Granite and Greenery Slides Granite and Greenery
Mapping the Northeast: Geography & Climate
Day 1 Northeast Navigator Unit
The 11 States
The Northeast is the smallest region in the U.S., but it's packed with history and variety!
New England: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT
Middle Atlantic: NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD
"From the rugged coast of Maine to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania."
[Map of the Northeast Region showing all 11 states]
Landforms
Appalachians
One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, running through almost every Northeast state.
Atlantic Coast
Rocky cliffs in the north and sandy beaches in the south. Vital for fishing and shipping.
Waterways
Huge lakes (like the Great Lakes) and powerful rivers (like the Hudson and Delaware).
Climate: The Big Four
Spring
Melt and bloom. Often rainy and cool.
Summer
Hot and humid, especially in the cities.
Autumn
Famous "fall foliage." Crisp air and harvest time.
Winter
Cold and snowy. "Nor'easters" can bring heavy blizzards.
"If you don't like the weather in the Northeast, wait five minutes!"
What is a Nor'easter?
A powerful storm that moves along the East Coast. It gets its name from the northeasterly winds that blow in from the ocean.
Brings heavy rain or snow.
Can cause flooding and power outages.
Regional Temps
<table class="w-full text-xl border-collapse"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-blue-700"><td class="py-4 font-semibold">Northern (ME, VT, NH)</td><td class="py-4 text-right">Much colder, longer winters</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-blue-700"><td class="py-4 font-semibold">Southern (MD, DE, NJ)</td><td class="py-4 text-right">Milder winters, hotter summers</td></tr><tr><td class="py-4 font-semibold">Coastal</td><td class="py-4 text-right">Regulated by the Atlantic Ocean</td></tr></tbody></table>Granite and Greenery Worksheet Granite & Greenery
Northeast Geography & Climate
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Northeast Map
[Map of the 11 Northeast States with numbers 1-11]
Part 2: Features of the Land
Match the geographic feature to its description by writing the correct letter in the box.
Appalachian Mountains — Old, rounded peaks that run through the region.
Atlantic Ocean — The massive body of water bordering the region to the east.
Niagara Falls — A world-famous landmark shared between New York and Canada.
Part 3: The Four Seasons
Winter Weather
What is a "Nor'easter" and how does it affect people living in the Northeast?
Autumn Changes
Why is the Northeast famous for its "fall foliage"? Describe what happens to the trees.
Quick Thinker Challenge
If you lived in the northernmost state of the Northeast (Maine), how would your winter clothing be different from someone living in the southernmost state (Maryland)?
Coastal Keepers Slides Coastal Keepers
The Wampanoag & Abenaki Peoples
Day 2 Northeast Navigator Unit
Mapping the Nations
Wampanoag
"People of the First Light." Lived in what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Abenaki
"People of the Dawnland." Lived in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and parts of Canada.
[Map showing coastal and forest regions of the Northeast marked with tribal names]
Homes Built for the Seasons
The Wetu
A dome-shaped home used by the Wampanoag, made of bent saplings and covered in woven mats or bark.
[Illustration of a Wetu near the coast]
The Wigwam
Similar to a wetu, but often covered in birch bark—perfect for the northern forests of the Abenaki.
[Illustration of a Birch-Bark Wigwam in a forest]
Life from Land and Sea
The Three Sisters
Corn, beans, and squash grown together. They help each other grow and provide a complete meal.
Coastal Bounty
Clams, oysters, lobster, and fish like sturgeon. Using nets, spears, and weirs (traps).
Forest Gifts
Deer, turkey, and moose for meat. Berries and nuts. Tapping maple trees for sap in the spring.
"We belong to the earth, the earth does not belong to us."
Today, the Wampanoag and Abenaki continue to preserve their languages, traditions, and sovereign rights through education, environmental stewardship, and community gatherings (Powwows).
Sustainability
Heritage
Sovereignty
Coastal Keepers Worksheet Coastal Keepers
Life of the Wampanoag & Abenaki
Name:
Date:
The Three Sisters
Explain how each sister helps the others grow in a traditional garden. Use the clues below!
CORN
"The tall stalk that provides a support pole."
Describe its role:
BEANS
"The climber that adds nutrients (nitrogen) to the soil."
Describe its role:
SQUASH
"The ground cover that keeps the soil moist."
Describe its role:
Living with the Seasons
The Wampanoag and Abenaki moved based on the seasons. Write the correct activity next to each season.
SPRING
SUMMER
AUTUMN
WINTER
Tapping maple trees for sap Coastal fishing and gardening Hunting in the inland forests Harvesting crops and gathering nuts
Wetu & Wigwam
What material was often used to cover a northern Abenaki Wigwam? Why was this material so useful?
The Wampanoag Wetu was often covered with woven mats. How did this help with airflow in the summer?
Longhouse Leaders Slides Longhouse Leaders
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy
Day 3 Northeast Navigator Unit
People of the Longhouse
The Haudenosaunee (commonly known as the Iroquois) are a powerful union of nations living in what is now New York State.
The Original Five Nations
Mohawk
Oneida
Onondaga
Cayuga
Seneca
*The Tuscarora joined later as the sixth nation.
The Hiawatha Belt
[Graphic representation of the Hiawatha Wampum Belt]
Architecture and Family
Extended Living
Longhouses were up to 200 feet long! Multiple families from the same clan lived together.
Matrilineal Society
Family lines were traced through the mother. Clan Mothers chose the leaders!
Inside the Longhouse
Shared fire pits down the center
Two levels of sleeping bunks
Storage for corn, beans, and dried meat
The World's Oldest Living Democracy
The Tree of Peace
Nations buried their weapons beneath a Great White Pine tree. The eagle on top watches for danger to the peace.
"Unity brings strength. Like one bundle of arrows that cannot be broken."
Democratic Influence
Many historians believe the Haudenosaunee system of government influenced the U.S. Constitution.
Representatives for each nation
Discussion until agreement is met
Balance of power
Sovereignty and the Future
The Haudenosaunee are not a "culture of the past." They are sovereign nations today with their own passports, governments, and schools.
Education
Schools teach the Mohawk, Oneida, and other languages.
Economy
Nations manage their own lands and businesses.
Culture
Traditional ceremonies and clan structures remain vital.
Longhouse Leaders Worksheet Longhouse Leaders
Haudenosaunee Confederacy & Government
Name:
Date:
The Nations
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is made up of six unique nations. List them in any order below.
The Longhouse Village
[Diagram of a Longhouse with labels A, B, C]
Cross-Section View
Label A:
Shared central fire pits for cooking and warmth.
Label B:
Elevated platforms used for sleeping.
Label C:
Upper storage areas for dried corn and skins.
The Tree of Peace
The Tree of Peace is a major symbol for the Haudenosaunee. Answer the questions below about its meaning.
What did the nations bury beneath the tree? Why?
Who sits at the top of the tree? What is their job?
Connection to Democracy
The Great Law of Peace explains how people should debate and agree on decisions. How is this similar to how the United States government works today?
Eleven Star States Slides Eleven Star States
Capitals, Landmarks, and Legends
Day 4 Northeast Navigator Unit
The New England Six
Maine (ME)
Capital: Augusta
New Hampshire (NH)
Capital: Concord
Vermont (VT)
Capital: Montpelier
Massachusetts (MA)
Capital: Boston
Rhode Island (RI)
Capital: Providence
Connecticut (CT)
Capital: Hartford
"Known for rocky coasts, maple syrup, colonial history, and autumn colors!"
The Mid-Atlantic Five
NY
Albany
NJ
Trenton
PA
Harrisburg
DE
Dover
MD
Annapolis
Megalopolis!
The Mid-Atlantic is home to a chain of major cities so close they're practically connected.
NYC
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Wilmington
Famous Landmarks
The Liberty Bell
Philadelphia, PA
Statue of Liberty
New York, NY
Acadia Nat'l Park
Mount Desert Island, ME
"Millions of tourists visit these spots every year to see where America began."
State Superlatives
Did you know?
RHODE ISLAND is the smallest state by land area.
PENNSYLVANIA was where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
VERMONT was the first state to outlaw slavery.
Ready to Explore?
Grab your map and start your journey through the Eleven Star States!
Eleven Star States Worksheet Eleven Star States
State Explorer & Landmark Hunt
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Capitals
Draw a line to match each Northeast state to its capital city.
1. Massachusetts
2. New York
3. Maine
4. Pennsylvania
5. Maryland
6. New Hampshire
A. Albany
B. Annapolis
C. Boston
D. Concord
E. Augusta
F. Harrisburg
Part 2: Landmark Riddle
Riddle #1
"I have a big crack in my side, but I represent freedom. I live in the 'City of Brotherly Love.'"
Answer:
State:
Riddle #2
"I am a tall lady holding a torch. I was a gift from France to welcome immigrants to America."
Answer:
State:
Riddle #3
"I am a rugged island filled with mountains and pine trees. I am the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise."
Answer:
State:
Part 3: The Biggest & Smallest
Which state is the smallest by land area?
Which state is famous for its maple syrup production?
Northeast Explorer Challenge
If you could visit any of the Eleven Star States, which one would you choose and why? What is the one thing you would want to see there?
Concrete and Cranberries Slides Concrete and Cranberries
Modern Life in the Northeast Today
Day 5 Northeast Navigator Unit
Concrete Jungles
The Northeast is the most urbanized region in the U.S.
Efficient Public Transport (Subways, Amtrak)
Incredible Diversity (Melting Pot)
Skyscrapers and Historical Landmarks
[Image of a bustling NYC street or the Philadelphia skyline]
Cranberry Bogs and Dairy Farms
Massachusetts
The Cranberry capital. Bogs are flooded in the fall to harvest these floating red berries.
Vermont
Famous for Dairy Farming. Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state!
Maine
Maine leads the way in Lobster fishing and potato farming.
The Brain of the Nation
Ivy League & Beyond
The Northeast is home to some of the world's most famous universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
Leading Industries
Finance (Wall Street)
Fashion (NYC)
Bio-Tech (Boston)
Publishing
One Region, Many Voices
From the descendants of Indigenous nations and early colonists to new immigrants arriving today, the Northeast remains a vibrant, evolving place where tradition meets the future.
Concrete and Cranberries Worksheet Concrete & Cranberries
Modern Economy & Life
Name:
Date:
Two Ways of Life
Contrast life in a big Northeast city with life in a rural Northeast town. Fill in the missing information.
Feature Urban (Big City) Rural (Countryside) Housing Transportation Main Jobs
Products of the Land
Match the resource/product to the Northeast state where it is a major industry.
Lobster
Cranberries
Maple Syrup
Finance (Stocks)
Our Modern Community
The Northeast is called a "melting pot" because so many different cultures and people live together. Think about all we have learned this week. How do the diverse people (Indigenous nations, historical figures, and modern immigrants) make the Northeast a special place to live?
Northeast Navigator Finale
If you were a tour guide for the Northeast, what is the ONE thing you would tell people they absolutely HAVE to see? Why?
