There are several parts to the State Research Project for 5th Grade. These activities will take a great deal of effort, so we will spend several months to complete them. Some work will be done at home, some will be done at school.
The following are the various parts of this project (check off when completed).
1. Email the state tourism office to request information, brochures and a map of the state.
2. Gather your resources for your research paper (5 paragraph report). You must have a minimum of 4 varied resources of the following: 1+ books, 1 encyclopedia excerpt, 1 internet source. (school and home)
3. Fill in the "facts at a glance" table with the most up-to-date information possible (check http://state.1keydata.com/california.php or http://www.50states.com/ or www.infoplease.com, or http://www.postcardsfrom.com/t1/971013.html ). (homework)
4. Submit a bibliography (include in final report).
5. Complete an outline for the report(use outline template-include in final report). Make note-cards.
6. Written 5 paragraph report (rough draft at school –final draft copy to be done at home). Use teacher outline provided as model
7. At least two different types of hand-drawn maps (#1 political, #2 physical, product/manufacturing, population density, etc). check http://www.50states.com/maps/ for blank maps (homework)
8. A Power Point Presentation following teacher template that covers major sections of your written report. (school) State song MIDI files can be found on www.50states.com
9. State float* displaying symbols of the state. (homework)
*Alternate Plan: A state paper quilt that includes the same content criteria as the float.
10. Oral presentation of your state with the Power Point (3-5 minutes in length).
Major Due Dates:
______________1. Written 5 paragraph report final copy including the:
Ø Cover with hand-drawn state flag, student name, state name
Ø bibliography
Ø report outline, note cards and rough draft
______________2. State float or quilt
______________3. Power Point Presentation
______________4. Oral presentation with PPT (3-5 minutes)
**late work will be marked down by 10%
Student signature ______________________
Parent Signature
**The entirety of the report information can be found on LennonSJS.blogspot.com
Grading:
Score | Subject | |
Copy of state seal-hwk | /5 | Social St. |
Two different types of maps-hwk | /40 | Social St. |
"Facts at a Glance" table - hwk | /20 | Social St. |
Written 5 paragraph report final copy including the: Ø Cover with hand-drawn state flag, student name, state name, teacher, grade, date Ø graphics(maps, charts, pictures) Ø bibliography Ø report outline and note cards Ø rough draft | /200 | Writing |
State float or quilt -hwk | /100 | Social St. |
Power Point Presentation | /100 | Social St. |
Oral presentation | rubric | Social St. |
A Floating Parade
In celebration of the rich heritage and emblems of their state, students design model state floats for the parade. Each student should decide what the float will communicate to observers, then draw pictures of the float, and finally make a model of the float. Each model should be put on display and accompanied by an index card that explains the design and details of the float.
For instance, a float of Florida Louisiana would feature a jazz and Mardi Gras theme and New York
Research To help plan the float, students need to research basic info on the state.
Ø State Flag
Ø State nickname (such as The Sunshine State or The Golden State)
Ø Famous landmarks, attractions or events
Ø Other symbols such as state tree, colors, flower, emblem, etc.
Ø Decide on a theme or design
Construction
1) Students start with a box (cereal or boot boxes work well-max size 12x18)
2) if making a paper quilt, quilt squares should be 3x3 or 4x4 (inches)
3) Cover the box with attractive colored paper
4) Add your symbols and diorama figures (sturdy like tag board or cardboard)
5) Use your imagination in making it as attractive as possible
6) Make sure to use a variety of materials
7) Students do NOT have to spend lots of money on materials nor buy figurines, look around your house, garage or see if we have supplies here at school.
Grading:
State floats or quilts will be graded on the following criteria:
Content: Your float (or quilt) must include the following minimum 12 items:
1. State Flag (5 points)
2. State nickname (such as The Sunshine State or The Golden State) (5 points)
3. State colors (5 points)
4. Date state entered into the union (5 points)
5. 4+ famous landmarks, attractions, events, key products, or industries (20 points)
6. 4+ symbols such as the state tree, flower, emblem, etc. (20 points)
Plus:
1. A title index card with your name (5 points)
2. Name of state must be prominently displayed (5 points)
3. An index card that explains the design and details of the float (how you made it and with what). (5 points)
4. neatness and quality of workmanship 25 points (20 points if only do the minimum)
Due Date: Tuesday, Jan 31 **late work will be marked down by 10%
They will be displayed for Open House on February __2__.
Facts at a Glance
BY _______________________________________
Name | |
date entered statehood | |
state abbreviation | |
state capital | |
state population (as of 2005) | |
state nickname | |
state colors | |
state bird | |
state flower | |
state _______________ | |
state _______________ | |
state _______________ | |
largest city | |
Major Sports teams | |
slide #1 | Cover ____state name- ____1-2 pictures/symbols that represent state ____author ____teacher name ____school ____year |
slide #2 | State symbols ____state flag ____state nickname ____ 2-4 other symbols of state |
slide #3 | Basic Facts ____capital ____statehood ____population ____largest city ____ 2 own choice |
slide #4 | Geography ____location in US ____political map with capital |
slide #5 | History ____important dates ____famous people |
slide #6 | Geography ____physical map ____describe region |
slide #7 | Climate |
slide #8 | Economy ____major industries ____major crops/products ____Tourism (why people visit the state) |
slide #9 | Conclusion explain what makes your state a great place to live or visit |
slide #10 | bibliography with links used |
State Report
1. COVER
List the following information on your top cover sheet:
Title (name of your state)
Name (your own, first & last) and number
Grade (5th Grade or Fifth Grade)
Teacher (Mrs. Lennon)
Date (Date that report is due)
Include hand drawn state flag
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS-- Pg. 2
List topics and page numbers. Do this page last.
3. Paragraph 1 --INTRODUCTION- -- Pg. 3
Write about these using complete sentences:
a. Include the name of your state
b. Briefly describe what you will be writing and showing in your report such as interesting facts
the reader will learn about (why should others want to live or visit there)
c. Location, bordering states and/or countries
4. Paragraph 2 HISTORY-- Pg. 4
Write about at least one of these topics: *Statehood* Explorers* Indian tribes * Settlers * Government* Past and current events * Wars and battles, famous people
5. Paragraph 3 GEOGRAPHY and CLIMATE-- Pg. 5, 6, 7
Write about the geography and climate of your state- (how does the geography affect
the climate?)
a. Make a physical map with the state capital and the major cities.
· It should also include at:
· Rivers and other bodies of water
· Physical features (forests, mountains, plains, deserts, valleys, caverns, caves, canyons, etc.)
· Major points of interest (historical and recreational sites)
b. Make a map or chart about one of the following:
· Average rainfall (precipitation)
· Average temperatures (summer and winter)
6. Paragraph 4 NATURAL RESOURCES / INDUSTRY/ PRODUCTS -- Pg. 8
Write about the natural resources/industries/products of your state (crops, mining, industries)
You can include pictures, or a map or chart
7. Paragraph 5 CLOSING PARAGRAPH (CONCLUSION) Pg. 9
Answer these questions using complete sentences for each category.
a. What is the most interesting thing about your state? Why?
b. Why should others want to visit or live there?
c. Tell about three things everyone should know and remember about your state (you should have already gone into detail about them in the report.
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY - Pg. 10
List at least four resources you used for your report. It must include books, an encyclopedia, and internet source.
9. Report Rough Draft with corrects shown
10. Report outline
11. Note cards
STATE REPORT OUTLINE
Title ______________________________
I. Introduction paragraph- brief – do not go into detail
Thesis (main topic )__________________________________________________
A. ____________________________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________________________
C. ____________________________________________________________
Conclusion _________________________________________________________
II. Body Paragraphs
A. topic________________________________________________________________
1. support #1_________________________________________________________
2. support #2_________________________________________________________
3. support #3_________________________________________________________
4. support #4_________________________________________________________
conclusion_________________________________________________________
B. topic________________________________________________________________
1. support #1_________________________________________________________
2. support #2_________________________________________________________
3. support #3_________________________________________________________
4. support #4_________________________________________________________
conclusion_________________________________________________________
C. topic________________________________________________________________
1. support #1_________________________________________________________
2. support #2_________________________________________________________
3. support #3_________________________________________________________
4. support #4_________________________________________________________
conclusion_________________________________________________________
III. Concluding Paragraph – review- do not go into detail
Thesis (repeat main topic )__________________________________________________
A. ____________________________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________________________
C. ____________________________________________________________
Conclusion ________________________________________________________
5 Paragraph Expository Essay –rubric
Expository/Informational
_____ Has a well developed topic paragraph
_____ Has a well developed conclusion paragraph
_____ Has at least 3 supporting paragraphs
_____ Has detail sentences that make sense, no run-ons
_____ Vocabulary varied, appropriate, descriptive
_____ Facts are correct
_____ All sentences begin differently, varied (* no two sentences begin the same)
_____ paragraphs with topic/ conclusion sentence.
_____ Spelling and grammar are correct
_____ Uses correct punctuation ( ) , : ” “
_____ Capitalizes correctly
_____ Uses correct verb tenses throughout the report.
Writing style (boxed) 3 MINIMUM PER PARAGRAPH
_____ Quality adjectives
_____ Quality adverbs
_____ Strong verbs
_____ Uses because, who/ which clauses
