Title: Explore the United States Using Multiple Data Resources (4th)

Directions: Use more than one resource to research your selected state. Find the data needed to complete the student activities. Prepare an informational booklet for media center display. 

Use this pathfinderto help you find information on Internet and in the media center about your state. Search as many places as necessary in order to gather information for your research.

• Step 1: Choosing key words
• Step 2: Using specialized Internet sources - online services
• Step 3: Using internet links
• Step 4: Using search engines
• Step 5: Using Media Center resources
• Step 6: Citing electronic sources 

Key Words

State name
Geography
History
Flag
Biographies
Newspapers

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Specialized Internet Sources - Online Services

The following are online services subscribed to by schools in MCPS.

World Book Encyclopedia
This online encyclopedia includes a lengthy article on each state as well as related articles and Internet links to other sources of information on your state.

SIRS Discoverer
Use this to find magazine articles and up-to-date graphics about your state. Indicates reading level of articles.

Newsbank's SchoolMate Kids Page
Use this to find magazine (KidsPage) and newspaper (SchoolMate) articles about your state.

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Internet Links

These links have information that will help you successfully complete this project.

U.S. State Facts
Basic facts about each state

50 States and Capitals
Extensive links for every state.

Visit the National Parks by State
Choose a state to find information about its national parks.

Washington Post Search the States
News and other current information about each state.

Color Landform Atlas of the United States
Maps, including satellite photos, and links to states.

Maps On Us
Provides directions and estimates time needed for car trips.

The Weather Channel Home Page
Browse by state and city to learn current weather conditions.

U.S. Mint 50 State Quarters Program
A unique quarter will be designed for each state, in the order of admission to the Union.

Geobopological Survey:World:North America Home Page!
Choose a state to find information about its flag and symbols.

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Internet Search Engines

Ask Jeeves for Kids
Ask Jeeves a question about your state. Use keywords to narrow search.

Kids Click!
Choose your state on Kids Click Geography/History/Biography:States page.

 
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Media Center Resources

PATRON'S CATALOG: This is an electronic catalog of media center print and nonprint resources.

• Find out if the media center has a book about your state.
• Celebrate the States series
• Hello U.S.A. series
• Check the index in these atlases to see if they have information on your state:
  • Kids' U.S. Road Atlas
  • Nystrom Atlas of Our Country
  • Nystrom Map Champ Atlas
  • Nystrom World Atlas
  • Reader's Digest Children's World Atlas

CD-ROMS:

Children's Atlas of the United States
Map 'N Facts (PC Globe)
National Geographic Picture Atlas of the World
U.S.Atlas (Mindscape)

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Citing Electronic Sources

Citing your sources is an important part of research. Use Works Cited to keep a record of the resources you use for this activity.

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Return to	Lesson Plan	Student Activity	Rubric	Works Cited
Return to	Travilah Home	Travilah Walkabout	Electronic Literacy	MCPS Home

 

Last Updated on October 26, 2000
Maintained by School Library Media Specialist <MaryBeth_Castonguay@fc.mcps.k12.md.us>