Fifth Grade State Report

Your Name:

Your State:

Welcome to your fifth grade state report! This packet will guide you through the
required pieces of the project. We will review methods of note-taking and
organization in class, although you will be conducting research and writing both at
home and at school. You are expected to work on this project every
day. Sometimes you will simply be reading, but most days you will be taking
notes, writing, or editing.
The final report will be due Friday, March 4th. Please plan to complete
assignments as they are given. Make arrangements to come before school or stay
after school if you find yourself in need of extra help.
A second part of the project, the creative presentation of your states
important facts, will be Thursday, March 17th (students with even
numbers) or Friday, March 18th (students with odd numbers).
A Special Note: Although the Internet has made research considerably easier, it
is expected that students take notes, and then rewrite information in their own
words. Cutting and pasting text from websites into a report is not
allowed. Plagiarism is a crime.

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State Report Packet

Part One: The Written Report

This report will be a bit unlike reports you have previously done at school. We
will be using a Google Chrome extension called Lucid Press to publish our
information. However, all text will be written and typed in a Google Doc before
you are introduced to Lucid Press. Your final report will look somewhat like a
magazine advertising your state.

Requirements:
1. Introductory Paragraph
Introduce your state by telling the reader some of the fascinating details they will learn
by reading your report. Make sure to point out any unique features, history, or tourist
destinations that make your state special and interesting. Do not use the words me,
my, I, or you.

Fast Facts

Include the following facts in your introduction:

Date statehood was awarded
Rank in order of states admitted to the union
Origin of the state name
State nickname, and how it got that nickname
State motto
Population (as of 2010 Census)
2. General Information (The main body of your report)
This part of the report should follow the introductory paragraph. Each paragraph should
begin with a strong topic sentence, followed by supporting details that are elaborated
upon, and should end with a conclusion sentence.
First explorers (1 paragraph)
Who were the first Europeans to explore your state? Why were they
there? What were they looking for? Did they find it?
Historical Event (1 paragraph)
Pick an event that interests you from your states history. Describe
exactly what happened (date, place, people involved, etc.). Explain why
the event was important. Use lots of specific details.
Economy (1 short paragraph)
Describe two or three of the main sources of income for the state. (Is
agriculture important? Does the state manufacture (make) something for
which its well known?)

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State Report Packet

 Climate (1 paragraph)
Include average temperatures for winter and summer, and typical
weather conditions (which could include precipitation or unusual weather
patterns, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, or floods)
Geographical regions and their features (1 paragraph)
Examples: mountains, canyons, rivers, and valleys
What is the highest point in the state? The lowest point? What is the
area of the state? How does it compare in size to other states? What
geographical features should your readers know about?
Reasons to visit the state (Think: National parks, historical sites, and other
points of interest) (1 paragraph)
Describe some of the national parks, historic sites, battlefields,
memorials, monuments, preserves, and other areas tourists might like to
visit. Explain what people might see and do at these places.
3. Locator Map
Within Lucid Press, google locator map of _______ to find a picture of your state as
it relates to the whole United States. Insert it in the correct spot on your magazine. Be
sure to add the bibliography information for that site immediately to your Google Doc!
4. State Map (Separate from the Lucid Press work done by hand)
The map of your state may be drawn by hand, or traced. It should be a full-page outline
of your state, and it should be full color. The following items should appear on the page:
A title (the states name)
A key/legend
A compass rose
The capital city
Three or more major cities
Any mountain ranges
Major rivers, lakes, or bays
Any other important places people might visit, such as national parks,
amusement parks, historic sites, or beaches
5. State Flag
Using Google Search within Lucid Press, locate an image of your states current state
flag. Read about the flag and take notes so you can describe what one would see when
looking at it. (Why did they pick those colors? What do the images represent? Etc.) This
description should form a short paragraph.

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State Report Packet

6. State Symbols
Each state has a state bird, flower, and tree. Many also have other official symbols, such
as fish, insects, and quarters. Choose four of these symbols and write them down on
a notecard. (Example: Californias state bird: Valley Quail)
When you have access to your Lucid Press file, you will use Google Search to find an
image of each symbol, and then write a one or two sentence caption describing the
symbol.
7. Important Person
Research an important person that was born in your state, or contributed immensely to
your state. This person could be an actor, politician, scientist, sports figure, or someone
well known for another reason. Select a person you would like to know more about.
Write a one-paragraph biography that includes the persons:
o Birth date
o Place of birth
o Career and how it developed
o What they are famous for
When you get into your Lucid Press file, you will also Google Search to find a photo of
the person.
8. Four Important Dates
Select four dates from your states history that you find significant. You may use dates
youve already mentioned (E.g. the date the state was founded, your historical events,
etc.). Write a sentence or two naming the event that occurred on each date.
9. Bibliography (Separate from your Lucid Press File On your Google Doc)
A bibliography is put at the end of your report to give credit to the sources from which
you pulled your information. It is important to write down the information
from each source as you work! Look at the samples below to see how to format
each type of source.
Books:
Cohen, Daniel. America's Favorite State. New York; Doubleday, 1985.
Encyclopedia:
"Iowa." Compton's Encyclopedia. Publishing Company; City of Publication.
1998. Pages referenced.
Encyclopedia and other publications on CD-ROM:
"Iowa." Encarta 2001. CD-ROM. Seattle: Microsoft Corporation, 2001
World Wide Web:
Name of Article/Page. URL. Date you looked at the site.

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State Report Packet

Part Two: The Creative Presentation

(Presentations: Even #s on 3/17/16, odd #s on 3/18/16)
Once you have completed your written report, you will have one week to create a
presentation that will educate your classmates and teacher about your state. You may design a
creative poster, write a song or poem, host a TV show about your state, or anything else that
pops into your head. The only requirement is that you keep the presentation under five
minutes, and include the following items:

The states capital

State abbreviation
Population
Date the state entered the union
State motto
State nickname
At least one historic event

State symbol #1
State symbol #2
State symbol #3
A reason to visit the state
At least one famous person from
the state

Creative Presentation Grading Rubric:

Creative Presentation
The states capital
State abbreviation
Population
Date the state entered the union
State motto
State nickname
State symbol
State symbol
State symbol
Reason to Visit
Famous people from the state
At least one historic event
Presentation Skills:
Information is mostly memorized
Eye contact is made with the audience
Voice is loud enough to be heard

25 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points

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5 points
5 points
5 points

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TOTAL: __________ GRADE: _________

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State Report Packet

Fifth Grade State Report Grading Checklist

Presentation:

10 points

_______

No more than three colors are used for text headings Body text is all black States title is present
Your name is present The due date is present (2 points each)

Introduction:

20 points

_______

Date statehood was awarded Rank in order Origin of the state name State nickname State motto
Population (2 pts. each) Information flows logically (8 points)

State Flag and Paragraph:

15 points

_______

Image of current state flag (5 points) Paragraph explaining the flags features and any symbolism involved
(10 points)

First Explorers:

20 points

_______

Who were the first explorers? What country did they sail for? What were they looking for?
Did they find it? (5 points each)

Historical Event #1:

30 points

_______

Date? Place? People Involved? Why is the event important? (5 points each)
General explanation of event? (10 points each)

Important Person:

20 points

_______

Birth date Place of birth (2 points each) Career and what they are famous for (11 points each)
Image of person (5 points)

Economy:

10 points

_______

45 points

_______

Includes 2-3 sources of income

Geography:

Area of the state Rank in size Region of the country States that border it Highest point
Lowest point (5 points each) Description of each regions key features (15 points)

Climate:

30 points

_______

Average summer temp. Average winter temp. Average precipitation Unusual weather conditions
Extreme high temp Extreme low temp (5 points each)

Reasons to Visit:

15 points

_______

More than three places of interest are mentioned Tell why I should go to each place and what Ill do there
(5 points each place, max of 15 points)

Locator Map:

4 points

_______

28 points

_______

Included and captioned

State Map:

A title (the states name) (1 point) Key/legend Compass rose Capital city Mountain ranges
Rivers, lakes, or bays Important places Full Color (2 points per item)
Three or more major cities (3 points) Neat presentation (10 points)

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State Report Packet, 2016

Symbols:

18 points

_______

4 symbols displayed (2.5 point per image) One sentence identifies each image (2 points per sentence)

Four Important Dates:

20 points

_______

Four dates are given (2 points each) Each event is identified (3 points each)

Bibliography:

10 points

_______

At least three sources are cited Proper formatting is used

Topic and Conclusion Sentences:

10 points

_______

30 points

_______

Used for each paragraph

Grammar and Mechanics:

Paragraphs are indented Proper spelling Proper punctuation Proper capitalization (5 points each)
Proper grammar (10 points)

Neatness and Organization:

5 points

_______

Map and bibliography are attached to the Lucid Press document

TOTAL POSSIBLE: 340 points TOTAL EARNED: ______ GRADE: ______

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State Report Packet, 2016