Virginia SOL USI.1

USI.1 is a Standards of Learning history and social science standard. These are the skills expectations under it.

• USI.1.a

  locating North America in relation to the other continents and the oceans

• USI.1.b

  locating and describing major geographic regions and bodies of water of North America and their impact on the early history of the United States

• USI.1.c

  locating the 50 states

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use maps to identify North America, nearby oceans, major land regions, bodies of water, and all 50 states. They explain how geography shaped early settlement, travel, and trade.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students accurately label key features and states on a blank map. They use relative location words and give a clear example of how one feature affected early history.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often confuse continents, countries, regions, and states. They may reverse the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, misplace major rivers, or describe geography without linking it to human choices.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a blank map and ask them to label two oceans, three regions, two bodies of water, and five selected states. Add: Explain one way a labeled feature shaped early settlement or travel.

1. 01

   Have pairs assemble a cutout map of North America, then label regions, oceans, major rivers, lakes, and all 50 states.

2. 02

   Ask students to write: How did the Appalachian Mountains or Mississippi River shape early travel, settlement, or trade?

3. 03

   Play map relay with state, region, and waterway cards that teams place on a large blank floor map.

4. 04

   Students plan a modern road trip across three regions, then compare their route choices with challenges faced by early travelers.

• 1.6

  The student will apply history and social science skills to develop geographic skills by

• USI.2

  The student will apply history and social science skills to describe how early cultures developed throughout North America by

• USI.3

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain European exploration and colonization in North America by

• K.7

  The student will apply history and social science skills to demonstrate an understanding of maps and globes by