Exploring the Great Lakes

Explores the history of the Great Lakes region of North America.

Briefly describes activities to do around the Great Lakes, including fishing, bird watching, visits to the many cities and beaches that line the shores, and exploring the numerous islands and lighthouses found there.

Describes the plants and animals found in and around the Great Lakes, including sugar maples, salmon, and gray wolves as well as how they are affected by the people who live there.

Describes the waves of settlers that have inhabited the Great Lakes region, including Native American tribes, European explorers, settlers and the people that live there today.

Describes pollutants and invasive species that are harming the Great Lakes as well as native species and resources that are unique to the Great Lakes while presenting ways that people can stop the pollution.

The historical significance of the Great Lakes region stretches from thousands of years ago to the present day. Home to factories, important historical landmarks, and miles of coastline, the Great Lakes region is steeped in the past, but looking ahead to the future. Readers follow the growth of the Great Lakes, beginning with early battles to settle and control the region. Sidebars add to the main contents discussion of significant events, while readers travel through the areas past with the help of photographs and historical images. Colorful maps of the region show readers where history happened and introduce the regions major rivers, states, and landforms.

The Great Lakes watershed can be traveled from end to end from the St. Lawrence River all the way to Duluth, Minnesota. In order for that to happen, man-made waterways had to be constructed to bypass rapids and aid ships moving from one water depth to another. Readers travel the basin through main content that includes geography, history, and interesting details that tie it all together. Descriptive maps of the region aid understanding and complement map skills emphasized in the social studies curriculum. Readers see how all the waterways work together to make one vibrant region. Conservation Themes, Detailed Table of Contents, For Further Information Section, Glossary, Historical Context Overview, Index, Maps, Science Content, Sidebars, Social Studies Content.

The Great Lakes region offers so many places to visit, it s hard to pare down the choices! From the natural wonders of Niagara Falls and the Michigan sand dunes to the big-city fun of Chicago and Toronto, there s a lot to see and do. Readers take a tour of the region, including the beaches, famous lighthouses, and the most populous cities around the Great Lakes. Colorful photographs transport them to each new sight while maps aid in geographical understanding of the Great Lakes watershed. Sidebars augment the main social studies content with further detail and interesting facts. Detailed Table of Contents, For Further Information Section, Glossary, Historical Context Overview, Index, Maps, Sidebars, Social Studies Content.

Native people have been living around the Great Lakes for thousands of years. As European settlers arrived, they soon learned that the land around the Great Lakes was an ideal place to settle. Readers learn the history of Great Lakes settlement and much more. Full-color photographs showcase the lakes beauty, while social studies content introduces the many cities in the region. From the mammoth metropolis Toronto, Ontario, to the struggling cities of the Rust Belt, the population centers around the Great Lakes change, survive, and continue to depend on the Great Lakes for transportation, industry, and recreation. Cultural Background , Detailed Table of Contents, For Further Information Section, Glossary, Historical Context Overview, Index, Maps, Sidebars, Social Studies Content.