closer to the North Pole. Warm periods in the summer are short, and parts of the state are covered in snow for most of the year.

Which state in the West Region has a tropical climate?

a. Washington b. Montana

c. Hawaii d. Alaska

No, that is not the correct answer.

Try again.

No, Montana is too cold to have a tropical climate.

Try again.

You remembered that Hawaii has a tropical climate.

Continue On!

No, Alaska has a subarctic climate.

Try again.

You are now familiar with the region you live in!

References

REFERENCES

•http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/westus.pdf

•http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/instruction/kid-pages/nifty-fifty/default.html

•http://www.edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_35_432.html

•http://www.edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_41_28.html