State Report

Your project has three parts: a written report, an oral report, and a model.  Some parts of the project will be done in class and some at home.  You will be expected to bring to class each day any materials you need for the project.

              General project requirements:

• All work is to be done by YOU, the student.
• Put information into your own words.
• Indent paragraphs.
• All work must be in final draft – in cursive (dark blue or black ink) or typed (at least 12 pt. font, double-spaced)
• Follow all directions below:

Body of Report:

I. Cover (to be done primarily in class)                                        

II. Title Page                                                                                   

• Include the name of your state.  You may add a border or illustration.

• Don’t forget your name, number, and date!

III. Table of Contents                                                                       

• Title the page, “Table of Contents”

• List all pages, charts, graphs, pictures, etc., and number them.

• Do this AFTER you’ve finished the report.

IV. State Information                                                                                          

     A. Introduction (about ½ page)                                          

• Introduce your state by explaining why you chose it.

• Include interesting information: what you liked about it, etc.

• Do this AFTER you've finished the report.

    B. Land & Climate (about a page)                                                                     

• Include a small map of the United States with your state highlighted.

• Have a bigger map of your state.  Label its capital with a star (*) and major cities with a dot (.)

• Write about the different land and water features (land regions, mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.).  Include area in square miles. 

• Describe seasonal weather, rainfall, and annual precipitation.

• Include a chart or graph.

   C. Places of Interest (at least one page)                           

• Write about places or landmarks that a tourist would want to see in your state.

• Include national parks, amusement parks, sports venues, etc.

• Include pictures.  You may draw, use photographs, magazine clippings neatly cut and labeled, or pictures from your computer.

   D. Famous People (about 1 page)                                                      

• Write about at least one (but no more than three) person(s) in history who came from your state.

• Include a brief biography: Who is he/she? Where is he/she from? Why is he/she famous?

V. Bibliography                                                            

• Consult at least three sources
• Follow the attached bibliography format exactly as examples are given
• Include at least one book as a source.

VI. NOTES: Save your notes and rough drafts!  They must be turned in when you finish your report!

Oral Report:

              You are required to give a brief oral report to the class.  Include interesting facts and information about your state.  You may use note cards, but you will not be allowed to read from your report, which I will collect a day or two before your presentation.  Practice with family or friends to work on voice and pacing.  You should not try to memorize your whole report; just tell us the “good stuff.”

State Float:

              You are to make a miniature float (not a diorama) representing your state.  Follow the steps below:

• Use a shoebox.  Your float may not be bigger than your desk.
• Completely cover the outside of the box (e.g. tissue paper, foil, colored rice that is glued on, construction paper, etc.)
• Design the top part of your float using creativity and imagination.  Think about what you have learned about your state’s national parks, motto, symbols, etc.  Take some of these scenes, replicas, or figures that represent your state, placing them on top in an appealing way.
• Somewhere on the float you must have the name of your state. 
• Your state should resemble a real float in a parade.  Think about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day or Tournament of Roses parade floats.
• Don’t forget your name, number, and date!
• Be creative, and have fun!

Written Report:

____ Cover (10)

____ Title page (5)

____ Table of Contents (5)

____ Introduction (10)

____ Land & Climate (10)

____ Places of Interest (10)

____ Famous People (10)

____ Bibliography(5)

____ Neatness (5)

____ Spelling/Mechanics (5)

____ Format/Following Directions (5)

____ Creativity (10)

____ Turned in on time (10)

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____ TOTAL (out of 100)

Notes:

____ Turned in on time (5 pts)

Oral Report:

____ Voice quality/volume (5)

____ Eye Contact (5)

____ The “Good Stuff” (10)

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____ TOTAL (out of 20)

State Float:

____ Neatness (10)

____ Creativity (10)         

____ State Representation (20)

____ Turned in on time (10 points)

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____ TOTAL (out of 50)