Grade: Elementary

#458. Highs / Lows of States

Social Studies, level: Elementary
Posted Thu Jun 11 13:17:03 PDT 1998 by Marlys Buddenhagen ().
North Tama Community Schools, Traer, USA
Materials Required: Computer, Internet Access, graphing paper, colored pencils,
Activity Time: 5-6 days (45-50 minute periods)
Concepts Taught: 50 States, Math, Graphing, Alphabetizing, Estimating

Introduction:
You will be going on a scavenger hunt on the computer to find information about a region that your group will choose.
Be sure to take your thinking cap, patience, and be prepared to have a great time.

The Task:
With this scavenger hunt you will:
-find information about the highest / lowest elevation
(highest and lowest points) in each state of your region.
-make bars graphs (highest points - lowest points)
showing information you have found.
-write two math questions from the information you
have found.
-need to divide your group into these four positions:
a. Gatherer / Arranger - Find the information
on the computer / Arrange states in
order
b. Scribe - Write down the information found
c. Alphabetizer / Grapher - Check to see that
your states are in ABC order /
Convert elevations into square
before graphing
d. Proofreader - Check to see that spelling is
correct, all worksheets are finished,
and questions are in complete
thoughts / Check for appropriate
coloring of the bar graph.


The Process:
1. First you will be assigned to a team of 4 students.
(Pick out the position that you would like to do.)
Remember everyone should be working hard with the
project at all time. Some jobs will be shared.)
2. When you get into your group, you will pick a region
of states that you will find information for.
3. Get your abbreviation sheet from your U.S.
Research Folder. This sheet will help you in locating
states in your region.
4. Double-click on the Netscape icon on the hard drive.
Tap the * key and the L key at the same time and
release. (The Open Location box should appear.)
5. Type in the box www.50states.com .
6. You will see a screen that has all the states listed by
their postal abbreviations. Click once on each of
states in your region and find the information for the
highest point and lowest point.
7. Record your information on your worksheet. (Write
down the name of state, the abbreviation, and the
highest point location, and lowest point location. Also
check to see if information is same or close to the
information given in "Our 50 States" booklet.
Work very neatly.)
8. Color Code on your worksheet (using different
colored pencils) each of the names of the states in
your region.
9. Make a bar graph (for both highest/lowest elevation
points). Arrange your states in alphabetical order.
Round to the nearest hundred.
10. Be sure you give your bar graph a title.
11. Write two math questions and answers (give answers
on a separate page) using the information that
you found from the internet. (Make sure your
questions are complete thoughts. Check for spelling
of words.)
12. Have all members of your group go through and
double check to make sure you have finished all
activities of your project.
13. Make sure all members in your group have put their
names on all pages of the project.
14. As a group fill out the Evaluation of a Web Site sheet.
15. When you finish your project place your bar graphs on
the bulletin board (under your appropriate region)
where others will later use your information. Give
your math questions and all worksheets to your teacher.

Evaluation:
Your project will be checked for accuracy (including spelling of words and complete thoughts) and neatness by your teacher. Other class members will be using your
bar graphs to get information to solve the math questions you have written. (Your teacher will be using a rubric to grade your group's project for accuracy and neatness. You have a copy of that rubric.)


Conclusion:
Now that your scavenger hunt is complete, did you have fun surfing the net and using that information to review some different skills that we have learned in Language Arts (alphabetizing - writing sentences in complete thoughts) and in Math ( rounding off numbers, arranging numbers from high to low - low to high, and graphing information)? I am so proud of you and the hard work and patience you gave to your group. We worked hard to solve many problems.