Lesson Outline: Tasks and Procedures

Title Page – This will include the name of the state, the student’s name, the homeroom teacher’s name, and the date. It will also include a picture of the state. This may be a hand drawn illustration, photograph, or copy.

Table of Contents – This should contain the key topics that are included in your report, starting with the map (3).

Map – Create a detailed map of your state and its neighbors. This map includes: a scale, key, capital city, major cities, rivers/lakes, and a compass rose. This is to be student created.

State Resource Map – Using an outline of your state, create a state resource map by including a key with symbols for products found in your state. Then, draw the symbols on the portion of the state in which you can find those products. See the example in the packet.

My City - Use the page provided to organize information for your state capital.

Historical Timeline – Make a timeline of 8 – 10 major historical events that have happened in your state. Only use the most important events and make sure that you include recent history, too!

Economy Quilt – Present information about your state’s economy. Write a one-paragraph (4 sentences) explanation for each section of the quilt. Include the following information: the product, the money it makes each year, and where you would find it in the state.

Population Graph – Make a graph to highlight the population of your state’s four largest cities.

Famous People – Include information about 2 famous people that were born in your state. Use the snapshot page to draw or paste appropriately sized illustrations. Beneath each illustration, write a brief biography of the historical figure and explain his or her significance.

Interesting information – Include information and an illustration or graphic about the following: state bird, state tree, state flower, state flag, state motto, and state nickname. Don’t forget to include a sentence about each.

Points of Interest (‘Must See Attractions’) – Students must include information about and a picture of 3 interesting places to visit within the state. Tell me why tourists would visit these attractions. Why would you go there?

Evaluation – Included is an evaluation sheet. Don’t forget to write in complete sentences.

Bibliography – Students are required to use a minimum of 3 resources. Please see the bibliography directions in the packet.

Parent Signature – In this packet you will find a sheet that will include a space for a signature from a parent or guardian. Please have them sign this and include it at the end of your report.

Presentation – Prepare to present your state in class. You may plan on having 3 – 5 minutes to present: 1).What are you the most proud of? 2).What was the most interesting piece of information you learned about your state? 3). How could you have made your report even better? You may bring in any artifacts or souvenirs to share with the other students.

Extra Credit – 1. Present your project in more than one format (board and report). 2. Create a travel brochure representing your state. 3. Design 3 postcards that represent your state. The postcards need to show creativity and effort. They must be student created.

Online Teaching Strategies Used:


The timeline of this project will be six weeks. Students will submit a weekly entry on the blog, a weekly progress report to the teacher, a midterm check will be done on week 3, PowerPoint project will be due week 6.

Tasks and activities: Along with having online resources, students will have access to seeing student examples of previously graded state reports found in a folder on the school server. For students that have exceptions written into their IEP, there will be hard copies and examples of non-electronic formats for their viewing in the classroom. Second language students will be provided one on one support with the Bilingual paraeducator.

Software used: Scott Foresman Social Studies Online Curriculum http://www.ca-hss.com/sf/client/login/login.html


Multimedia/Video/Audio/Powerpoint used: Microsoft Powerpoint


Web Links, Resources, and References: http://www.classbrain.com/artstate/publish/; http://www.50states.com/; www.nebo.edu/misc/learning_resources/states.htm; http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/states/; http://www.50states.com/; http://www.netstate.com/; http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/; http://www.multcolib.org/homework/stateshc.html; http://us.countryreports.org/; http://www.infoplease.com/states.html; http://www.globalcomputing.com/states.html; http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/funfacts/funfacts.html