TRAVEL THROUGH THE REGIONS

OF THE GOOD OL' USA

Teacher Page

A WebQuest for 4th Grade Social Studies
Designed by
Shirley Carlson

Introduction | Learners | Standards | Process | Resources
 Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Student Page

Introduction

    This lesson was developed as part of the East Peoria Elementary School District 86 Webquest classes.
    For many people the chance to travel throughout the United States is a rare opportunity.  Many people never leave the state they live in, let alone travel to many different states.  This lesson is designed to allow students the opportunity to search the internet for information on different states throughout the United States.  They will use cooperative groups to complete projects designed to help them become "experts" on states.  They will then present their completed projects to the class.

This lesson is anchored in fourth grade social studies.  It also involves language arts and cooperative learning.

Prior to beginning this lesson, it would be very helpful for the students to have been introduced to the states in each region.  This would be an excellent cumulative lesson after the introduction to each region within the social studies curriculum for fourth grade.  Students research individual states and then present the material to the rest of the class.
 
 

Many of the Illinois State Standards are addressed in this web quest.  These are listed below.  For more information on these standards, follow the link above.

• Reading              1.A.2a,b; 1.B.2a,c; 1.C.2a,b,c,d,f
• Language            3.A.2; 3.B.2a,b,d; 3.C.2a,b; 4.A.2a,b; 4.B.2a,b; 5.A.2a,b; 5.B.2a,b; 5.C.2a,b
• Social Studies    16.D.2c; 16.E.2a; 17.A.2a,b; 17.C.2b; 17.D.2b; 18.B.2a,b

• Critical Thinking
• Creative Production
• Creative Problem-solving
• Teamwork

Your group's job is to complete the following tasks for each state assigned.  The group will consist of four specialists:  Architect, Producer, Human Resources, and Management.  The jobs of each of the specialists is given in the chart below.
 
 

Architect Map Research: Research the landforms of the state.  Be sure to include major rivers and any mountains. Locate these on the map using appropriate symbols. Pamphlet Design: Research the history of the state.  Write three or four paragraphs summarizing the history of the state.	Producer Map Research: Research major products (agricultural as well as manufactured) and any natural resources. Locate these on the map using appropriate symbols. Pamphlet Design Research the state symbols (motto, bird, flower, tree, animal, song, flag, nickname, dance, etc.)
Human Resources Map Research: Research at least five large cities, including the capitol. Locate these on the map using appropriate symbols.  Pamphlet Design: Research at least three famous people.  Write a paragraph about each person researched.	Manager Map Research:  Research five places of interest in the state. Locate these on the map using appropriate pictures. Pamphlet Design: Research at least three places of interest to visit in your state.  Write a paragraph about each place.

Design a map of your state that includes the following information.

• Landforms, including major rivers and lakes
• State capitol and major cities.
• Natural Resources, manufactured products, and agricultural      products.
• Places of Interest.

You have three sources for your blank map:

• Draw your own
• Check with your teacher
• Print a map from the internet.

Prepare a visitor's guide for your state which contains the following sections:

• Cover representative of the many state symbols
• Famous people from the state
• History of the state
• Interesting places to visit.

A good place to start is the US Map above.  By clicking on the state you are researching, you will go to a home page for that state.

Prepare a presentation for the class.  As a group, you will decide the following:

• How your group will present the information to the class.

What each member's responsibility will be.

 

ON-LINE Stately Knowledge Postcards from .... Capitals.com

OFF-LINE HBJ Social Studies Textbook Encyclopedias and/or Encyclopedia   Software Atlases and Atlas Software State Books

For this project, you will receive two different grades.  Each member will be evaluated on their individual section of the webquest pamphlet and map.   The group will also be evaluated on the presentation to the class.
The rubrics are available as a word document.  You may wish to download these rubrics to share with the students.

Through this webquest you have become an expert on different states throughout the United States.  Sharing your expertise with your classmates has helped them to become more knowledgable about the great country we live in.
Wouldn't it be awesome to plan a trip to one of these states?  How about the chance to really go there and visit?  If you have enjoyed the virtual tour of the United States, perhaps you are up for a Virtual Challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With all of your newfound knowledge of the Good Ole USA, you should have no trouble choosing a great state to visit!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am ready to take the Challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

The interactive map used on the web page was borrowed from the webquest Our United States.

A big thanks to Pam Olivito.  Without her expertise and help, this web quest would not have been possible!!!!!