As you learn more about your world, you begin to develop mental maps about the world you live in. On a piece of paper, sketch a
map of the United States. Do not look at a reference map until you are told to do so! Use only your mental map of the United States. Mark the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River on the map. Now, mark the major cities listed below on your map sketch. New York
Chicago
Philadelphia
San Diego
Dallas
Los Angeles
Houston
Phoenix
San Antonio
San Jose
Next, compare your sketch to a reference map. Answer these questions.
How many cities were correctly placed -
a) east and west of the Rocky Mountains?
b) east and west of the Mississippi River?
c) in the correct northern/southern half of the United States?
Task #1: Write a sentence or two about this exercise. Was there anything that surprised you about your knowledge of the cities?
Rural areas are often poor and lack the services, employment opportunities, and leisure activities that cities have. Teens often complain of boredom, and drug and alcohol use can be high.
