State Report Guidelines

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We will begin the new year by having our student’s research and write a state report. It will culminate with our 5th Grade State Fair on January 30, 2013.

Attached are the guidelines for students to follow in writing the report. Most of the report will be researched and written in class however the poster, oral presentation and final written report will be done outside of school.

We ask that you guide your son or daughter in doing research on the state. Students must write the report using their own thoughts and words and not copy from books or other sources. Students should enjoy doing the state report from their own perspective. Your encouragement will mean a lot to your son or daughter!

The student will also give an oral presentation on the states. They will present their state poster and any other items for display at our “5th Grade State Fair” on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.

State Report Guidelines
The State Report will be done using a report notes packet before writing the final report. Students are to organize their reports using this packet.
The State Report Notes are due Wednesday, January 16th. After the teacher checks the packets, they will be returned, and the students may begin work on their rough drafts.
For the rough draft the student should take the State Report Notes and following the State Report Categories, write their state report in their own words. These can be handwritten in pencil. These will be due on Wednesday January 23rd.
The Final Draft and State Poster will be due on Wednesday January 30th. These may be typed or may be handwritten in blue or black ink, skipping lines. If typed, the report should be done in 12-point font, Times New Roman and double-spaced. Students should use their imagination and creativity in making an interesting report!

Oral presentations will be on Wednesday 1/30, Thursday 1/31, and Friday 2/1
Guidelines:
• Tell when your state was added to the Union.
• Tell your State’s Nickname.
• Show your State Flag (from your report) and explain the meaning and importance of the flag.
• Name and briefly describe three famous people from your state.
• Tell the five best things about your state.
• Remember your presentation should be 2-3 minutes long.

State Poster Requirements: (must include the following but anything else is great too!)
• Poster cut out in the shape of your state
• Important facts about your state
• Your favorite thing you learned about your state
• Major Cities (including State Capital)
• Famous Places
• Make your poster exciting. Pretend you are a travel agent and you are trying to get people to visit your state!



STATE REPORT CATEGORIES

1. COVER
List the following information on your top cover sheet:
Title (name of your state)
Name (your own, first & last) and number
Grade (5th or Fifth Grade)
Teacher (Mrs. Berven and Mrs. Thomas)
Date (Date that report is due)
You may add pictures, drawings, phrases, or anything else to make your cover page more exciting!

2. INTRODUCTION
(1/2 - page minimum)
Write about these using complete sentences:
a. What state you have been given.
b. What you thought/knew about your state before you started your report
c. What you will be writing and showing in your report.

3. HISTORY
Required: Write about at least two of these topics: (1-page minimum)
* Explorers * Indian tribes * Settlers * Government
* Past and current events * Wars and battles


4. FAMOUS PEOPLE
Required: Write about three famous people from your state: (1-page minimum)
* Presidents * Indians *Authors * Inventors
*War Hero’s *Athletes * Actors/Actresses

5. NATURAL RESOURCES / INDUSTRY/ PRODUCTS
Required: Make a chart or graph of at least one of the following:
• Farm crops (wheat, corn, cotton, etc.)
• Dairy products
• Mining (oil, coal, gold, silver, uranium, borax, etc.)
• Auto or other industries.
• Try http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx

6. STATE SYMBOLS
a. Required: illustrate or print your state seal and state flag.
b. Required: illustrate or print at least one of the following:
• State bird
• state flower
• state animal
7. CLOSING PARAGRAPH (REACTIONS)
Required: (1-page minimum)
Answer these questions using complete sentences for each category.
a. What did you like most about your state?
b. Why?
c. What did you dislike?
d. Why?
e. What makes your state interesting for others to want to visit or live there?
f. Tell about three things everyone should know and remember about your state.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!