If you are focusing on one particular state or region, you may wish to present the United States political map transparency first so that students understand the specific state or region in relation to the rest of the country. If you are concentrating on a specific map skill, such as latitude and longitude or elevation, it may be helpful to first present the entire United States map and then “zoom in” on the area that you’re focusing on to teach the skill. You can also give students a quick “tour” of the United States by describing some of the important or interesting places, physical features, and cultural aspects. A world almanac is a handy tool for providing simple background information!