ALL ABOUT NORTH

AMERICA

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 2

3-6
Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 6
Activity Page ▶ page 7
Practice Page ▶ page 8
GRADE

Homework Page
Answer Key
▶
▶
page 9
pages 10 – 11
Classroom Procedure: Approximate Grade Level: 3 – 6
Objectives: The students will be able to locate
1. Ask students: How many countries are in North America? the continent of North America on a map, list
(Many students will not guess the true number—23) Ask some of the countries and characteristics of North
students to name as many as possible. America, and explain some of its history.
2. Allow for responses and list all countries. Once students State Educational Standards*
have guessed as many as possible, go through each LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3, 7
country and a North America map, identify each of the LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3, 7
listed countries on the map-ask students if they still agree LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3, 7
LB.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3, 7
it is a part of North America.
3. Ask students if they are surprised by the number of Class Sessions (45 minutes):
At least 2 class sessions.
countries in North America and why.
4. Allow for responses and discussion. Introduce All About Teaching Materials/Worksheets:
All About North America content pages (3),
North America. Activity pages, Practice page, Homework page
5. Distribute All About North America content pages. Read
Student Supplies:
and review the information with the students. Use a North Colored pencils, markers, construction or poster
America continent map during the content discussion/ paper, scratch paper, Internet access, handouts
reading, identifying various places for students. A map
of N.A. may be distributed to students. Save the final Prepare Ahead of Time:
Pair students, supplies for activity. North
question for the lesson closing. Use the additional America map. Copy handouts.
resources to enhance understanding.
Options for Lesson: Students may work alone
6. Distribute Activity page. Read and review the instructions. or in groups for the activity. For the activity,
Pair students and distribute supplies. Allow students students choose the country or territory. Students
access to the Internet and time to complete the posters. create an imaginary travel log describing a visit
Review each poster rough draft before allowing students to a country or territory. Plan a North America
to complete a final poster. Day, celebrating with various dress/foods of
the countries. Invite a person to the class who
7. Once completed, students present the poster to the has visited another N.A. country to speak with
class. Once all students have presented, students cast the class about their experiences. Assign each
a private vote sharing the country where they would like student a North American country to research
to visit based on the presentations. extensively and present information to the class.

8. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students’ *Lessons are aligned to meet the education objectives and goals of
responses. most states. For more information on your state objectives, contact
your local Board of Education or Department of Education in your state.
9. Distribute the Homework page. The next day, check
and review the students’ responses.
10. In closing, ask students: Imagine in the future the United
States no longer exists, what other country in North
America would you move to and why?
11. Allow for responses and discussion. Encourage students
to be specific with their reasons for moving to the country.

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 Teacher Notes
The lesson introduces students to a familiar continent, North America. Students are familiar with the seven
continents but may not know everything about their neighbors in North America, the other countries, people,
attractions, and information about the continent. This is one lesson in a series of lessons related to each of
the seven continents, when students can “travel” around the world learning about other cultures and peoples.
It is recommended students view one or more videos to enhance their “trips” to the continent.
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The Continent of North America
When most people hear America or North America, they often think of the United States of America, but it is
only one of 23 countries located on the continent of North America, named after Italian explorer Amerigo
Vespucci. Though the United States is the most populous of the countries with over 325 million people, it
is not the largest. Canada is the largest country on the continent of North America, measuring more than
3.8 million square miles. However, the United States is the second largest at over 3.7 million square miles.
In all, the continent measures about 9.5 million square miles, and is 16.5% of the Earth’s total land area.
North America is the third largest of the seven continents in the world with only Asia and Africa being larger.
It is in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly the Western Hemisphere of the planet, and is bordered by the
Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. In
the southeast, North America is bordered by another continent, South America, and the Caribbean Sea.Many
people do not realize that there are 23 different countries making up North America.

Some think there are just three countries, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, there are 20 other countries
plus dozens of territories and possessions, with some a part of Central America. The most populous city
of North America is Mexico City, Mexico with nearly 9 million living in the city and another 20 million in the
metropolitan area outside the city. It is also the capital of Mexico.
The major languages of the continent include English, mostly spoken in the U.S., French spoken in Canada,
and Spanish in many of the other countries. Scientists believe the first peoples arrived in North America around

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15,000 years ago; the Paleo-Indians migrating from Eurasia and used a land bridge between modern-day
Alaska and Siberia. The people moved south and developed organized societies, farming techniques, and
then settled into modern day Central and South America.
Of course, much later, Norse settlers arrived during the 11th century and Christopher Columbus and other
explorers from Europe settled in the Americas during the 15th century and beyond. Besides the evidence
of the colonists settling in America, further south, in the countries of Mexico and Guatemala, there were
ancient civilizations including the Mayan Civilization and the Aztec Empire. The Mayans built temples and
pyramids, and created a writing system and calendar.
The geography of the continent is diverse and includes all the major biomes: tropical rainforest, grassland,
desert, tundra, and coral reef. There are many geographical features throughout the North American continent
such as the longest river system in North America, Mississippi-Missouri River; the largest freshwater lake in
the world, Lake Superior (one of the five Great Lakes) on the border of Canada and the U.S.; and the biggest
island on Earth, and country, Greenland. The continent is also home to the Rocky Mountains, Appalachian
Mountains, Great Plains, Mount McKinley (the highest in N. America), Chihuahuan Desert covering parts
of the U.S. and Mexico; the Yucatán Peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea, and
many others.
Finally, the wildlife of North America includes about
965 species of mammals such as rabbits, squirrels,
raccoons, deer, coyote, bears, wolves, cougars, and
many others. The continent’s waters are home to
whales, dolphins, and sharks.

The Countries of North America

In all, there are 23 countries, 11 dependent territories
(meaning they are a part of other countries in the
world), and 14 possessions (overseen by other
countries). For example, the United States is a
country but one of its territories is Puerto Rico; and
Greenland is mostly a possession of a European
country, Denmark, and the island of Bermuda is a
territory owned by the British.

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Some countries and territories of North America:

UNITED STATES CANADA

Became independent of Britain in 1776, capital is Borders only one country (U.S.), temperate
Washington, D.C., 50 states, lowest point is Death climate in south, arctic in the north, capital is
Valley- 282 feet below sea level Ottawa, 2nd largest country in world

MEXICO CUBA
Almost 3 times the size of Texas, capital is Mexico Capital city is Havana, communist country, an
City, prone to earthquakes, declared independence island in the Caribbean Sea, the Guantanamo
from Spain in 1810 Naval Base in Cuba is leased by the U.S.

PANAMA EL SALVADOR
Capital is Panama City, Panama Canal cuts through Small country known for beaches and moun-
its center linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, tainous landscape, capital city is San Salvador,
home to a rainforest includes rainforests with waterfalls

GREENLAND PUERTO RICO

Danish territory, mostly above Arctic Circle, 80% Caribbean island, capital is San Juan, moun-
of its surface covered in ice, capital is Nuuk, small tains, waterfalls, and the El Yunque tropical
population of about 57,000 rainforest, a United States territory

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Besides El Salvador and Panama, five other countries that are a part of Central America (which is not a continent)
include Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Central America is the southernmost part
of North America and connects South America on its southeast. Central America is bordered by Mexico to
the north, Columbia to the southeast, Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The
population of this region is over 50 million.

Attractions of North America

Most likely, you are familiar with many of the famous attractions, both natural and manmade, found in the
United States, like the Grand Canyon, the White House, Empire State Building in New York, the Golden Gate
Bridge in San Francisco, and many others. Furthermore, there are several other attractions and landmarks
throughout North America, which brings visitors from around the world to the continent.

The Panama Canal is an artificial 48-mile Tikal is in a tropical rainforest in Guatemala, a

waterway connecting the Pacific & large city of the Ancient Mayans, population was
Atlantic Oceans, first used in 1914. 50 to 100,000, includes pyramids and temples.

A main temple of the Aztecs was the Canada’s most famous natural attraction is
Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, near Mexico City; Niagara Falls, about one hour from Toronto,
nearly 200 feet tall, built in the 14th century. situated along the American border, 187 ft. tall.

There are many more attractions and landmarks throughout the continent of North America, and visited by millions
of people each year, some old and some new. The diversity of North America’s people, animals, geographic
features and more will continue to bring interest and visitors from people all over the world on every continent.

Imagine in the future the United States no longer exists, what

other country in North America would you move to and why?

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Travel Poster

1. Supplies: Colored pencils, markers, construction or poster paper, scratch paper, Internet access
2. Work cooperatively with your partner to create a poster encouraging people to visit the North
American country/territory assigned to you by the teacher.
3. The poster may include words, images (drawn or from the Internet), logos, slogans, etc. to
persuade visitors and tourists from around the world to visit the country.
4. Use scratch paper and the space below to create a rough sketch of the poster.
5. Prior to beginning the final copy of the poster, the rough drafts must be approved by the teacher.
6. Your poster MUST include at least the following AND more:
• Country/territory name and its capital • Interesting fact about its people
• At least 3 famous attractions/land- • Information about at least 3 other
marks cities
• A sketch/outline of the country, map • Specific location of the country/terri-
tory
• Activities to do for visitors, young and • Best way to get there, transportation
old
7. Other additional and helpful facts or information to persuade visitors to your country.
8. The poster should be creative and eye-catching for those viewing it.
Rough Draft of Final Poster (or use scratch paper to be reviewed by the teacher)

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 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Match the description with the correct place.

1 The southern and western border of North America. A Arctic Ocean
2 Part of the southeastern border of North America. B Atlantic Ocean
3 The eastern border of North America. C Bermuda
4 The largest mountain in North America. D Greenland
5 A peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean. E Mexico City
6 A United States territory. F McKinley
7 The largest island on Earth. G Pacific Ocean
8 The northern border of North America. H Puerto Rico
9 The most populous city in North America. I South America
10 A territory owned by the British. J Yucatan
Fill in the blanks using the number bank.
1st 2nd 3rd 11th 15th
965 23 50 9.5 3.8
11. There are ______ different countries making up North America, plus other territories and possessions.
12. The Norse settlers arrived in America during the ______ century.
13. North America is the ______ largest continent on the Earth after Asia and Africa.
14. The population of the Central America region of North America is about ______ million.
15. Canada is the largest country of North America measuring ______million square miles.
16. The area of North America is about ______million square miles.
17. The United Sates is the ______ largest country of North America after Canada.
18. The wildlife of North America includes about ______ species of mammals.
19. Christopher Columbus and other settlers arrived in America during the ______ century.
20. The ______ peoples to arrive in North America over 15,000 years ago were the Paleo-Indians.

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 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

Name that Country or Territory

1. It borders only a single country, its capital is Ottawa, temperate and arctic climates_________________
2. Three times the size of Texas, declared its independence in 1810 from Spain______________________
3. Caribbean Island with its capital, San Juan, home to mountains and waterfalls_____________________
4. A canal cuts through its center linking the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean_____________________________
5. Became independent of Britain in 1776, its lowest point is Death Valley__________________________
6. Havana is its capital city and it’s a communist country, island in the Caribbean_____________________
7. A small country known for its beaches, mountainous landscapes, rainforests______________________
8. A Danish territory mostly above the Arctic Circle, its capital is Nuuk______________________________
9. Home to Tikal, a large city of the Ancient Mayans, includes pyramids and temples__________________
10. Home to the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, and Grand Canyon_____________________
Unscramble the names of each North American country. Some have two words.
11 THAII 23 AANDTUGBURAAB
12 HAMASAB 24 AAACIMJ
13 RUDNOHSA 25 DABRABOS
14 ADANERG 26 TAINSCENTNIV
15 AAACND 27 TAMALEAUG
16 ATINCIUALS 28 RATCAICSO
17 MINCIAOD 29 IXOCEM
18 CANLICDOMREPINIUB 30 KITTAINSSSVENI
19 LLEAVASDOR 31 TTROIBNAIGADAO
20 RAGNICAUA 32 SSTTTEEDUNIA
21 BEEZIL 33 CBUA
22 AMANAP

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 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Match the description with the correct place.

1 G The southern and western border of North America. A Arctic Ocean
2 I Part of the southeastern border of North America. B Atlantic Ocean
3 B The eastern border of North America. C Bermuda
4 F The largest mountain in North America. D Greenland
5 J A peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean. E Mexico City
6 H A United States territory. F McKinley
7 D The largest island on Earth. G Pacific Ocean
8 A The northern border of North America. H Puerto Rico
9 E The most populous city in North America. I South America
10 C A territory owned by the British. J Yucatan
Fill in the blanks using the word bank.
1st 2nd 3rd 11th 15th
965 23 50 9.5 3.8
11. There are 23 different countries making up North America, plus other territories and possessions.
12. The Norse settlers arrived in America during the 11th century.
13. North America is the third largest continent on the Earth after Asia and Africa.
14. The population of the Central America region of North America is about 50 million.
15. Canada is the largest country of North America measuring 3.8 million square miles.
16. The area of North America is about 9.5 million square miles.
17. The United Sates is the second largest country of North America after Canada.
18. The wildlife of North America includes about 965 species of mammals.
19. Christopher Columbus and other settlers arrived in America during the 15th century.
20. The first peoples to arrive in North America over 15,000 years ago were the Paleo-Indians.

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 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Name that Country or Territory

1. It borders only a single country, its capital is Ottawa, temperate and arctic climates Canada
2. Three times the size of Texas, declared its independence in 1810 from Spain Mexico
3. Caribbean Island with its capital, San Juan, home to mountains and waterfalls Puerto Rico
4. A canal cuts through its center linking the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Panama
5. Became independent of Britain in 1776, its lowest point is Death Valley United States
6. Havana is its capital city and it’s a communist country, island in the Caribbean Cuba
7. A small country known for its beaches, mountainous landscapes, rainforests El Salvador
8. A Danish territory mostly above the Arctic Circle, its capital is Nuuk Greenland
9. Home to Tikal, a large city of the Ancient Mayans, includes pyramids and temples Guatemala
10. Home to the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, and Grand Canyon United States
Unscramble the names of each North American country. Some have two words.
11 THAII Haiti 23 AANDTUGBURAAB Antigua Barbuda
12 HAMASAB Bahamas 24 AAACIMJ Jamaica
13 RUDNOHSA Honduras 25 DABRABOS Barbados
14 ADANERG Grenada 26 TAINSCENTNIV Saint Vincent 
15 AAACND Canada 27 TAMALEAUG Guatemala
16 ATINCIUALS Saint Lucia 28 RATCAICSO Costa Rica
17 MINCIAOD Dominica 29 IXOCEM Mexico
18 CANLICDOMREPINIUB Dominican Republic 30 KITTAINSSSVENI Saint Kitts Nevis
19 LLEAVASDOR El Salvador 31 TTROIBNAIGADAO Trinidad Tobago
20 RAGNICAUA Nicaragua 32 SSTTTEEDUNIA United States
21 BEEZIL Belize 33 CBUA Cuba
22 AMANAP Panama

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