Geographically Challenged

Maybe you've seen this link before, the game in which you drag and drop the U.S. states into their proper location.  My parents sent it to me this week and suggested I let the kids try it.  Kids, schmids.  I spent a ridiculous amount time trying it myself, battering my self-esteem and calling into question the credentials of every social studies teacher I've ever had.  I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person--so how is it I am 36 years old and cannot locate New Jersey within 287 miles?

(I did, however, in a dazzling display of mediocre geographical skills, positively nail Texas and Florida.  The lesson in that is that you wouldn't want me as your navigator unless you're driving through a state with a significantly identifiable hump.)

Here's my theory: unless you're a geography buff, you tend to be most familiar with the areas in which you live or around which you've traveled at length.  For example, I can get a spot-on perfect score on any state that contains an SEC school.  I once lived in Chicago, so I can correctly place the states that border the Great Lakes.  I've traveled a lot around Colorado, so I can usually get the western states in their spot.

BUT. 

I'm of absolutely no use in New England.  It always surprises me to realize how far east Pennsylvania is, and I couldn't even begin to tell you how Connecticut, Massachussetts, New Hampshire and Vermont all fit together.  

I'm not much better with the Midwest.  I always get Ohio and Iowa mixed up (even though they're nowhere close to each other--it's all those dang vowels in the name).  And it always surpises me that Illinois touches Kentucky; it just doesn't seem like it should, you know?

And I couldn't tell you why, but it feels to me that Oregon should be on top of Washington, not the other way around.  I know, that makes no sense.  But I'm a geography-by-emotional-intuition kind of girl, a trait which, you can imagine, my husband finds especially adorable on long road trips. 

So, do you think I'm right?  Do you American readers have parts of the country you can place perfectly, but other parts that confound you completely?  And if so, which ones?  And is there anyone--anyone--out there who actually understands how New England fits together?

(By the way, it took MANY tries--and a conscious effort at leaving my Oregon/Washington emotional baggage at the door--but I finally managed to score a 90%.  It was the best I could do.  What was your score?)

Comments

[SherrieB]

My 7th grade teacher gave us geography out the ying-yang - especially the states - I would have been very upset if I hadn't scored decent, and her too!! I got a 92% my first try with an error of 11 miles - wow is that a tough test - I'll have to keep the link for the future with my kids - thanks!!!

[Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers]

I'm so glad you posted that link. I was just thinking of that site the other day and couldn't remember where it was. The kids and I have been doing our Fifty State Fridays for a few weeks and I'm thinking I will do fairly well.

Off to see if I'm right...

[sharon]

This was fun. My first try was 92% - but I live in the mid-Atlantic where some of the harder states are. My problem is the west - Colorado, Wyoming; there just isn't enough information to judge by. Oh - and yes, I continually reverse Vermont and New Hampshire - I just can't keep them straight

[Kimmy]

Cool link! First try was 82 % w/avg error 29 miles in 10 minutes; 2nd try 94% w/avg error 5 miles in under 6 minutes. I was in the ball park but couldn't get my first 3 in the right position.

[Carol Busse]

I got a 78% right off, which I wasn't proud of. I was getting better as I fit each state in correctly. My kids would probably do better at it than I did...at least the older ones anyway.

Thanks for sharing the link.

[marian]

Thanks for the link. One of my kids will love this. I gave it one quick try and scored 90%, off an average of 11 miles. I think I could have done much better with a mouse-- I'm terrible with this laptop touchpad!

[tas]

86%, average error milage 44.....

canadian born and raised

[Melissa]

90% on the first try. I'm rather disappointed because I like geography!! I'm impressed that I got New England mostly correct (I'm from Northwest Arkansas) but I probably got them right because I treated it like a puzzle. I can't wait to let my 1st grader try it out.

[aSprinkling]

I actually did better than I thought I would. I did it twice and got a 94% and a 92%. I think that I know where a decent number of the states are because I have visited or driven through many of them at least once. New England is definitely the hardest for me, though. It helps that some of them fit nicely into the curves of the coast. :)

[Shoebee]

Got a 96% with mile error of 6miles. Not bad. It was my first try. I goofed with the first 2 states. I had the general area, but just far enough off that it said I was wrong. Growing up, my folks and I would drive cross country. So I think that helps a lot.

[Tara]

Okay, here's the problem. When they start you out on the square western states, you have nowhere to guess from! When they start you out with TX or CA at least you know where to start! I am from Iowa. I lived there for 20 something years. They gave me Iowa as my first piece once and I was off by some 70something miles!

[Vicky]

88% the first time, 90% the second time. My biggest problem was getting the states in the exact spot when they're in the middle and nothing else is there yet (i.e. Wyoming, Nebraska). I'd be really close, but off by a couple of "miles" and they'd say I was wrong. Other than that, my only problem was Delaware the first time. I put it up in New Hampshire. Oops!

Fun link though! Thanks!

[Jamie]

Only do to spending a year in an RV traveling to golf tournaments w/ my husband was I able to score a 94%.

[Diary]

66 percent. That is a problem!

[Heather]

I got an 88 on the first try. Although, I have to be honest and tell you that if I had gotten them in a slightly different order, it would have been much harder in the midwest and New England. Given the order I had though, it was just like putting a puzzle together...so, I think I sort of cheated. Sorry :)

[Jennifer]

First try - 84%, 42 perfect, 22 miles error. Yes, New England got me, too! I'm from the IL, IN, and TN. You can't get Iowa and Ohio mixed up --- they do farming in Iowa! :)

[Gwyn]

I didn't do too bad, the second time around (wink). I am curious to see how well my daughters would do...

[Stacy Quarty]

Geography? "I was absent that week," I always say.

[Everyday Mommy]

Thanks for a fun lunch-time distraction :) On my first try I scored 94%, 47 out of 50, average error 11 miles.

Adding this to my homeschool toolbox.

[Kara]

Fun game! I got an 88, avg. error 35 miles. My college roommate is from Boston, and when her friends were driving to visit her in Illinois, they were stunned to find Indiana...thought they'd be moving right from Ohio to IL. Oops!

[Dionna]

I scored 78%. But I don't think it's fair. Several states I was only a smidge off - so I obviously knew they went there but you have to be very precise on your accuracy!

[Tree Climbing Mom]

84%, but I should confess that I treated it like a puzzle and paid more attention to state shapes rather than names. I'd be totally up the creek if you gave me an unmarked map and asked me to point to Minnesota. Thanks for the link!

[Christine]

As an American Studoes major who went to school in New England, grew up in California, has relatives in Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania and LOVED her map of the United States puzzle at 8 years old (the year I did a cross-country road trip...nerd alarm bells should be ringing loudly right now), I got 90% on my first try, average error of 18 miles and 45 of 50 correct in 443 seconds. My biggest error was putting Rhode Island in Delaware's place. What can I say...they're both so tiny!

[Lady in a Smalltown]

I got an 84 with an average of 17 miles off. Partly because using my laptop touch pad sometimes makes me drop a state before I mean to, like Alaska. I can do everything east of and bordering the Mississippi without too much error (grew up in VT), but get me into those squared off states and forget it. States should have recognizable shapes.

As for your Oregon and Washington problem, I learned some mnemonics:
(going north) CA, OR, WA: first letter spells COW
(going east) CA, AZ, NM, TX spells CAN'T
(going south) MN, IA, MO, AR, LA spells MIMIAL, I am pretty sure it isn't a word, but I never forgot it

[RLR]

I'm feeling kind of nerdy - 92%, average error 26 miles. However, I get the opportunity to attend a yearly conference for my job - I've been to California, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Utah, and more. Traveling to places helps cement it all for me. Plus, the more states you have on the map, the easier it gets. I'm going to put this link on my blog, too - thanks for sharing it!

[Cherissa]

This was fun! Thanks for the link. I got a 90% on my first try.... but I think a lot of your score depends on which states you are given first. If you know the first ones well, then the later ones can just fit in like a puzzle.

Fun!

[Erin]

I got a 92% with 18 miles average error the first time. Of course between tending to my toddler and letting the dog out, etc. It took me 891 seconds-ha! I'm from Colorado, and I totally agree that it probably makes a big difference which states you get in the beginning...my first two were Pennsylvania and Kentucky--go figure! Not so great with either the South or the East when there aren't any other outlines to follow!

[Carrie]

I got 94% right off the bat with an average error of 14 miles. I've lived in the west all my life so have been flummoxed by the itty bitty eastern states many times in the past. I think it was the recent presidential election that had me working out which state was which and where it was... :)

[Kristen Penn]

I did pretty good with the east coast and southern states...(i live in VA) but when it came to all those square states out west....it was a guessing game! thanks for the link though it was a nice distraction at work for a few minutes!

[Leanne]

68% and my average miles error was waaay up in the hundreds. I know I don't even live in the country but it just seems like one of those things I should know.

[Hannah]

First try: 80% The east coast is hard, but the worst was the Midwest. How am I supposed to know exactly where South Dakota should go on a blank map? Most of the states I did place correctly were either distinctly shaped, or I've lived in them, or I could see the shape of the ridges in another state. Utah was the worst... (Sorry all ya Utahians)

[knit_tgz]

76% first try, didn't check a map. I am European, never ever lived in the USA. All those rectangular states make me confused ;)

Not bad, I think :-)

[MommyAmy]

Thanks for posting it! That was great fun!

I got 84% with 32 miles average error and 42 out of 50 perfect.

I'm originally from Oregon, and I didn't realize until I got to college outside of Boston that I was from, "One of those big square states out West." lol

[Normal to Natalie]

okay, well i won't be embarrasing myself with sharing my score...but i will say that any girl raised in arkansas should be able to place the sec states!!!

[Charlotte]

I am an Australian, never been to the US and I got 7 wrong, two of which were just a little to the left or right. I used to play a PC game that matched US states and capitals ( back when I was young) and I guess a lot of it stayed in my head somewhere.

[Lois Niss]

My first try was 94, ave error of 8 miles. Pretty good!
PS - I did study geography in college, but that was 20 years ago.
PSS - this is my first comment on a blog.

[April]

100% Woo hoo! Don't ask how many attempts it took me. Or if I did any laundry.

[Cydney]

My best score was my first try at 88%. What boggles my mind about New England is a couple of those states are so small I am suprised they can even be classified as a state.

[Lainie@ Mishmash Maggie]

What Oregon/Washington emotional baggage? Did I miss something?

[Tari]

first try 93% with 3 states off, second try 100%. but i grew up in the NE and have a midwestern husband, who has spent years saying things to me like "how can you not know IL is next to IN?" and so i finally learned.

[Fairly Odd Mother]

86% but I got all of New England perfectly! It's the midwest I screw up. I always think Kentucky is a southern state but it really isn't, and the "MidWest" is really more "east" than "mid", IMO.

[Stretch Mark Mama]

Ha! I was up until midnight last night, writing a post about geography resources, and YOU KNOW, playing several of the games I am recommending. There are some fun ones out there! Hopefully I'll get it done for WFMW. :)

I am a MESS with New England. All those little states! I get the Colorado area messed up as well, oh and the Southwest and I guess I switch AL/MS around too. :)

But I DON'T screw up Ohio, b/c I used to live there. But I have noticed that many, many people think I'm from Iowa. It's a brain thing.

[Krista]

Well, I love geography and having relatives all over the country that we've drive to helps! I got 92% and avg 9 miles wrong on my first try...

[MM]

But I'm a geography-by-emotional-intuition kind of girl, a trait which, you can imagine, my husband finds especially adorable on long road trips.

LOL! Love this. My husband find me adorable in these ways too. I think I need to remind him how adorable he thinks I am. :-)

[marta]

wow... this was fun. Took me 3 or 4 tries, but finally wound up with a 92% and 10 miles average error

[Jacqueline]

I got 100% but I'm an elementary school teacher so I think I had an unfair advantage (I teach this every year!)

[Britney]

I've seen another website where you can choose the states you want to put in first. It's much easier than being given a state and having to know where it goes!

My first try was a 90% with 18 mile average error. I'm pretty impressed with myself! BUT my disclaimer is that I teach 8th graders, so I get a good review every year when I help them study for their states and capitals test. :)

[Minnesotamom]

I always get mixed up in the middle west states (Utah, Nevada, etc.), but I think I was most off with Arkansas and Connecticut (I got Arkansas and Missouri mixed up). Still, I got a 92% my first try avg error 14 miles, which wasn't bad. I think I may have a new addiction...

[Linda]

My first try in FOREVER was 70%, with an average 90 mile area. It's addictive though. Thanks, really.

[Jennifer]

I thought I did pretty good but came up with 78% average error was 67 miles. This was hard but I've always been geographically challenged. When I am lost and call my hubby and he tells me to head south I ask him if south is right or left:)

Weekly Giveaways at The Mom Chronicles!

[Anna]

I received a 90% the first time because I was off an average of 32 miles on the placement of 5 states. Note, my placement actually overlapped the red area where it belonged. How in the world could you exactly place a state in the middle of the US without any landmarks. I think 32 miles off is just fine.

[Alison]

I am totally the same way with Oregon and Washington, even though my aunt and uncle have always lived there. I just always think Oregon should be on top! And then that's how I remember Washington is on top...weird! I don't have a problem with Ohio and Connecticut however, since I used to live in CT and I now live in Ohio. But the western states...EEK, I get them all messed up CONSTANTLY. I feel your pain. It's alright, you are not alone =D

[Amy]

"And it always surpises me that Illinois touches Kentucky; it just doesn't seem like it should, you know?"

You are hilarious!

And, 100% correct!

[Alison]

PS, I got an 88% but I had a lot of the states CLOSE to where they needed to be, but it said it was not right! I think they need to give a little more leeway, its especially hard at the beginning with the states in the middle, how are you supposed to get them almost EXACTLY where they go?? =D

[Faerylandmom]

On my first try, I got 88%. On my second, I hit 94%.

Guess my teachers done did a good job! :-)

[Jena (Organizing Mommy)]

That is a great site, especially for a non-homeschooler. For those who remember the Geography Songs--that is what pulled me through. I got 80% the first try and 90% on the second try.

Really fun!

[Dumb Daddy]

As a committed husband, father and minivan driver, I scored a 0.

And if you think I'm pulling into the gas station to ask for help, you're out of your mind.

[Pam]

I loved this!!!

[Rachel]

Fun! I got an 86% on my first try - and I think I'll let that grade stand. I figure I can be a B student :) I will however, post it on my blog and see how my own friends and family do!
I did better once I had more states to compare the locations to. Plopping that first state down in the middle of the country, I was bound to be off-target, even if I lived there, there was nothing next to it. ANYWAY, i'm pretty impressed with your 90%

[Jen]

That was too much fun! I got a 90% on my first try with an avg. error of 22 miles. I thought I would do worse than that. I think it might help to live in the midwest and to travel both ways!

[Diana]

I'm Australian and I managed a 64% (however, with an average error of 157 miles...). I think you're right about areas of familiarity thogh - I have visited California, Oregon & New York & we studied the American Civil War in high school so I've got most of the East Coast down pat (thanks, in large part, to an amazing History teacher who made us learn the relevant Geography too!). Everything in-between West Coast & East Coast though? Not much of a clue - turned into a bit of a jigsaw puzzle towards the end - just kept trying to match the shapes...

[Photoqueen]

86% - Those New England states are tiny and tricky!

[Kelly @ Love Well]

You're right. New England is the worst, although I suspect people who've lived there would do much better.

I scored 86% with a 23 mile error average. I chalk it up to all those election nights in the newsroom, staring at the electoral college map.

[Maria]

I got an 86% the first time -- my problem was New England of course - and then out west because when the map was open I just had to guess where to stick Colorado and Navada (The first two given to me) I know their general location but it sure doesn't give you much error room.

[Kori]

I got a 94% on my first try with 12 avg. error!! The only one I really missed was Wayoming... I tried to stick it in Colorado's spot... the others I was off by a couple of centimeters!!!

[margalit]

92% with an average error of 11 miles. I knew where everything went but some of the early attempts were off but a few miles.

I'm good at geography tho, and can do this with Africa, Europe, and Asia. South American is my personal bugaboo.

[Anne]

I'm going to go try this, doubt I will score 90%.
I found you blog because I found a rock in my washer today - compliments of my youngest. I've seen your link on Therinrins blog, so just stopping by to say hello.

[Amy from Occupation: Mommy]

Oh, thanks for a fun post-AI activity! I played twice, first time 90%, second time 92%. I live in Pennsylvania, so I actually was OK with the northeast. I think the western states are much harder. They are all so rectangular with very little in the way of clues (coastline, rivers...). And I know what you mean about Kentucky. What's with that?

[Julie]

Thanks for posting this! My six year old son is fascinated with the states and capitals. He got 45 out of 50, with an average error of 17 miles. WAY better than I could do!

[StumbleBee]

that was a wee bit depressing. now i know never to appear on "are you smarter than a 5th grader"

i will share this with my step-son, he may enjoy the almost video game appeal.

[StumbleBee]

Hmmm...I thought I already posted. I may be more than geographically challenged. Yes, I will never be appearing on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

[Judith]

LOVED this!
Did 90%. Like others, had the most trouble with unfamiliar places (nailed New England and East/ Southeast/ North/ Northwest/ etc. ) I had NO idea that Colorado was so far south! LOL I was also lucky with Missouri because it had to go in before the states I know around it.
Thanks

[Angie @ Many Little Blessings]

I got an 84% with an average error of 38 miles. It messed me up though that I had one error of something like 500 miles -- it's because I let go of the mouse accidentally. LOL That was a fun link, I'll have to send it to some family.

[Happy Geek]

74%. 83 miles.
I'm Canadian. Those NEw England states are rather tricky.
You all have a lot of states.

[The (Almost) Amazing Mammarino]

FUNNY!!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

There is an AWESOME children's book called "The Little Man in the Map" which has menemonics to help you remember all 50 states.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Man-Map-Remember-States/dp/0978510046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234356707&sr=8-1

They're very memorable; for instance, Michigan looks like a dog getting ready to grab a large mitten. My kids, ages 8 and 6 (who knew very few states) and I (who didn't know many more) sat down with this book and by the end could place nearly all 50 states! We reviewed once more, and then we could do all of them! Not bad for 30-45 minutes worth of work!

[Lindsay]

96%...I got Rhode Island 99 miles off and then South Dakota was early on in the game and I was some 200 miles off. Considering my 7th graders are doing a state capital unit and I have been quizing for a week...I should know it well.

[karen]

What's hard about this game is that the map doesn't have the state outlines! I know where each of the states go, just not to the exact centimeter!

[canadacole]

76% on the first try. New England is my best. I made a couple of "oops, I knew that" mistakes and several were very close together, so I knew generally where they went, just not specifically. And who can find Rhode Island anyway? Anyway, this Canadian girl will now be playing happily on this all day. Thanks!

[Barb @ A Chelsea Morning]

Thanks a lot for getting me completely hooked on this thing, Shannon. I refuse to stop until I hit 100%. I've lived all over New England and still have to stop and think about how the states fit together, especially the ridiculously tiny ones.

Alaska and Hawaii, however, are a piece of cake. LOL

[hil]

94%...I was off with Iowa and Kentucky by about 220 miles each. And I live in Missouri.

[JD in Canada]

That was so much fun!! Thank you so much for the link. I'm from Canada, but we studied U.S. geography in Grade 6, and I loved it. I memorized the states in alphabetical order, and I can still remember them. I did pretty good, 86% on the first try, within 37 miles. The states around Maryland mess me up a tiny bit, but otherwise it wasn't too bad.

Thanks again for the link!!

[Courtney@BooksnBoys]

I live in VA and after two tries, STILL CAN'T GET DELAWARE in the right place! Who needs Delaware anyways :p

[edj]

I'm hopeless at American geography, and my excuse was always that I grew up in Canada. I can place those provinces just fine, thank you ;) But you're right--geography is always easier if you've BEEN to a place. No wonder I get all those east and midwest places mixed up.

The west coast is pretty easy though. Only 3 states. How hard is that? ;)

(Why yes I am from Oregon/Washington. And the hubs is from Calif. How could you tell?)

[edj]

My first time I got 88%. I paid attention to the shapes of the states, and fitted them together like a puzzle, which helped.

[Lorie]

70% on the first try. Cool puzzle!

[Mab]

The first middle state you have to put in is what makes it so hard...
I was born and raised in California and now live in Oregon- just south of Washington :) but I have traveled in 49 of 50 states [I am missing Alaska] which probably helped.
Got a 94% with a 6 miles average error in 319 seconds [I have a cold and must pause to sneeze :) ]
Very fun!!!

[Mel]

Wahoo I'm up to 98% with average error of ONE MILE!!!!!!!!!

[Jessica]

How silly am I, at 31 years old, all excited to share that on my second try I got a 96% with an error of only 3 miles?!

[Vera]

Oh my gosh! I'm SO glad I'm not the only person who gets Ohio and Iowa mixed up - I thought I was crazy :) I got an 86% with an average error of 30 miles - it was those middle of the country states with no reference point (other state, ocean, Canada) to help me place it in just the right spot that messed me up... AND THAT'S WHERE I LIVE! Oops.