LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Thanks to all who responded to my querry about projects/activities for a
study of U.S. Geography.
1.http://www.eduplace.com/projects/nj.html
To obtain information from fourth graders throughout the state of New
Jersey regarding what they like to do for fun in their specific area of
New Jersey. To obtain information regarding what fourth graders find
interesting or unique about their town.
2. Try the North American Quilt, an online project starting at the end
of the September <http://www.onlineclass.com/NAQ/NAQhome.html>. It lasts
for ten weeks as the participating schools collaborate on researching
their own region's physical, historical and cultural geography, posting
their findings on a collaborative Web site. The kids share activities
and conversation by Web and e-mail.
3. Matt Rosenberg's Geography Site at About.com :
http://geography.about.com
4. There’s a commercial production, and copies can be ordered for each
student. It unfolds into a
US map. A teacher brought this in last year and the students tried it.
Students are given a list of historical/national
parks across the country and have to plan a trip visiting (I think) 5
different sites. I looked at it briefly over the summer with an eye to
fulfilling our Virginia Standards of Learning, and the end project could
be a spreadsheet or, as it was done by the students last spring, a
report that is keyboarded into a word processing program.
5.You could have each student draw a state name out of hat and give them
an outline of information to find. Then have the students take that
information and develop a travel brochure or you could have older
students create a database of their information that the younger
students could use for research (secondary source).
6.I read "Coast to Coast with Alice" about the first woman to drive
across the states to 4th and let them trace the route and recall facts
at the end of each session for quick note taking practice.
7.Our fifth grades are currently working on a US project. The students
are researching regions of the US to create a news broadcast. It will be
video taped. Each presentation will include examples of aerial,
topographical, political, and physical maps. I thought it was a great
idea for studying the US as well as different types of maps.
8.I am collaborating with one of my fourth grade teachers on a State
Scrapbook. Each student is selecting a state and will be using the
almanac, atlas, state books, and the Internet to find the required
information. Once the student completes his scrapbook page it will be
bound into a book for the whole class. We think students will be
motivated to
read what their classmates have learned and thus learn about the entire
U.S. The teacher determined the items to be included on the page and
has developed a rubric.
There are 5 categories:
Map of state--capital, major cities, major rivers/landforms
State information--at least 3 of the following: flower, song, flag,
tree, motto, etc.
State Statistics--population, major industries, climate
Government Information--# of U.S. Representatives and # of U.S. Senators
Unique/Interesting Information-- 3 facts
Rubric included these 5 categories + neatness
A: Does not include a map
Does not include any state information
Does not include any state statistics
Does not include any of the government information
Does not include any of the unique information
Page is not readable
B. Includes one item on the map
Includes one state information fact
Includes one item of the state statics
Includes one item of the government information
Includes 1 fact or interesting information
Page is readable, not very neat
C Includes 2 items on the map
Includes 2 state information facts
Includes two items of the state statistics
Includes all items of the government information
Includes 2 facts of interesting information
Most of page is neat and there is some color
D Includes all three items on the map
Includes all three state information facts
Includes all three items of state statistics
Includes all 3 facts of interesting information
Page is very neat and very readable and colorful
I designed a "data chart" with 6 columns (one for resource and one for
each of the areas. We discussed which resources were best for which
information--ie. almanac for population. Students did 2 sessions in
LMS--intro to Big6 & planning and then mini lesson on resources. They
then came back with data sheets and gathered necessary information.
They could check out individual state books and/or I would photo copy. 2
pages for them. They were to gather all information and complete
scrapbook page at home.
9.Click Here: <A
HREF="http://www.notfrisco.com/almanac/indexa.html">The California
Almanac</A> I thought this was a good idea for state study. Maybe kids
could make their own.
10.I will send this to the list, in case some of you do not know of this
site...it is a wealth of state information, and is simple to remember:
http://www.50states.com
11.The pamphlet/paper is published by Interaction Publishers, Inc., (dba
Interact), 1825 Gillespie Way #101, El Cajon, CA 92020-1095. (619)
448-1474 or (800) 359-0961. The team has to plot a course from San Diego
to Bangor, visiting 15 points of interest. I believe our teachers
amended this project a little. One could build a spreadsheet or
database of things about each site.
12. I am referring you to one of our fifth grade teachers that has his
kids creating multimedia projects on the states. He may be able to give
you a better idea of what his program is. Here is his address: Russell
Johansen russellj@orca.esd114.wednet.edu
--
Roz Goodman, Media Specialist
Southwest Region Schools
PO Box 90
Dillingham, AK 99576
907-842-5287, FAX 842-5428
rgoodman@dlg.swrsd.gcisa.net
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