Home Sweet Home: Arkansas

Home Sweet Home - An Arkansas History WebQuest

by Danna Rodebush, Euper Lane Elementary

What do you know about the state you live in?  You are about to embark on a journey across the beautiful state of Arkansas.  You will learn about the rich history of the place we call Home Sweet Home.

Click the image of the Arkansas Flag below to watch a music video.  ("Arkansas You Run Deep In Me" by Wayland Holyfield)

Lyrics

This WebQuest will serve as your guide in learning about the history of the great state of Arkansas.  It will assist you in completing each piece (step) of your final Arkansas History project.

The Seal of the State of Arkansas:

Arkansas's state seal, adopted in its present form in 1907, employs symbols that are used also by other states. At the bottom of the seal is an eagle holding in its beak a scroll that says “Regnat Populus” (The People Rule), the state motto. In front of the eagle is a shield like that of Pennsylvania's, divided into three parts. The figure of Liberty, as on North Carolina's seal, holds a pole and liberty cap. An angel on the left is inscribed “Mercy” while a sword on the right reads ldquo;Justice.”

The above information is copied from: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 

Arkansas State Symbols

Class Video Presentation  (Click on the link to watch a video presentation to a class involving the Arkansas state symbols.)

Entered the Union: June 15, 1836 (25)	Capital: Little Rock
Origin of Name: French interpretation of the Algonquin Indian word "ookansa," (referring to the Quapaw Tribe who lived in Arkansas) meaning "south wind"
State Motto: Regnat populus (The people rule)	State Bird: Mockingbird
State Nickname: The Natural State	State Tree: Loblolly Pine
State Flower: Apple Blossom	State Insect: Honeybee
State Mammal: White-tailed Deer	State Beverage: Milk
State Instrument: Fiddle	State Gem: Diamond
Fruit/Vegetable: Vine Ripe Pink Tomato	State Book: The Holy Bible
State Mineral: Quartz Crystal	State Song: “Arkansas” State Rock:  Bauxite State Dance: Square Dance
National Parks: 1 • National Forests: 2 • State Parks: 51
Famous for: America's only Diamond Mine, Hot Springs National Park
Famous Arkansans: Mike Huckabee (governor), Johnny Cash (singer), Eldridge Cleaver (social activist), William Jefferson Clinton (President), Dizzy Dean (baseball), John Grisham (author), Scott Joplin (composer), Douglas MacArthur (general), Sam Walton (founder of Wal-Mart)

STEP 1:  State Symbol Diorama

**A DIORAMA is a model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures.  Below are some sample images of dioramas:

The first piece of your Arkansas History project will require you to create your own diorama of at least 6 Arkansas state symbols.

You will choose from the list of RED state symbols above to create your diorama.

**Be creative in your design and be sure to include LABELS FOR ALL OF THE SYMBOLS INCLUDED IN YOUR DIORAMA.

Diorama includes at least 6 state symbols.	/10
All symbols are accurately represented.	/20
All labels are included and are accurate.	/10
Project is completed and turned in on time.	/5
Project is neat and creative.	/5
Total Points Earned	/50

This portion of your project is worth 50 points.  Your diorama will be due on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH.

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STEP 2:  Group Presentation of Arkansas Regions

**Arkansas is comprised of six regions which make up the highlands and the lowlands.  Below is an image of the state divided into its six regions.

You will be in a group of students assigned to one of the six regions of Arkansas.  Within your group, your job is to research the region and then give an oral presentation to your class on your assigned presentation date.  Presentations will begin TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4TH.

Tuesday, October 4th - Ozark Mountains, Arkansas River Valley

Wednesday, October 5th - Ouachita Mountains, Coastal Plain

Thursday, October 6th - Crowley's Ridge, Mississippi Alluvial Plain

***Click the map to visit a very helpful website as you are researching your assigned region!

Your group presentation MUST include:

• The name and description of the location of the region.  (What counties or cities are within your assigned region?)
• Are any famous or well known historical figures from your region?
• Are there any well known historical events that happened in your region?
• Are there any well known landmarks located in your region?
• How big is the region?
• Are there any other fun facts about your region that you would like to include?

**Your presentation can be in the form of a powerpoint, prezi, skit, or any other form approved by Mrs. Rodebush.  The entire presentation should BE NO LONGER THAN  7 minutes.  BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!

Not only will you be researching your assigned region, but you will be learning from your classmates about the other five regions of Arkansas.  You will have a quiz over all six regions on Wednesday, October 12th.

All information is accurately reported.	/15
Each group member contributed equally to the preparation and the presentation.	/10
Group was organized and prepared.	/5
Total Points Earned	/30

This portion of your project will be worth 30 points.

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STEP 3: State Research Report

**Independently, you will research the state of Arkansas and follow specific guidelines to write a research report.

Below is a copy of the guidelines to follow for this report.  You will also have a paper copy of this to reference.

Arkansas State Report 5th Grade   You will research the state of Arkansas and write a research report. Your report is due:  Wednesday, November 2nd   Guidelines:           You may use resources such as books, newspaper/magazine articles, internet sources, the library, or videos to conduct your state research.  Your report should include a reference page listing all of the resources you used in your research.           You should consider important dates in the history of the state, critical events that take/took place in the state, and people who inhabit/inhabited the state. _________________________________________________________   The report should start with an introductory paragraph introducing the state and the main ideas to be covered.  The next paragraph describes the state's geography and gives information on its location, major bodies of water, highest and lowest points, and landforms.  You may even choose to include a map of the state.  The next paragraph should discuss the climate of the state, including whether it is hot, mild, or cold, and whether it experiences any extreme weather patterns.  Examples should be given of conditions at different times of the year.  The next paragraph should give the latest population figure, how its size ranks in terms of other states, and what residents do for a living.  The state's major industries and agricultural products should be identified.  Next is a paragraph that discusses state symbols.  In this paragraph, you should write about and illustrate the state flag, including when it was adopted.  You should also discuss any other symbols applicable to the state:  state bird, state insect, state rock, state song, state dance, state mammal, state mineral, state flower, state gem, state vegetable, state fruit, state tree, state song, state beverage, and state instrument.  The next paragraph(s) should discuss important points or people in the history of the state.  To end the report, you may list national parks, national monuments, historic battlefields, important places, or historic events that happened in the state.  This paragraph should serve as the conclusion.   Report Outline: 1.  One paragraph:  state introduction/topics to be discussed 2.  One paragraph:  state geography 3.  One paragraph:  state climate 4.  One paragraph:  state population/industry 5.  One to three paragraphs:  state symbols 6.  One to three paragraph:  state history 7.  One paragraph:  state's uniqueness/conclusion 8.  Reference page   Be as creative as possible with this report!!  Include drawings, illustrations, printed photos and/or images, and any other special artifacts that you can think of.  This creativity and additional artifacts may set your report "over the top" and earn you bonus points!

All information is accurately reported.	/30
Report is organized and neat.	/15
Report follows set guidelines/ All required information is included.	/30
Spelling/grammar/punctuation are error free.	/15
Report is turned in complete and on time.	/10
Total Points Earned	/100

This portion of your project will be worth 100 points.

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