Civic Literacy Curriculum
This curriculum guide is intended to cover question 131.
Q131: Name one U.S. territory.
a. Puerto Rico
b. Guam
c. U.S. Virgin Islands
d. All of the above
In addition to the 50 states and the federal District of Columbia, the United States has several territories. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are found to the southeast, in the Caribbean Sea, while Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are in the Pacific Ocean. Except for American Samoa, residents of all of these have been gradually extended U.S. citizenship by Congress.
Puerto Rico and Guam were acquired in the Spanish American War. The United States assumed responsibility for the defense of the Northern Marianas Islands, formerly held by Japan, after World War II; the relationship eventually evolved to have a commonwealth status. The American part of Samoa was added in the late 19th century. (The German occupied part of Samoa passed into the administration of New Zealand after World War I before becoming independent in 1962, first as Western Samoa then simply Samoa.)
The Philippines, which was acquired in the Spanish American War (at the same time as Guam and Puerto Rico) was a territory for roughly fifty years before being granted independence after World War II.
Discussion Prompts for All Learners
The United States controls numerous territories around the globe, including Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. While the people there are under the protection of the government and are in most cases U.S. citizens, since the territories are not states they send a non-voting delegate, rather than voting representatives, to Congress.
Prompt 1:
The United States has a number of territories in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Each one has its own culture and form of government, and none of them have the same rights of states. Name one U.S. territory. Can you name any others?
Prompt 2
Initially, American territories were a part of the contiguous United States and places that were destined for statehood. But since the late 19th century, the country has added territories farther away, some of which have little to no trajectory of statehood (on the part of either residents or the US government), relatively little settlement from the mainland United States, and which are instead closer to guarantees of providing defensive protection. Some have argued this is a perfectly acceptable arrangement, provided that the people there are not seeking independence. Others argue that having such a relationship is more consistent with an empire, not a federal republic of states. Is permanent territorial status consistent with the American system? Or should the United States offer territories the choice of statehood or independence?
Lessons
US Territories
By Rachel DeChristina
Lesson Summary: Students will learn that the United States has acquired different territories over the years. By observing a map/globe or google Earth and then completing their own map, they will better understand these territories and their names.
Learning Objectives:
Students can identify U.S. territories.
Territorial Insights: Exploring U.S. Territories Through Jigsaw Learning
By Morgan Routh
Lesson Summary: In this lesson, students will take responsibility for one US territory and make a one-pager using USGS resources to understand territories. Students have the option to present Jigsaw-style.
Learning Objectives: Students will identify U.S. territories, their locations, and the significance of their relationship with the United States and write a one-pager about it.
**This lesson is part of a unit and covers:
Q119: What is the capital of the United States?
Q120: Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Q128: Name the two longest rivers in the United States.
Q129 +130: Between Two Oceans
Q131: Name one U.S. territory.
Q132: Name one state that borders Canada.
Q133: Name one state that borders Mexico.
Title: Fast and Curious Basic Geography
By Sheila Edwards
Lesson Summary: Students will use the “Fast and Curious” method to learn facts about some of America’s important physical and physiographic features. . Using this method, students take the quiz without frontloading information, and class scores are posted. The key geographical features will be taught briefly, and students will be quizzed again. Generally, after a quick review of most missed questions, students get a third chance, which is the grade used.
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to name and locate 12 physical or physiographic features of the United States.
The U.S. and its Territories Around the World
By Belinda Cambre
Lesson Summary: Students work in groups to learn about territories around the world that belong to the United States. They will learn about location, citizenship, and the reasons the U.S. maintains the territory.
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn that the U.S. has historically and presently controlled various territories worldwide. In some cases, the people of these territories are American citizens, but they do not all enjoy the same rights as American citizens here. These territories have benefitted the United States, either economically or defensively.