Rationale: The main focus of our 4th grade social studies curriculum is the study of the four United States regions. Even though we have a social studies textbook, we have discovered that some of the info seems rather outdated and students are not as engaged with the topic as we would like. We do have some library resources available for use. Students seem to be motivated by the use of the Internet so this project will integrate technology into our study of the Southeast region of the United States. It will also open up the unit to more information about each state not just the region in general. To bring the information first hand to students we will also be collaborating with schools from the southeast states through a traveling buddy. States to be studied include: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Objectives (Social Studies):
1. Students will be able to locate and name the states of the southeast region.
2. Students will be able to describe the climate, water characteristics, resources, economy, and vegetation of the southeast region.
3. Students will be able to compare and contrast where they live with the Southeast region

Technology:
1. Students will be able to create a basic spreadsheet and understand how to read it using Appleworks.
2. Students will be able to create a brochure using Appleworks.
3. Students will be able to use mPower to create a slideshow.

National Technology Standards:
1. Basic operations and concepts
2. Technology productivity tools
3. Technology communication tools
4. Technology research tools

Introduction lesson:
To get students thinking, I would first ask students to write down everything they know about the southeast region and then what they'd like to know about the southeast region in their tour journals. (KWL) Then as a class we would discuss their answers. Next I would have students get in their groups and give each group different items that have been collected from the southeast and ask the students to respond as a group. (What state does this item come from? How does this effect the state's economy? Would these items be present in our state? Why might they not grow in our state?) Items include cotton plant, beach sand, peanuts, palm tree seeds, picture of Smokey Mountains. I'd also show samples of dirt collected from various states and ask the students to compare and contrast the soils and to come up with reasons the soils are different. After all dirt is dirt, right?

Activities:

Assessment:
Tour Guide Book (Journal) and Individual Group Assessment
http://landmark-project.com/classweb/tools/printable.php3?rbrc_id=6827

A=7-8 points

B=6 points

C=5 points

D=4 points

Spreadsheet Rubric
http://landmark-project.com/classweb/tools/printable.php3?rbrc_id=6819

A=7-8 points

B=6 points

C=5 points

Redo if 4 or less points

Brochure Rubric
http://landmark-project.com/classweb/tools/printable.php3?rbrc_id=6848

A=14-16 points

B=12-13 points

C=11 points

Redo if 10 or less points

Presentation Rubric
http://landmark-project.com/classweb/tools/printable.php3?rbrc_id=6825

A=21-24 points

B=19-20 points

C=16-18 points

Redo if 15 or less points

Hints & Suggestions:
•This unit could easily be adapted to any of the regions of the United States. The websites include information for all the states with the exception of the official state websites.

•The rubrics are created in a general format so that they can be used for other projects beyond this project.

•To make a stronger connection to the southeast, I would encourage you to also try having a traveling buddy that would be sent to schools in each of the states studied to collect more information. This would make this a more hands on learning as the students actually saw items that are from this part of the United States.

•In place of the presentation you could also have students create websites about the southeast region.

•Although this lends itself to using the Internet for resources don't forget to encourage students to use books and magazines from the library.

•More useful websites that have more links to the United States-- http://henson.austin.apple.com/edres/ccenter/states/websites.shtml

http://www.educationplanet.com/articles/fiftystates.html

•More information regarding copyright issues can be found at http://www.thinkquest.org/resources/copyguide.html.