Washington

Ages 5–11 · 16 minutes · Geography

Come delight in Washington's fresh fruits and lush landscape!

Washington's got some stunning wildlife. Grab your camera and come check it out!

No prior knowledge needed.

Part of

The 50 States

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

D2.Geo.6.K-2 — Individually and with others, students… Identify some cultural and environmental characteristics of specific places.
D2.Geo.2.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Alabama

SS10.2.10.1 — Comparing physical features of regions throughout the United States
SS10.2.10 — Identify ways people throughout the country are affected by their human and physical environments.
SS10.5.13.2 — Locating on a map states, capitals, and important geographic features west of the Mississippi River

Alaska

1 — know that places have distinctive geographic characteristics;
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
2 — understand the people and the political, geographic, economic, cultural, social, and environmental events that have shaped the history of the state, the United States, and the world;

Arizona

2.G1.1 — Use and construct maps, graphs, and other geographic representations of familiar and unfamiliar places in the world; and locate physical and human features. • Key physical features include but are not limited to seven continents, oceans, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, coasts, seas, and deserts • Key human features include but are not limited to equator, hemispheres, North and South Pole, cities, states, countries, regions, and landmarks
1.G1.1 — Use, explore and construct maps, graphs and other geographical representations to support content focus. • Key concepts include but are not limited to physical features (rivers, lakes, mountains, landforms, desert) and human features (dams, cities, parks, hospitals, schools, railroad tracks, farms, factories, houses)
2.G1.2 — Use maps, globes, and other simple geographic models to identify and explain cultural and environmental characteristics of places in the world based on stories shared. Arizona History and Social Science Standards modified 8/23/19 Page 19
5.G1.1 — Use and construct maps and graphs to represent changes in the United States. • Key concepts include but are not limited to physical and human features of the United States, the regions of the United States and their characteristics, geographic location of major events, the growth of the United States through territorial expansion, demographic changes, and the states and their capitals
2.G4.1 — Identify different physical and cultural regions in the world.

Arkansas

G.1.K.2 — Identify and describe the physical characteristics of a place such as rivers, mountains, and forests using maps, globes, and photographs.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
G.1.1.2 — Describe the physical and human characteristics of a place including roads, buildings, and borders using maps, globes, and photographs.
H.1.2.5 — Explain state and national historical symbols and landmarks and the people and events associated with them.

California

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
K.6.2 — Know the triumphs in American legends and historical accounts through the stories of such people as Pocahontas, George Washington, Booker T. Washington, Daniel Boone, and Benjamin Franklin.

Colorado

RWC20-GR.K-S.1-GLE.2-EO.a — Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.
SC.2.2.2.a — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SS.K.2.1 — Recognize that geographic tools represent places and spaces.
SS.3.2.1 — Use geographic tools to develop spatial thinking skills.

Connecticut

GEO 2.6 — Identify cultural and environmental characteristics of a place/region.
GEO 2.3 — Use geographic representations to identify cultural and environmental characteristics of place.
GEO 3.2 — Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Delaware

K-3a — Students will use the concepts of place and region to explain simple patterns of connections between and among places across the country and the world. Grade 3
G.1.4-5a — Students will demonstrate development of mental maps of Delaware and of the United States which include the relative location and characteristics of major physical features, political divisions, and human settlements. Grade 4
G.2.K-3a — Students will distinguish different types of climate and landforms and explain why they occur. Grade 2
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
G.2.4-5a — Students will apply a knowledge of topography, climate, soils, and vegetation of Delaware and the United States to understand how human society alters, and is affected by, the physical environment. Grade 5

Florida

SS.3.G.2.5 — Identify natural and man-made landmarks in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
SS.3.G.2.4 — Describe the physical features of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
SS.5.G.1.6 — Locate and identify states, capitals, and United States Territories on a map.
SC.5.E.7.5 — Recognize that some of the weather-related differences, such as temperature and humidity, are found among different environments, such as swamps, deserts, and mountains.

Hawaii

SS.2.3.13.4 — Describe major geographic features of places using maps, photos, and other geographic representations
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SS.3.3.13.1 — Analyze how geographical features affect human life in local communities and those around the world
SS.1.2.13.2 — Describe some physical features of continents and oceans in the world

Idaho

5.SS.2.1.2 — Identify the regions of the United States and their resources.
5.SS.2.1.4 — Name and locate the 50 States and their Capitals, and U.S. Territories.
2-LS-2.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Illinois

SS.2.G.1 — With guidance and support, use print and digital maps, globes and other simple geographic models to identify cultural and environmental characteristics of places.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SS.1.G.1 — With guidance and support, construct and interpret print and digital maps and other cultural representations of familiar places.
SS.2.G.2 — With guidance and support, identify some cultural and environmental characteristics of your community and compare to other places or regions.
LS4.D-P1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Indiana

5.G.2 — Use maps and globes to locate states, capitals, major cities, major rivers, the Great Lakes, and mountain ranges in the United States. (E)
5.G.4 — Use maps to describe the characteristics of climate regions of the United States.
K.LS.2 — Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.
1.LS.3 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Iowa

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SS.K.14. — Compare environmental characteristics in Iowa with other places.
Interpret Processes, Rules and Laws

Kansas

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Benchmark 4.5.1 — The student will recognize and evaluate dynamic relationships that impact lives in communities, states, and nations.
Standard 4.5 — Relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic.

Kentucky

2.G.GR.1 — Examine geographic features of places in North America, using a variety of geographic data, including maps, photos and other geographic tools.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Louisiana

2.21 — Describe geographic features and physical characteristics of places in the United States and the world, including mountains, hills, plains, deserts, coasts, islands, peninsulas, lakes, oceans, and rivers.
3.20 — Describe the geographic features of places in the United States.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Maine

SL.2.K.a — Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details to seek help if something is not understood.
SL.3.K.a — Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Maryland

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
applying cardinal directions on maps, globes, GPS, and Google Earth.

Massachusetts

4.T4e.1 — On a political map of the United States, locate the states in the West and the U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean; add to the timeline the admission dates for states in the Southwest (states listed alphabetically, Alaska-1959, California-1850, Colorado-1876, Hawaii-1959, Idaho-1890, Montana-1889, Nevada-1864, Oregon-1859, Utah-1896, Washington-1889, Wyoming-1890); territories: American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake Island.
4.T4e.5 — Using resources such as print and online atlases, or state websites, construct a map of a state in the West region that provides information about physical features (e.g., waterways and mountains), important landmarks, national parks, and historic sites and that includes a title, scale, compass, and map key.

Michigan

4–G2.0.2 — Locate and describe human and physical characteristics of major U.S. regions and compare them to the Great Lakes region.
4–G1.0.1 — Identify questions geographers ask in examining the United States.

Minnesota

4.3.2.3.1 — Locate and identify the physical and human characteristics of places in the United States, and also Canada or Mexico. For example: Physical characteristics—landforms (Rocky Mountains), ecosystems (forest), bodies of water (Mississippi River, Hudson Bay), soil, vegetation, weather and climate. Human characteristics— structures (Statue of Liberty), bridges (Golden Gate Bridge), canals (Erie Canal), cities, political boundaries, population distribution, settlement patterns, language, ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs.
2.3.1.1.3 — Use maps, photos or other geographic tools to identify and locate major landmarks or major physical features of the United States. For example: Physical features—the Atlantic Coast, Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, Lake Superior. Landmarks—Statue of Liberty, Angel Island, Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial.
4.3.2.4.1 — Name and locate states and territories, major cities and state capitals in the United States.
2.3.1.1.4 — Use maps, photos, or other geographic tools to answer basic questions about where people are located. For example: Where are we? What is this location like? What are the characteristics of this location? How has this place been affected by the movement of people, goods and ideas? How do people modify the environment to fit their needs? How do people organize locations into regions? How is this place similar to or different from other places?

Mississippi

3.CI.2.3 — Recognize locations where government is practiced at the national, state, and local levels.
5.10.2 — Identify and label each of the 50 states on a map.
6.5.1 — Describe the distinguishing physical and human characteristics of the United States and other countries.
K.H.1.2 — Identify school, community, state, and national symbols.

Missouri

4.EG.5.B.a — Name and locate specific regions, states, capitals, river systems and mountain ranges in the United States based on historical or current topics.
4.EG.5.C.a — Identify and compare physical characteristics of specific regions within the nation.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Montana

SS.G.5.1 — identify and label US regions, territories, states and their capitals/major cities;
2-LS4-1 — make observations of plants and animals to compare and contrast the diversity of life in different habitats.
SS.E.2.1 — describe the goods and services that people in the local, state, and national community produce;
SS.G.1.1 — identify and describe human and physical local landmarks; and

Nebraska

SS 5.3.1 — Explore where (spatial) and why people, places, and environments are organized in the United States.
SS 5.3.1.a — Use maps and atlases to locate major human and physical features in the United States.
SS 5.3.2.b — Identify and classify regions and places within the United States using physical and human features.
SS 5.3.3.a — Identify examples of ecosystems and analyze issues related to the natural setting in the United States.
SC.2.7.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Nevada

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

New Hampshire

SS.GE.2.1.3 — Identify major physical and human features in the United States and on Earth, e.g., cities, oceans, or continents. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment, G: Science, Technology, and Society)
SS.GE.2.3.2 — Explore the components and distribution of ecosystems, e.g., desert or rain forest. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment)
SS.GE.4.3.4 — Recognize the components and distribution of ecosystems, e.g., the location of certain plants and animals or the food chain. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment)
SS.GE.4.1.3 — Locate major physical and human features in the United States and on Earth, e.g., mountain ranges, principal parallels or meridians. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment, G: Science, Technology, and Society)

New Jersey

6.1.5.CivicsPI.5 — Explain how government functions at the local, county, and state level.
6.1.5.GeoPP.1 — Compare and contrast characteristics of regions in the United States based on culture, economics, and physical characteristics to understand the concept of regionalism.
6.1.5.EconNE.2 — Use data to describe how the availability of resources in New Jersey and other regions in the United States have impacted economic opportunities.
6.1.5.GeoSV.4 — Use a variety of geographic representations to describe the similarities and differences between places in New Jersey, the United States and the world (e.g., maps, data visualizations, graphs, diagrams, aerial and other photographs, GPS).

New Mexico

1.18 — Use a variety of maps to locate specific places and identify major landforms, bodies of water, and other places of significance around the United States.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
5.27 — Using a map, identify and locate the 50 states in the United States and know the capitals of each state along with the surrounding U.S. territories.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

New York

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
5.4c — The physical environment influences human population distribution, land use, and other forms of economic activity.

North Carolina

2.G.1.1 — Recognize absolute and relative location of various settlements, territories, and states in the development of the American nation.
1.G.1.1 — Use maps, globes, and/or digital representations to identify various types of landforms of places around the world.
K.G.1.2 — Identify physical features of places using maps, globes, and/or digital representations.

North Dakota

There are many kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Ohio

1.5 — Places are distinctive because of their physical characteristics (land forms and bodies of water) and human characteristics (structures built by people).
3.5 — Daily life is influenced by the agriculture, industry and natural resources in different communities.
K.LS.2 — Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
SL.K.4 — Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.

Oklahoma

4.2.2 — Identify major physical features in the United States and analyze how physical processes shape places. A. Identify and describe the physical characteristics of places, including the major landforms, bodies of water, vegetation and climates in the United States. B. Describe the location and characteristics of the major ecosystems in the United States.
4.2.5 — Identify and locate on a political map the fifty states and the United States capitol.
4.4.2 — Describe the patterns and networks of economic interdependence among regions of the United States. A. Identify and locate on a map the major cities of the United States, including their relative location to natural resources and transportation routes. B. Identify the major economic activities of each region of the United States by comparing how people satisfy their basic needs through the production of goods and services. C. Describe the relative location of natural resources, such as fossil fuels, minerals and soils, and their relationship to each region’s major economic activities, including agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and services.
2.LS4.1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Oregon

2.LS4.1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in each of a variety of different habitats.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats.]

Pennsylvania

7.1.3.B — Identify and locate places and regions.
3.1.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
3.4.K-2.C — Explain ways that places differ in their physical characteristics, their meaning, and their value and/or importance.
3.4.K-2.A — Categorize ways people harvest, redistribute, and use natural resources.

Rhode Island

SS3.6.1 — Geography and environment of the West Explain the geography and environment of the Western region of the United States
SS3.6.2 — States and territories in the West Explain the states and territories that make up the Western region including their admittance or incorporation to the United States and their identities
SS3.6.4 — The Western region today Argue how the geography and environment of the Western region contributed to its social, cultural, and economic development
SS3.1.3 — States and territories Explain what states and territories are and their locations within the United States

South Carolina

3.1.3.PR — Identify the spatial hierarchy of political and physical geographic features. This indicator prompts students to inquire about spatial hierarchies (i.e. scale) to understand connections between Earth's systems. Political features include cities, states, and countries. Physical features include forests, mountains, oceans, and rivers.
3.2.2.ER — Identify and analyze the ways people interact with the physical environment in different regions of the state, the country, and the world.This indicator prompts students to inquire about a variety of geographic landforms, water bodies, and climate patterns around the world and how humans interact with them, including population distribution and settlement patterns.
2-LS4-1. — Make observations of plants and animals to compare patterns of diversity within different habitats. Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in a variety of different habitats. State Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats.
2.G.3 — Explain how the distribution of human features, physical features, and natural resources within the U. S changes over time and impacts economic activity. This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how rivers, lakes, mountains, and other land features affect economic activity. This indicator also prompts students to explore how different geographic areas support different activities in different times due the availability of resources.

South Dakota

Making observations about plant and animal similarities and diversity in different habitats.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
3.G.1.2 — Locate the seven continents, four oceans, and major physical features and regions of the United States on a map or globe
3.H.2.2 — Explain the importance of famous American figures including but not limited to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson

Tennessee

3.09 — Identify and locate the fifty states of the U.S.
2.17 — Compare and contrast regions of the U.S. (i.e., Southeast, Northeast, Great Plains, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Northwest) in terms of climate, physical features, and population.
3.10 — Identify and locate major cities in the U.S., including: • Chicago • New York City • Los Angeles • Seattle • Miami • Washington, D.C.
2.05 — Recognize major U.S. industries and their products, including: agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, transportation, etc.
3.13 — Explain how geographic challenges are met with: • Bridges • Irrigation systems • Canals • Landfills • Dams • Tunnels • Freshwater supply

Texas

1.5A — identify and describe the physical characteristics of place such as landforms, bodies of water, Earth's resources, and weather; and
2.11D — identify symbols such as state and national birds and flowers and Uncle Sam; and
2.1B — identify and explain the significance of various community, state, and national landmarks such as monuments and government buildings.
2.4B — locate places, including the local community, Texas, the United States, the state capital, the U.S. capital, and the bordering countries of Canada and Mexico on maps and globes.
5.6B — describe regions in the United States based on physical characteristics such as landform, climate, and vegetation;
2.12A — describe how the physical characteristics of environments, including the amount of rainfall, support plants and animals within an ecosystem;

Utah

2.2.1 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns of living things (plants and animals, including humans) in different habitats. Emphasize the diversity of living things in land and water habitats. Examples of *patterns*in habitats could include descriptions of temperature or precipitation and the types of plants and animals found in land habitats. (LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D)
2.2.3.b — Identify community and state symbols, documents and landmarks (e.g., city hall, county courthouse, state capitol, Utah State Constitution, flag, holidays).
3.1.2 — Obtain and communicate information to describe climate patterns in different regions of the world. Emphasize how climate *patterns*can be used to predict typical weather conditions. Examples of climate *patterns*could be average seasonal temperature and average seasonal precipitation. (ESS2.D)

Vermont

D2.Geo.6.K-2 — Individually and with others, students… Identify some cultural and environmental characteristics of specific places.
D2.Geo.2.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
D2.Civ.1.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.

Virginia

Skill.2.b — The student will apply history and social science skills to the content by applying geographic skills to identify and understand geographic features and connections.
Skill.2.i — The student will apply history and social science skills to the content by using content vocabulary to demonstrate comprehension.
USI.1.c — The student will apply history and social science skills to understand the geography of North America by locating the 50 states.
2.11.b — The student will apply history and social science skills to develop geographic mapping skills using world maps and globes by identifying major rivers, mountain ranges, lakes, and other physical features in the United States.
Skill.2.c — The student will apply history and social science skills to the content by demonstrating curiosity and critical thinking through questioning and drawing conclusions.

Washington

G1.4.2 — Investigate the physical, political, and cultural characteristics of places, regions, and people in the Pacific Northwest, including the difference between cities, states, and countries.
E2.4.2 — Identify the basic elements of Washington state’s economic system, including agriculture, businesses, industry, natural resources, and labor.
G1.3.2 — Investigate the physical, political, and cultural characteristics of places, regions, and people in North America, including the location of the fifty states within the regions of the United States.

Washington, D.C.

1.18 — Compare the features of a city, county, state, country and continent.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

West Virginia

SS.3.19 — Compare and contrast regions of the United States in regard to plant and animal life, landforms, climate and human interactions with the environment.
SS.3.13 — Distinguish between a continent, country, state and capital.
SS.5.17 — Compare and contrast the various regions of the United States; locate each of the fifty United States and correlate them with their regions.
Use maps, graphs, photographs, and other representations to describe places.

Wisconsin

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
SS.Geog2.d.4-5 — Summarize positive and negative factors of cities. Identify the location and patterns of cities within our state and country.
SS.PS1.a.K-1 — Describe symbols, songs, and traditions that identify our state and country. Assess the importance of rules and laws at home, in school, and in the community.
SS.Geog4.a.4 — Describe how certain places may have meanings that distinguish them from other places (e.g., cemetery, places of worship, state or national parks, historical park, or battlefield). Compare and contrast the human characteristics of rural, suburban, urban, and tribal locations in Wisconsin and the United States. Identify and describe how people may view places in the community differently (e.g., students and senior citizens responding to a new playground).

Wyoming

SS2.5.2 — Physical Place and Region Identify, describe, and use local physical and human characteristics to discuss the similarities and differences between parts of the community (e.g., neighborhoods, schools, towns, and reservation communities). RL.1.2, RL.2.3 RI.1.3, Rl.2.2, RI.2.10 W.K.2, W.K.7 W.1.1, W.1.7 W.2.1, W.2.7 SL.K.4, SL.1.4, SL.2.2
SS5.5.2 — Physical Place and Region Explain how physical features, patterns, and systems impact different regions and how these features may help us generalize and compare areas within the reservation, state, nation, or world. RL.3.2, RL.4.7, RL.4.9 RI.3.3, RI.4.3, RI.5.3 W.3.2, W.3.7, W.4.2.b W.5.2.b W.5.7 SL.3.4
SS5.5.3 — Human Place and Movement Describe the human features of an area (e.g., language, religion, political and economic systems, population distribution, and quality of life), past and present settlement patterns (e.g., Indigenous Tribes of Wyoming and the Oregon Trail), and how ideas, goods, and/or people move from one area to another. Benchmark_Component Sub-Item :SS5.5.3.a.i Human Place and Movement Describe how cultural values of the Indigenous Tribes of Wyoming influence the importance and preservation of place and sacred sites (e.g., Devils Tower/Bear Lodge, Hot Springs State Park, Vedauwoo, Crowheart Butte, Bighorn Medicine Wheel, Estes Park, Yellowstone, Heart Mountain, and Wind River Mountains). Benchmark_Component Sub-Item :SS5.5.3.a.ii Human Place and Movement Describe and identify a variety of place names and their connection to Indigenous Tribes of Wyoming. RL.3.2, RL.4.7, RL.4.9 RI.3.3, RI.4.3, RI.5.3 W.3.2, 3.7, 4.2.b, W.5.2.b, 5.7 SL.3.4
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SS2.5.1 — Spatial Use a map, globe, and mental mapping to identify familiar areas and simple patterns and create maps using various media. 2-ESS2-2