The Upper Grades class continued our study of North American geography. We took a closer look at the southeast region digging into the landforms, flora, fauna, and natural resources that have been utilized through time by the early humans, Native Americans, and European settlers. We looked into some of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of coal mining and cotton production in the region as well as the innovation, invention, and shift from laboring by hand to machine. To go along with each region we study, we are adding regional folk songs and tall tales that complement these themes. Our southeast regional study was also our launching point for an ongoing look at the Underground Railroad with stories of heroism and resistance that will carry forth as we look at the other regions of the United States more in depth over the next two weeks.