Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123
Curriculum Mini-Lessons
Created as part of the 2004-2005 Classroom Mini-Grant Program

Title:  Exploring the States
Subject:  Social Studies
Grade Level:  4

Overview:  Students will explore the five themes of geography - location, region, interaction, movement, and place - in relationship to the state that they are assigned.

Purpose:  To help the students make the connection between the five themes of geography and each state being studied

Resources and Materials:  Social Studies textbook, Regions, and library books on the states

Internet Address: http://www.50states.com/  

Activities:
1.  After completing chapters 1 and 2 in the social studies text, discuss the factors that make up and affect the environment and people of our country.
2.  Access the website, “50states.com”
3.  Pass out a “State of the States” worksheet with the name of a state already filled in, and instruct the students to research the website to find the necessary information to complete the worksheet.
4.  Have the students find other reference materials at the library for additional state information.
5.  Have the students create a state poster reflecting information about the relative and absolute location, region, interaction, movement of goods, and natural and manmade landmarks of their state.

Evaluation:  Completion of worksheet. Creation of poster according to specified criteria on teacher created rubric.

Created by Marian Dinolfo
Last Updated on 12/2/05