UNIT TITLE: AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Author: Jacki Bernardi

E-Mail Address: JBern9020@mail.govst.edu

School: Sward Elementary: Oak Lawn, Illinois

THEME: 50 States

BROAD CONCEPT: Interdependence

GRADES: Fourth

INTEGRATED SUBJECTS: Reading, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, and Computers, and Art

UNIT GOALS AND PURPOSE:

During this unit students will research 2 to 3 states independently and learn about the others from their classmates. Students will be able to locate each state on a map and share important facts about each. They will learn how to take information from various sources and write a summary of what they have learned. Students will access information through the use of maps, books, and the Internet. They will write informational poems, create travel brochures, postcards, timelines, crossword puzzles, and a slide show presentation. The will use a computer to create some of the projects with a word processing program

HOW THIS UNIT WILL BE EVALUATED

The evaluation of this unit will be ongoing through various observations. The students will be graded on each project individually, how well they work independently and when playing Web Games with the class. All of the activities, projects, and assessments can be modified to meet the needs of students that are on an I.E.P.

TIME FRAME: 2 weeks 45-60 minutes each day until the unit is complete

OBJECTIVES:

In this lesson, students will:

Locate all 50 states on a map

Find 2 of the 50 states latitude and longitude

Tell which region each state is located in

Write an Acrostic poem about a state

Create a Kid Pix slide show on a state

Create a travel brochure for a state

Create a crossword puzzle using information gained through their research

Research two or three states independently and share information about each

Write a half page summary of what they learned about each of their assigned states

MATERIALS:

Paper

U.S. maps

Pen and pencils

Markers

Poster paper (for KWL chart)

Calculator

Dictionary

Ruler

Scissors

Travel magazines or brochures

Various postcards

Example of a KidPix slideshow

TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

At least two computers with Internet access

One computer that can display what is on the screen for the entire class to see

Printer

SOFTWARE USED IN THIS UNIT

Desktop Publishing

Word Processing

CD-ROM Encyclopedia

Kid Pix

AppleWorks

STATE STANDARDS ADDRESSED BY THIS UNIT:

Language Arts

1.B.2a Establish purpose for reading; survey materials; ask questions; make predictions;

connect, clarify and extend ideas.

1.C.1d Summarize content of reading material using text organization (e.g., story,

sequence).

3.A.2 Write paragraphs that include a variety of sentence types; appropriate use of the

eight parts of speech; and accurate spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

3.B.2a Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies (e.g., mapping,

outlining, drafting).

3.B.2d Edit documents for clarity, subjectivity, pronoun-antecedent agreement, adverb

and adjective agreement and verb tense; proofread for spelling, capitalization and

punctuation; and ensure that documents are formatted in final form for

submission and/or publication.

4.A.2b Ask and respond to questions related to oral presentations and messages in

small and large group settings.

4.B.2a Present oral reports to an audience using correct language and nonverbal

expressions for the intended purpose and message within a suggested

organizational format.

4.B.2b Use speaking skills and procedures to participate in group discussions.

5.A.2a Formulate questions and construct a basic research plan.

5.A.2b Organize and integrate information from a variety of sources (e.g., books,

interviews, library reference materials, web sites, CD/ROMs).

5.C.2a Create a variety of print and nonprint documents to communicate acquired

information for specific audiences and purposes.

5.C.2b Prepare and deliver oral presentations based on inquiry or research.

Math

6.B.2 Solve one- and two-step problems involving whole numbers, fractions

and decimals using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

6.C.2a Select and perform computational procedures to solve problems with

whole numbers, fractions and decimals.

6.C.2b Show evidence that computational results using whole numbers, fractions

and decimals are correct and/or that estimates are reasonable.

Social Studies

17.A.2a Compare the physical characteristics of places including soils, landforms,

vegetation, wildlife, climate, natural hazards.

17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather

information about people, places and environments.

Visual Arts

26.B.2d Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create works of visual art using problem

solving, observing, designing, sketching and constructing.

Lesson 1 (Introduction):

As an introduction to this unit the students will sit in a circle around a pull down map of the United States. Student will share with each other, which states they have been to and share information they know about any of them. After the students are done, they will create a KWL chart with the teacher. They will share with the entire class anything they KNOW about the 50 states. Everything will be written in the K column of the chart. A discussion will be started as to WHAT they would like to know or have ever wondered about any of the states. Everything that has been share will be written in the W column of the chart. What the students have LEARNED section of the chart will be left blank for now and completed when the research and presentations for the unit are complete.

Lesson 2

Students will write down on a sheet of paper 10 of the 50 states that they would like to learn something about. The teacher will have a map pulled down or allow the students to use their Social Studies book for help. The teacher will walk around the room and assign each child 2 or 3 states that they will be researching. The teacher will make every effort to assign each child at least one of their first choices, and make sure that all 50 states are being researched by someone. The students will then be assigned to find one interesting fact about each of the states they have been assigned and to share that fact with the class tomorrow. The students may share ANYTHING they wish about their states as long as it is true and age appropriate. (This activity will get the students excited about the unit and give them some control over what they are learning.)

Lesson 3

Students will do some research to find out the population of each of their states. They will be required to share with the class how many people live in their two or three states all together. The teacher will make sure to write the population of each state on the board, because these numbers will be used for this math lesson. The students will then be given various math problems to figure out. Some of the problems may include:

1. Which of the fifty states has the highest population? Lowest?

2. What is the difference between the highest and lowest population?

3. How many people live in both Illinois and Idaho together?

4. How many people live in all of the states that start with the letter C.

Lesson 4

Students will research their assigned states and find out about the agriculture, weather, when it became a state, famous people that came from or live there, and any other information they find interesting. After the students have found the information they need, they will type a half page report on each of their states. Students will share their information with the class in a short presentation. Websites that should be used for this lesson can be found in the Student Web Site Section of this Unit.

Lesson 5

Students will write an Acrostic poem using words or phrases that describe their state. Any word processing program may be used for this. An acrostic poem is a poem that uses the letters of a word to begin each line of the poem. The name of the state is to be written vertically on the page. An example is given below.

(Example)

F un in the sun

L ots of beaches

O ranges are grown here

R

I

D

A

Lesson 6

Students will research fun and excited things to do and see while visiting one of their assigned states. They will use the information they have gathered to create a travel brochure. Students should be sure to include the region their state is in, major cities, and sites that should not be missed. Apple Works or the like will be used to create the brochures and locate pictures to add to them.

Lesson 7

Students will create a crossword puzzle using interesting facts they have learned about a particular state. The clues may be anything that the student finds interesting and think their classmates will enjoying learning about too. Students should keep in mind that they are not trying to trick people when writing the clues but teaching them fun and important fact. The following websites will be used to create the crossword puzzle. Once the students are there, they should follow the directions carefully. http://www.edhelper.com/crossword.htm

Lesson 8

Students will create a timeline of important events that have taken place in their state’s history. The teacher will explain to the students that a timeline in an easy way of organizing information about important events and makes it easy to read. Some events that might be included are:

When the state joined the union.
Presidents that have visited or were born there.
Major weather events such as tornados, hurricanes etc…
When their state quarter was released.

The following website will be used to set up the timeline. The students should have all of the events and dates ready because they will only need to fill in the information and dates, and the program will do the rest.

http://teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timeline/

Lesson 9

Students will create a postcard from their state using KidPix. They will imagine that they have taken a trip to one of the states they have researched, and write a postcard to a friend or family member. The students should make sure they draw on the front of the postcard. They can draw something they might see or do there. When writing their letter, the students should also be sure to include famous places they have visited and why they like their state so much.

Lesson 10

The students will play a U.S map puzzle game where they will time how long it takes them to put all of the states where they belong. They may begin by working in groups of two and reviewing where the states belong, if needed. Then they will work on their own and see how fast they can put the states where they belong. The website they should use for this activity is listed below.

http://www.yourchildlearns.com/puzzle_us.htm

Lesson 11

As a class the students will play State Web Games. Students will stay at their seats while the teacher displays the computer screen on the TV. Students will work together in teams to find answers. If the teacher chooses he/she may play a game of teacher vs. students, this always gets the kids motivated. In this lesson, students will learn and recall state capitals, abbreviations, and over 500 other interesting facts about the 50 states. The website that will be used for this game is listed below.

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

Lesson 12

This lesson will be the culminating project. Student will create a KidPix Slide Show representing their state. They will create at least four individual slides. They should be creative, accurate and include information they think is important about their state. The name of the state and their name should be on the first slide. Some things they might want to include are the state flag, state flower, major cities, and its population.

A rubric for this lesson is at the end of this unit.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS:

Students will share their research with the class on a formal and informal basis throughout the entire unit. They will have a mini presentation on 2 or 3 states and also display their travel brochures and state timelines. They will exchange crossword puzzles with a classmate and present KidPix slide shows. Sharing will also take place when State Web games are being played together as a class.

STUDENT AND TEACHER ROLES: Prior to starting the Unit, a class discussion will take place about which states students have been to, would like to visit, or know people that live there. Students will be told about the discussion the day before and encouraged to bring in family photos of vacations taken in other states. The teacher will be sure to bring in some photo of her/his own to get the students excited about the upcoming unit on the 50 states. A KWL chart will be created to activate students prior knowledge about the states, think about what they would like to know and then later come back and fill in what they have learned. This is done to provide some sort of structure for their learning and research.

Journals will be used to record what they have learned about various states and what they find interesting. Overall, students are responsible and active participants in their own learning. Group activities are organized so that each student is engaged in their learning and has the opportunity to share what they have learned. Students have the opportunity to research what interests them and use various resources while doing so. All twelve lessons in this unit are designed to promote a fun and rewarding learning environment. The teacher’s role is that of the facilitator and guide. The teacher keeps things moving, models, explains, and encourages each individual.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE PRINT RESOURCES STUDENTS MAY USE:

World Book Encyclopedia

Textbooks

Maps

Magazines

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TOPIC:

Fabulous Facts About the 50 States by Wilma S. Ross

Anno’s USA by Anno Mitsumasa

The Look-It-Up of the 50 States by Bill Gutman; illustrated by Anne Wertheim

Exploring the 50 States by Marcie Anderson

In Times Past by Carol Otis Hurst and Rebecca Otis

Nifty Plates from the 50 States by Paul Beatrice

Library of Congress Book of Presidents by Martin W. Sandler

FOR ADDITIONAL ONLINE INFORMATION AND MEDIA PERTAINING TO THIS UNIT, TEACHERS MAY WANT TO USE THE FOLLOWING INTERNET ARTICLES:

Title1: USA State Map/Quiz Printouts and Answers

URL1: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/

Description1: This site has a printable quiz on the geography of each state and state

flag printouts too.

Title2: The Great State Mystery

URL2: http://www.anglefire.com/nj3/greatstates/introduction.html

Description2: This site contains a collaborative project that gives students the

opportunity to gather and analyze information about states

through the use of clues. There are also individual daily lesson

plans and rubrics in the teacher section

Title3: Color Landform Atlas of the United States

URL3: http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/states.html

Description3: This site contains shaded relief maps, county maps, and black

and white maps of all 50 states.

Title4: The US 50

URL4: http://www.theus50.com/zigintheusa.shtml

Description4: Teachers can find secret word puzzles and state quizzes

for the classroom.

Title5: ProTeacher

URL5: www.proteacher.com

Description5: This site contains news for educators, behavior management

ideas and lesson plans grouped by subject and grade level.

Title6: PBS Teacher Source

URL6: www.pbs.org/teachersource

Description6: This site has an enormous amount of resources for teachers.

teachers will find useful lesson plans and activities, and a

special section on technology and teaching.

Title7: American Folklore

URL7: http://www.americanfolklore.net/

Description7: This site is very unique and contains re-telling of American

folktales. This site also contains Native American myths, legends,

and ghost stories from each of the 50 states. Teachers can share

these with the class.

RELEVANT INFORMATION, STUDENTS WILL VISIT THE FOLLOWING

WEB SITES:

Title1: States and capitals

URL1: http://www.50states.com/

Purpose of Use1: Students will use this website when they are researching their

two states.

Description1: Students can find almost everything they need from his site. It

contains a wealth of information such as that names of state

capitals and state songs.

Title2: Explore the States

URL2: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es

Purpose of Use2: Students will use this site when they are looking for information

to present to the class.

Description2: On this page students can click on any state that they would like to

learn more about. This page also contains stories about different

interesting this that have taken place there, such as movies that were

made there and stories about the early days.

Title3: American States

URL3: http://globalcomputing.com/states/html

Purpose of Use3: Students will use this site for the same research as mentioned for

the above two sites.

Description3: Once on this page you can be directly linked to any states home

page. On each states home page student can get up to date

information about a certain states current weather, latest news, and

current governor and other helpful information.

Title4: Stately Knowledge

URL4: http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/stateknow/

Purpose of Use4: Students may use this site to find information

they are really interested in at their ages such as professional

sports teams. This can be used for their poems.

Description4: The Stately knowledge page will give students some fun

information to use in their reports such as state hockey teams, and

compare size of all the states. If they wish students may also write

in and ask questions about something that they may not be able to

find.

Title5: Yahoo—U.S. States

URL5: http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/U_S_States/

Purpose of Use5: This web site may be used to help students create a travel

brochure. The area guides and entertainment section will

be most beneficial for this.

Description5: Here you can find area guides, employment information,

Entertainment, education, community and culture and which

Cities are in that state.

Title6: Yahooligans! Directory

URL6: http://www.yahooligans.com/Around_the_World/U_S_States/

Purpose of Use6: Students will use this site to help them find more information

to help them create a state crossword puzzle.

Description6: In this site students will find a Reference: World Fact book

Grading Rubric

Name_____________________________________ Date____________________

KidPix Slide Show Total point possible Student Points

Used of variety of tools to create slides 20

Information is accurate and thoroughly 20

covered

Slides are well-organized 20

Presentation is focused on one state 20

Total 100

Grading Scale 100-90 A

89-80 B

79- 70 C

69-60 D

59 & below F