Technology in the Social Studies Classroom

Introduction

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

This week we are going to be working together to complete multiple tasks using our computers. Remember using the computers is a privilege NOT a right. It is going to be an exciting week in Social Studies you are NOT going to want to miss out.  Here is some information to get you started.

After you have completed the activities contained in this WebQuest you will know and be able to apply some great information. You will be expected to know all the answers to the following questions:

  • The five themes of geography and how they related to a particular state.
  • Why historical events and people are important.
  • Understand the meaning of economics and why you should care to know.

Think about those statements/questions. What do you know? What sounds interesting? Some of us have ideas already. Let’s keep them to ourselves until whole group discussion. 

Task

We have been discussing United States History. This week you to take a closer look at an individual state within the United States. Your task will be to conduct research on a state that is assigned to you and your group.

After completing the required research materials your group will construct a Power Point presentation that accurately portrays the three questions that you are expected to learn.

-five themes of geography for that state

-historical events and people that have impacted that state

-economic information related to that state.

Process
  • You will be divided into groups of 2-3 students. Each group will give the name of a state.
  • Your groups task will be to conduct research on the state.
  • Remember what "group" stands for! Share the work and work together.

This might look like A LOT of information but, take our time and enjoy. You have ALL week to complete the tasks below.

Research Assignment:

1. Log onto Discovery Education and watch the "Five Themes of Geography." After watching the video, use information contained on the Fact Monster website to aid you in completing the following questions

  • What are the five themes of geography?
  • Name and describe the Location of the state that your group has been assigned.  Include the state name, include absolute information if possible, and include the relative information such as what states surround it.
  • Place is defined as an area and everything in it. How would you describe your focus state based on this definition?
  • What region is your focus state located in? (Consider the region of the United States, consider the continent, consider the hemisphere)
  • How does movement relate to your focus state based on the five themes of geography?
  • Describe the human-environmental interaction in the state your group has been assigned.

2.  Continue using the Fact Monster website to locate and print a blank copy of the United States map. After printing the map, locate the state that your group has been assigned. Color in the state using colored pencils. Write in the name of your state on the map. Using colored pencils, identify the different regions of the United States. (Make sure to include a color key to document what each color represents.)

3.Using the Fact Monster website, locate and print a blank copy of the state map that your group has been assigned. Document on your map the name of the state's capital city.

4. Complete the following questions using information found on the Fact Monster website.

  • What region of the United States does your state belong to?
  • What states surround your state?
  • Is your state surrounded by any bodies of water? If so, which ones?
  • What natural resources does your state have?
  • What mineral resources does your state have?

5. Examine the historical events and people that influenced this state. Determine what makes these events and people important. Document the findings on your own paper. You can use the information contained on the Fact Monster website or from your assigned state's home website to research this portion of the assignment.

6.Complete the followig questions about Economics. Use information contained on the Fact Monster website or the state's home website to aid you in this research.

  • Define the word economics. (you may use another website of a dictionary to answer this)
  • How would you describe the economy of the state your group has been assigned?
  • What is the current unemployment rate for your focus state?
  • What type of industry exists in your focus state?
  • What is the population of your state?
  • What is the average monthly income per family in your focus state?
  • What is the average monthly expense per family in your state?
  • Based on what you have learned through your research, why is it important to have a job?
  • What is the leading industry/profession in your focus state?
  • Do you feel that your focus state has a stable economy? If not, what changes do you thing should be made to improve the economy in this state?

History of your state.....choose one of the following to complete as a group.

  • Create a diorama that illustrates an event and or the people that have impacted this state. Use note cards to explain the contents of the diorama. Materials for completing the diorama must be brought in by the students.
  • Write a short play that will call for the reenactment of an event that impacted this state's history.  The play should include names of characters that would be required for the play, setting information and the play lines for each character.
  • Create a poster that displays events or people that have impacted the shaping of this state. Include photos, drawings, timelines, etc. to enhance the display of the poster.

Economics of your state - choose one of the following to complete as a group.

  • Create a poster that displays the economic information for the state your group has been assigned. The poster may include graphs, charts, photos and drawings. Considerations for the poster may be; types of industries found in the state, natural resources found in the state, mineral resources, unemployment information, popular career/professions noted in this state, etc. Use the economic research information recorded by group members to aid in the construction of this poster.
  • Create a map that records economic information for the state that your group was assigned. Draw a map on poster board of the assigned state. Color or paint the map recording any natural resources, forest resources, mineral resources, manufacturing and other industrial information that contributes to the economy of the state. Other things to include on the poster may be the current population for that state, the average monthly income information per family, average monthly expense information per family, unemployment rate for the state, and any other information related to the economy of that state. Be creative with the display.
  • Develop an economic relief plan for the state that your group has been assigned. Think of innovative ways to improve the economy of this state. Questions to consider when designing this plan might be: What can they do to conserve energy or natural resources? What can be done to reduce the unemployment rate? What measures can be taken to reduce state spending?  You may come up with other considerations as a group to include in this relief plan.

Final Project - Power Point Presentation

  • Each group will create a Power Point presentation using the data collected on the state they were assigned.
  • The Power Point must consist of at least ten slides.
  • The Power Point must include - the five themes of geography for that state, historical events and people that influenced the state, and economic information about the state including a definition of economics and how economics affects everyone.
  • Each group member will participate in the creating and presenting of the Power Point.
Evaluation

You will be evaluated based on the following:

  • Completion of the research questions
  • Completion of the geography mapping activities
  • Completion of the history quesions
  • Completion of the economic questions
  • Completion of the group Power Point presentation - Final Project

 
There is a grading rubric used when grading these projects. You may view the rubric to ensure that you have completed all the requirements for each assignment.

Evaluation Rubric
 

Beginning

Developing

Very Good

Proficient

Score

Using the Internet to Research a topic and completion of research materials

Student demonstrates very little understanding of how to use the Internet to conduct research. No real evidence that research materials were completed. Student has some knowledge of how to conduct research through the use of the Internet. Some Effort was taken to complete research materials. Student has a good understanding of conducting research using the Internet. Research materials were completed with few errors. Student understands how to use the Internet to conduct research and complete assignments. Research materials were successfully completed. 25

Completion of Geography, History and Economic Assignments

Group did not complete the assignments. Group attempted to complete the assignments. Little effort displayed in understanding each concept and how they relate to the state. Group demonstrates an understanding of how geography, historical events and people, and economics impacted this state. Assignment was completed with few errors noted. Group has completed the geography,history, and economic assignments completely. Group members demonstrate a clear understanding of how each impacted this state. 25

How well did the group work as a team?

Assignment was not completed. No real signs that a group effort was made. The group demonstrates some effort in completing the assignments. Some team work effort displayed. The group has completed the assignments and have displayed team work. The assignment work was divided equally among group members. Assignments look good. The group has successfully demonstrated teamwork throughout this assignment. All assignments were completed and final products are outstanding. 25

Power Point Presentation

Power Point only partially completed. Power Point demonstrates some effort although missing some required information. Power Point presentation included required information. Each group member participated in the creation and presentation. Power Point presentation includes all the required information. The group also added additional information to the Power Point regarding the state. Each group member participated in the construction and presentation. Outstanding Job! 25
 
Conclusion

CONGRATULATION ON FINISHING THE WEBQUEST

The assignments demonstrated how technology enhances social studies instruction. There are multiple websites that make doing social studies research easy and fun. We only touched on a few of the resources available through this assignment. The technological resources used to complete these assignments and projects allowed you to learn about the five themes of geography, why historical events and people are important, and the importance of economics to everyone.

Credits
Teacher Page

STANDARDS

The standards used in the WebQuest are based on the North Carolina Common Core Essential Standards.
North Carolina Standards: Social Studies
Grade Level: 5th grade
5.C.1 Understand how increased diversity resulted from migration, settlement patterns, and economic development in the United States.
5.E.1 Understand how a market economy impacts life in the United States.
5.G.1 Understanding how human activity has and continues to shape the United States.
5.H.2 Understand the role of prominent figures in shaping the United States

Technology in the Social Studies Classroom

Karmen Hampton

Grand Canyon University

February, 5, 2014

EED-570