The Great Fifth Grade All-American State Fair
Requirements and Expectations for your Research Project on the State of _______________
Report
--It must be typed (12 point font, double-spaced)
--Your report will be at least 3 pages in length (not including your title page, outline, bibliography, or maps and pictures)
--The final report must be put neatly in a small binder, folder, or report cover.
--You must have a title page with the following:
--Name of State
--State Flag (in color—may be printed off the computer)
--Your name, grade, teacher, and due date
--You must have an outline, which will be the second page of the report.
--You must have a bibliography, which is the last page of the report. You need to use a minimum of 4 sources; 2 of them must be from books or encyclopedias. The others can be from the Internet. All books and websites used must be listed in your bibliography (including sources of images).
--Your report must include the following topics. I will give you a checklist with more details on what information needs to be in each section.
1) Introduction
2) Location/Region, Size, Population
3) Geography and Physical Features
4) Climate
5) Plants and Animals
6) Economy, Industry, and Natural Resources
7) Important Cities
8) Things to See and Do
9) History/Important Events
10)Interesting Facts
11)Conclusion
Maps and Symbols (These will be included with your report—they may be copies if you want to put the originals on your board)
--State Map (hand-drawn or traced), including:
--Title
--Map key
--Physical features (Rivers, lakes, mountains, etc.)
--Capital and 5 other large cities
--National Parks or Monuments
--3 special features or places of interest
--U.S. Outline Map (I will provide this)—Color only your state, or color the whole map one color with your state a different color.
--State Symbols (bird, tree, flower, animal, seal)
--Choose two, and write a short caption for each
--These are each hand-drawn on a piece of white paper and colored with crayons or colored pencils.
--You may include additional symbols for extra credit.
State Fair Presentation
--You will create a poster board for display at our State Fair. This should include maps, flags, pictures, facts, diagrams, etc.)
--You also need at least one physical item to show on display. Be creative, and think of items that represent your state that you could find around your house or recreate (for example, a toy racecar would work for Indiana).
--At the state fair, you will be required to dress as someone in your state dresses or dressed in the past. Think of historical figures, important industries, or unique cultures from your state.
--You will also bring in a food item from your state. This can be something simple like cheese for Wisconsin, or you can try a recipe like Texas BBQ.
--Finally, you will be required to know the information about your state. Be prepared to share information and answer questions from visitors to the fair.
**One copy of this packet should be kept in your red folder. This folder will keep all your materials and needs to be at school everyday. You do not want to lose your research notes or parts of your report because you will have to redo them. **
**You will be turning in your research grids and rough drafts. These, along with the final paper, will be Language grades. The maps, symbols, and displays will be part of your Social Studies grade. **
**If you use your class time wisely, you will be able to complete most of the work at school. However, planning your costume and food will need to be done at home. **
Great States—Schedule of Due Dates
*You will be expected to meet these deadlines. Failure to do so will result in loss of points.*
Outlines finished: Wednesday, Apr. 29
Report rough draft: Monday, May 4
State map and symbol drawings: Wednesday, May 6
Final copy of report: Monday, May 11
Poster display: Monday, May 18
State Fair presentation: Tuesday, May 19
I am aware that my child will be completing a State Fair report and project and that he/she will be required to meet the due dates in the timetable above. I have read the project directions and understand the requirements.
Student Signature Date
Parent Signature Date
Please sign and return to class by Wednesday, April 23rd.
Great State Project Rubric
Name: ____________________________________ State: ____________________
Language
Completed Research Grid ________ / 10
Rough Draft ________ / 15
Outline ________ / 10
Title Page ________ / 5
Bibliography ________ / 5
Typed and Formatted ________ / 5
Final Paper ________ / 75
Total ________ / 125
Social Studies
U.S. Location Map ________ / 5
State Map ________ / 15
Symbol Drawings ________ / 10
Display Board ________ / 25
Physical Item ________ / 10
Costume ________ / 10
Food ________ / 10
Knowledge of Information ________ / 15
Total ________ / 100
STATE REPORT INFORMATION CHECKLIST
This list will help you organize your report and focus on the important information you need to include. Use this as you do research, develop your outline, and write your rough draft.
1) Introduction
a. Introduction to your state report and why you chose the state you did
2) Location, Size, and Population
a. In which region is your state? What states/bodies of water border it?
b. How many square miles is your state?
c. What rank in size is your state? Is it larger or smaller than Indiana?
d. What is your state’s population? What rank is that?
3) Geography and Physical Features
a. What are the names and descriptions of the major land forms?
b. What is the highest point? What is the lowest point?
c. Are there any important rivers or lakes?
4) Climate
a. What are the average temperatures in summer and winter?
b. How much precipitation is normal in your state?
c. What were the highest and lowest temperatures recorded?
d. Is there more than one climate region in your state?
5) Plants and Animals
a. What is the state flower? Bird? Animal? Tree?
b. Are there any plants that are unique to your state?
c. Are there any animals that are unique to your state or especially associated with it?
6) Economy and Natural Resources
a. What are the most important natural resources?
b. Where are the major manufacturing areas? What is produced?
c. What farm products are made and sold? Where are the farming areas?
d. What are some of the major industries people earn their livings in?
7) Important Cities
a. What is the capital and its population?
b. What are the largest cities and what makes them important?
8) Things to See and Do
a. If you could visit your state, what would you want to do? (parks, major attractions)
b. Are there National Parks or monuments? Describe them.
9) History/Important Events
a. When did your state become a state? What number was it?
b. Describe three important events in your state’s history (include dates).
10) Interesting Facts
a. What famous people are from your state?
b. What interesting facts can you find?
c. Include information you find interesting that doesn’t fit into the other categories.
11) Conclusion