Monthly (sort of) Project for November/December.
Due December 16, 2009
Your project for this period will be a two part investigation of the geography
and states of the United States.
A- Using a personal journal format you will plan and describe a trip across
the country to a specific National Park or National Monument anywhere in the
United States. Upon ‘arrival’ at the park or monument you will discuss when
and why it was established. They are often established to protect an area due
to its historical importance or to preserve a specific area. You must travel
across at least one-half of the country. An Example is if you wish to visit
Yosemite National Park you should start on the eastern side of the Rockies.
B- In addition, you will illustrate a large 8-1/2” x 11” postcard showing some
of the important themes of the state wherein your park or monument is located.
On the back you will write a letter sharing these themes with a friend or
relative.
Details:
The journal should be neatly written or typed. It should be written as a
personal journal recounting a daily log of your travels over a period of at
least 5 days. It will include:
1) A date for each entry.
2) The road and direction you travel.
3) Mileage for the day, you may not travel more than 500 miles in any 24-hour
period.
4) The name of the location (incl. state) where you stop each night.
5) A brief description of the geography you pass through each day.
You may travel by automobile, bus or train. You may NOT fly unless as a side
trip. In which case you will fly back to where you left your car/vehicle and
resume your journey from that point. Unless it is on an automobile ferry,
travel across bodies of water is allowed with the same restrictions.
The postcard will be hand illustrated and colored. It will include a picture
or pictures relevant to the state wherein your monument or park is located.
The illustration(s) can reflect one or more of the 5 themes of geography. It
can also include a detailed drawing of the state, the state bird, flower,
flag, etc. It cannot be just a drawing of the flag.
The letter will be written on the back and follow standard letter format with
a greeting and closing. Proper paragraph development and mechanics should be
used; refer to your LA rubric. Describe the state using the imagery
techniques we’ve been practicing in our descriptive writing lessons. You can
discuss the climate, people (ethnic mix), resources and points of interest to
be found in that state. Make your reader want to go there to see how cool and
special it is. Your letter should be between 3-5 paragraphs. Each paragraph
should be a minimum of 6 sentences.
An informal 3-5 minute presentation will be given to the class during the week
of the 14 - 18 of December.
Resources:
For your journal, any decent topographical map such as those found in your
s.s. text and s.s. atlas.
California State Automobile Association (AAA) or any gas station road map
Mapquest (or similar website online)
The Internet
The state’s Chamber of Commerce (they each have a website)
Encyclopedia, hardcopy or computer
The school library has a collection of state books as does the Yolo County library
Some time will be allocated during our regularly scheduled computer lessons
for online research. DO NOT rely on this time for the bulk of your research.
You should begin searching immediately for the information you need to start
your project.
You have until Thursday, November 5th to inform me of which state you wish to
study and what resources you will use to begin.
Weekly updates will be expected. Get a calendar and lay out the general plan
you will use to organize your time for this project. Use this plan to monitor
your progress.
See me if you have any questions.
Tourism Websites for 5th grade
http://postcardsfrom.com/index.html Postcards from all over the country.
http://www.theus50.com/ Select a state from the map of the U.S. and up pops
historical and geographical information, and almanac of state facts, and a
guide of historic sites and tourist attractions. There are links to official
state web pages and a state quiz. Standard 5.9
http://www.50states.com/
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es
http://www.factmonster.com/atlas/mapindex.html
http://www.netstate.com/states/
http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/stateknow/
http://www.infoplease.com/states.html
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
RUBRIC - Monthly project - State Road Trip
Coherence of Content
50 - The writer has researched facts that sell the specialness of the State.
All facts and information are complete and correct. Journal has at least 5-day
entries with all information stated in project sheet. Postcard is 8-1/2” X 11”
and shows important themes of the state. Letter on back of postcard is in
standard letter format that is 3 -5 paragraphs and shares the themes of the state.
40 - The writer has researched facts that sell the specialness of the State.
Most facts and information are correct. Journal has at least 5-day entries
with all information stated in project sheet. Postcard is 8-1/2” X 11” and
shows important themes of the state. Letter on back of postcard is in standard
letter format that is 3 -5 paragraphs and shares the themes of the state
30 - The writer’s research is incomplete. Journal does not haves at least
5-day entries with all information stated in project sheet. Postcard is 8-1/2”
X 11” and showing important themes of the state. Letter is on back of postcard
sharing these themes.
20 - The writer failed to provide correct research. Journal is incomplete.
Postcard is incomplete.
Project development
20 - Postcard illustrations clearly depict content and are visually appealing.
Letter on back of postcard is informative and interesting
16 - Illustrations are somewhat appealing and information on back is somewhat
informative.
14 - Illustrations are poorly drawn. Letter on back is messy and uninteresting.
0 - No postcard.
Richness of Language
10 - Uses language that creates an image. Writer’s voice is clear.
8 - Uses language that creates an image most of the time. Writer’s voice is
evident.
6 - Inconsistently uses descriptive vocabulary. Some evidence of writer’s voice.
4 - Vocabulary is very simple. Writer’s voice not evident.
Spelling and Mechanics
10 - Uses correct spelling and punctuation (0-2 errors)
8 - Generally uses correct spelling and punctuation (3-5 errors)
6 - Inconsistently uses correct spelling and punctuation (6 or more)
4 - Writes with frequent spelling and mechanical errors and impede understanding
Presentation
10 - Identifies the journey and what they saw in way of the themes of
Geography. Student clearly and creatively presents report. Shows postcard.
Clearly speaks in front of class.
8 - Identifies the journey. Report is adequately presented. Shows postcard.
Reads report in front of class but not clearly.
6 - Identifies the journey. Report is presented but not clearly.
4 - Does not adequately identify the journey. Does not present postcard.
Total points __________ out of 100