Use level : 3rd grade

Time: Early Spring

Assignment: 3rd grade Team Kidspiration project

Lower School Reynolds Library Pathfinder

Procedure: Each third grade student picks a state from a hat in a third grade language group. Students come to library in L.A. groupings and check out individual state book from new CompassPoint states’ series, in the 975+ area of nonfiction in the library.

Students work in L.A. classes to read and comprehend the facts about their country. Each student completes an Inspiration web of a state in the Lower School computer lab, following a Mrs. DeVoe’s template.

Print Sources:

975. – 979. (various authors), CompassPoint “This Land Is Your Land” series of state books, 54 items on shelf ( two copies each of New York, Massachusetts, Florida and Virginia).

Database: Sirs Discoverer Deluxe

Materials rated “easy” (green book icon) can be used by third graders successfully.

Enter words by natural language in search window: search your state name in subject window, or click on “Countries” icon. Scroll down on right to “United States.” Click on it. On the right, under “Topics/Subtopics,” click on “Country Facts: State Profiles,” then scroll down to your state name and click on it.

Each Country Fact entry shares the same format, basic state information, like motto, flower, etc., all the way to “Wacky Facts.”

SIRS contains many sources: periodical, encyclopedia, World Almanac For Kids, biographies, photographs, newspapers and recommended websites. All materials can be printed or sent to email address as wished by user.

You can use SIRS Discoverer off-campus through our school homepage. Contact me if you do not remember how to do it. My email is at end of this pathfinder.

Internet Resources:

States’ Websites:

http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/states.html

Explore the States
Source: America's Library, Library of Congress
Summary: Learn about the states of the union on this site featuring an interactive map of the U.S. Just click on the state you want to explore and learn about the past and present of that state.

http://www.50states.com

Facts and figures on the 50 states that may be useable for third graders, or with assistance. Lots of facts.

http://www.kids.gov/k_states.htm

This website is for elementary student use. Students should scroll down to state they want, and click on it. Images and facts are usually plentiful and up-to-date.

If your state, like Pennsylvania, Tennessee or Mississippi, is not listed, you can find a “kidspage” by going to “Google” and typing : your state’s name +”kidspage” in the search window. Example : “Pennsylvania +”kidspage” gives you several choices to explore, from state butterflies to PA geology.

Maryland :

http://www.mdkidspage.org

A model of its kind, this website has many useful features for elementary students to use. Over the years, it has developed a kid-friendly organization. Site includes, but is not limited to, famous people, placess, state facts, and up-to-date statistics on everything Maryland. It is updated frequently.

Interactive website:

U.S. Geography Tutorial
Source: Surabaya International School
Summary: This online tutorial is designed to help students learn the names and locations of U.S. states. The viewer is quizzed on the names of states using a clickable map--click on "cheat" to see a map with the states labeled.

Please feel free to contact Linda Jeffries-Summers, the Lower School Librarian, with any further questions you may have.

Email me by clicking here!. (Click on underlined word.)