Different maps divide the United States into regions in different ways. Some maps put a state in one region, and other maps put the same state in a different region. For example, some maps put West Virginia in the Southeast region, and other maps put it in the Northeast region. This is normal. What matters is that all 50 states are included somewhere. In this class, we are using one specific map to learn about all the regions. Your map might be different from other maps you see online or in other books, and that is okay.

🇺🇸 My United States — The Midwest

Day 3: The Heartland (And Yes, It’s Cold)

Section 1 — Welcome to America’s Middle

The Midwest sits in the center (center = middle) of the United States. Twelve states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. If you fly into America, you might land in Chicago, Illinois – the third largest city in the country with nearly 3 million people. Chicago became a state in 1818. Detroit, Michigan became a state in 1837. Minneapolis, Minnesota became a state in 1858. These cities are entry points (entry points = places where immigrants arrive) for refugees and immigrants. The land is flat (flat = no mountains, level ground) – you can see for miles. Corn fields. Soybean fields. Highways that go straight forever.

Section 2 — The Cold Will Shock You

Let me be clear: Midwest winters are brutal (brutal = very harsh and difficult). Temperatures drop to -20°F (-29°C). Snow piles higher than cars. Ice covers roads for months. Wind cuts through your jacket like knives. If you came from a hot country – Guatemala, Somalia, Burma, anywhere tropical – your first winter will be the hardest thing you’ve experienced. You will need a heavy coat, boots, gloves, hat, and scarf. Frostbite is real – your skin can freeze in 10 minutes. But summers are hot and humid, reaching 90°F (32°C). Tornadoes happen in spring – spinning wind storms that destroy everything. When you hear the siren, go to the basement immediately (immediately = right now, do not wait).

Question: What is one weather danger in the Midwest?

Section 3 — Jobs That Immigrants Actually Do

The Midwest has real jobs (jobs = work that pays money). Manufacturing plants make cars, machines, and products – companies like Ford, General Motors, and John Deere employ thousands. Many immigrants work in these factories. Meatpacking plants in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas hire immigrants to process beef, pork, and chicken. The work is hard, cold, and repetitive, but it pays. Agriculture employs people to plant and harvest crops. Healthcare is growing – hospitals need nursing assistants, cleaners, and food service workers. Warehouses for Amazon and other companies need workers. The cost of living (cost of living = how much money you need for rent, food, and life) is lower than big coastal cities. You can rent an apartment for $800-1200 per month instead of $2000-3000.

Question: Name one industry where immigrants work in the Midwest.

Section 4 — You Will Meet Other Immigrants

The Midwest is full of immigrants who look like you. Somali (Somali = people from Somalia in East Africa) refugees live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The largest Somali community in America is here. You will hear Somali language, see Somali restaurants and shops. Hmong (Hmong = people from Southeast Asia who helped America during the Vietnam War) families live in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They came as refugees in the 1970s-1980s. Latino (Latino = people from Latin America) families from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras work in meatpacking plants and agriculture across the region. You will meet refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Congo who were resettled (resettled = moved to a new country as refugees) here. Chicago has huge Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Polish communities. The Midwest accepted refugees when other states said no.

Question: What is one immigrant group that lives in the Midwest?

Section 5 — Famous People and What Matters Here

People from the Midwest are known for being humble (humble = not bragging, down to earth) and hardworking. Famous people include Michael Jordan (basketball legend from Chicago), Eminem (rapper from Detroit who grew up poor), John Legend (singer from Ohio), and Lizzo (singer who lived in Minneapolis). The Midwest work ethic (work ethic = attitude about working hard) is real – people value showing up, doing your job, and not complaining. Community matters here. Neighbors help each other shovel snow, fix cars, and watch kids. Life is slower than New York or Los Angeles. People are practical (practical = focused on what works, not flashy). You won’t find as much diversity as coastal cities, but you will find stability, affordable housing, and real opportunities if you work hard.

Question: What is the “Midwest work ethic”?