STATE RESEARCH REPORT GUIDELINES/REQUIREMENTS
You have your state….so now comes the REPORT! You all now have at least 3 books as resources.
You will research your specific state, learn how to take notes, organize your data into report format, and keep track of resource information to include in your bibliography.
You have your binder to use to organize all of your report research and materials. You have also been given 2 copies of these guidelines. One copy should stay in your binder AT ALL TIMES. The other copy can either stay at home or keep it in a folder.
Please follow these guidelines and the ones on your grading sheet to help you organize, plan, and write your report.
You will write your report in paragraph form for the sections that require written information. You should indent each paragraph or skip a line between paragraphs. Be consistent with whichever method you choose.
Here are the specific requirements for this STATE RESEARCH REPORT:
_____ FOLDER: Your report should be in some sort of a folder, binder, or put together in
some way so that it is protected. I have folders if you need one.
_____ TITLE PAGE: The title page should include at least this information:
1. a title (your state’s name, etc…)
2. your name
- date (October 2011)
_____ TABLE OF CONTENTS: This should be the second page in your folder. Everything
included in this report should be listed here.
_____ INTRODUCTION: This comes after the Table of Contents. Introduce your state
and explain why you chose it or why it’s of interest to you. You can tell some basic information
about your state if you would like.
_____ HISTORY: This section should include at least the following information….
1. date of statehood
2. ranking out of the 50 states
3. important dates in your state’s history
Other things that you could include: historical facts how it became a state, early exploration and explorers, first people who lived there, etc….
_____ GEOGRAPHY: This section should include at least the following information….
1. land information
2. area (size) of the state
3. rivers, lakes, mountains, etc….
Other things that you could include: famous land forms, important elevations, etc….
_____ PEOPLE: This section should include at least the following information…..
1. population
2. famous people
Other things that you could include: type of people (nationality, etc…..), rural or urban
populations, etc…
_____ CLIMATE: This section should include at least the following information….
1. weather
2. usual weather (all seasons)
3. precipitation (rain, snow, etc…)
Other things you could include: any other interesting facts about the weather.
_____ AGRICULTURE/INDUSTRY: This section should include any/all of the following
that apply to your state:
1. farming
2. manufacturing/processing
3. mining
4. fishing
5. tourist industry
6. other
Feel free to include any other topics that would fit in this category.
_____ NATURAL RESOURCES: This section should include any/all of the following that
apply to your state:
1. forests
2. minerals
3. land forms
4. water
5. other
Feel free to include any other resources that are important to your state.
_____ ILLUSTRATIONS: This section comes after all of your written information.
Illustrations can come within your writing if applicable. You must include the following
illustrations:
1. a map of your state (labeled with the state name and the
capital named and located
2. state bird (labeled)
3. state flower (labeled)
4. state flag
Other illustrations that you could include: state tree, state seal, pictures from the state, maps,
charts, graphs, state animal, state insect, etc….
_____ BIBLIOGRAPHY: List ALL sources/resources used. You must have at least 3
resources…they can’t be the same type. For example, you could have two websites and one book,
but you cannot have 3 websites and no other resource.
Possible resources include: books, magazines, encyclopedias, brochures, pamphlets, internet
Some bibliography examples:
Encyclopedia “Article Title.” Book title. Year of publication.
Example: “Mandarin.” Encyclopedia Americana. 1993 ed.
Book Author’s last name, First name. Title. Place of publication: publisher, date
Example: Jones, Susan. Jump Over the Log. New York: Dutton, 1997.
Online/Internet Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Accessed through (name of
computer network). Date of access. Available: electronic address (URL)
Example: Eisenberg, M. “The Big 6 Skills.” Accessed through Safari. May 18th, 2009.
_____ PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICE: You need to choose another way to show what you
have learned about your state---BE CREATIVE. Think of some way to show something about your state. You could make a model, poster, brochure, diorama, mobile, etc…..It’s totally up to you.
HAVE FUN! **This must be PRE-APPROVED before you do it!**
______ ORAL PRESENTATION: After your report and project are completed, you will
present your information and product to the class. You will be sharing what you have learned
with the class. Please plan to spend about 5 minutes on your oral presentation.
See rubrics for product and oral presentation attached.
You may add any additional information you would like. Be sure to organize your report in a
logical manner. You may write this report in pencil, pen, or type it. Please write on only one side
of the paper. I will be collecting your notes and research folders when this project is complete.
Do your best work and good luck! Happy researching!
GRADING CHECKLIST FOR YOUR STATE REPORT
Items to include: Points possible:
Title page 5
Table of contents 5
Introduction 10
History 15
Geography 15
People 15
Climate 15
Agriculture/industry 15
Natural resources 15
Illustrations:
Map 5
State flower 5
State bird 5
State flag 5
Product of your choice 40
Bibliography 10
Complete sentences and paragraphs
Editing/spelling 15
Neatness 10
Organization 15
220 points total
A = 198-220 points B = 176-197 points C = 154-175 points D = 132-153 points
POSSIBLE PRODUCT CHOICES For your STATE REPORT
You must choose one of the following choices for your PRODUCT in your report.
Please look over the choices, read through the descriptions, and decide which one
appeals to you the most. The product descriptors/requirements are also attached
here. There are also some more general ideas that you can make your own. Your
product choice needs to be pre-approved by me.
CHOICE #1—TRAVEL BROCHURE
This is your opportunity to create an advertisement for your state! For this product
you will need to design a travel brochure all about your state. The object of this
brochure is to provide information about your state, persuade people to come and
visit, and show off some of the neat things that there are to do there.
CHOICE #2—ORAL PRESENTATION/INFO-MERCIAL
This is your opportunity to get really creative, act up a storm, and be the star of
your very own commercial! You will need to plan, design, and “perform” this oral
presentation. You could also tape it instead of “performing” in front of the class.
That will be up to you . This oral presentation/info-mercial is designed to provide
information about your state, persuade people to come and visit, and show off some
of the neat things that there are to do there.
CHOICE #3—POSTER/LEARNING CENTER
This is your opportunity to show case your “display” talents! This product lets you
really get creative. This choice should include at least 5 facts or types of
information about your state. This information should be both visual and written.
The information presented should be things that you would like people to know/see
about your state.
OTHER CHOICES—or you can make up your own—just get it pre-approved first
collage flip book mobile newspaper timeline
craft game model diorama singing
paper sculpture puzzle mural video PowerPoint/Key Note
PRODUCT DESCRIPTOR for PRODUCT CHOICE
PARTS ATTRIBUTES
Content/Information *sticks to/supports the topic
(20 points) *include at least 5 points of interest in your presentation
*editing should be correct—spelling, punctuation, and capitalization
*title should have capital letters beginning each word
Visuals *should be bright and colorful
(18) *should have a title
*visual should be put together in a neat and organized fashion
*visuals should go with your content
Credits *write your first and last name near the bottom of your visual
(2 points)
40 points total possible
A = 23-25 points B = 20-22 points C= 17-19 points D = 14-16 points
ORAL PRESENTATION RUBRIC
PARTS ATTRIBUTES
Introduction *introduce yourself
(2 points) *explain and name the purpose of presentation
Content *sticks to/supports the topic
(20 points) *topic and vocabulary appropriate for the topic
*include at least 5 topics of interest in your presentation
Conclusion *summarizes the presentation
(1 point) *includes a thank you to audience for listening
Questions/Comments *asks if there are any questions or comments
(2 points) *listens patiently
*gives appropriate answers
25 points total
A = 23-25 points B = 20-22 points C = 17-19 points D = 14-16 points