Introduction
Students have been learning about the 50 states and will begin to learn about the different regions in the US.
Task
Today you and your group will create a blog using wordpress.com to share a recent trip you took with your friends. You and your group went to one specific region of the US and you want to show your friends where you went (which states specifically) and what you saw. Your goal is to give them information on the states you visited in that region including: fun places you traveled to (theme parks, fun sites etc), background history on each state (capital, when it became a state), and what historical landmarks or museums (the Declaration of Independence? The Grand Canyon? The Atlantic Ocean?) you saw. Make sure to share when you went (August? December?), how the weather was (to help people pack if they want to mimic your trip), and show pictures in addition to information. You can create videos or share videos you have created with voiceovers in them.
Process
Create a Wordpress page and create a title that relates to your region you visited. Find the most interesting information and landmarks to share in your blog to entice your friends to visit these places too. Students can pick a season/month they traveled during so they can keep in mind what the weather will be during that time. Note: This may impact the landmarks and attractions they can see/visit (i.e. is it feasible to go on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier in mid January?)
This project will be started on Day 1. Students will be given the remainder of the period (~25 minutes) to work on their blog, and the entire period on Day 2 (25~30 min) to finish their presentation. Groups are encouraged to make their blogs inviting by adding pictures, changing font/themes, adding videos, etc.
On Day 3 students will share their presentation with the classroom, and the classroom will choose which trip sounded the most enjoyable. As a class, we will vote on the best trip as if we were choosing one to take.
Alternatives to creating a blog post on wordpress include:
Creating a 'blog' on a Microsoft Word document
Creating a physical brochure with places visited and necessary information
Evaluation
a. Informal Assessment:
Students will present their information to the class from their blog. Each student must contribute to the presentation, both in producing work and presenting in front of the class. After presentations are given, students will choose which region they like best based on the information provided to them and explain why. This will be a brief exit slip with a paragraph to support their claim.
b. Formal Assessment:
Students will be given a blank map with the states outlined. They need to color-coat different regions, identify what each region is and list the states within these regions. Landmarks identified in the presentation, such as the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, Grand Canyon, etc. will also be given to students on a list. They will have to identify which state and region these can be found in.
11. Rubrics:
|
Rubric Components |
Point Scale |
Student’s Score |
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|
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
States assigned in region are represented in blog post
|
All states are identified and represented |
Most of the states are identified and represented |
Some of the states are identified and represented |
None of the states are identified or represented |
|
|
Information included in blog: Landmarks State information Fun travel sites
|
A surplus of information is provided for all 3 categories |
All categories are represented |
Some of the categories are represented |
None of the categories are represented |
|
|
Student Participation
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All students participated in creation and presentation of blog post |
Most students participated in creation of presentation of blog post |
Some students participated in creation and presentation of blog post |
None of the students participated in creation or presentation |
|
|
Weather and Date
|
Both a month/season and weather is noted in blog post |
- |
Either month/season or weather is noted in blog post |
Neither month/season nor weather is noted in blog post |
|
|
|
Conclusion
Through this entertaining activity, students will understand the different regions in the US. They will know which states belong in which region and characteristics of the regions including:
-weather
-attractions
-landmarks/historical museums