Title:  Create Your State 

Grade Level:  5, 6

Subjects:  Social Studies,  Language Arts, Art, Technology

Learner Outcomes:
    1.  Students will realize the difficulty of having a unified nation if each state has different rules.  They will see the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as it dealt with  issues relating to the states.

Duration of Lesson:  Two class periods

Materials:      Student Guidelines sheet
                     State Handbook Inside
                     State Handbook Cover
                     art materials as needed

Technology Tools/Courseware:  Internet

Teacher Notes:

       1.     Download State Handbook for students
       2.     Download and copy Student Guidelines
 

Procedures:

    1.  Tell students that they will be creating a new state for the United States.  They will need to work in groups to decide on a name, a flag, a motto, a form of currency, and laws.  Hand out the Student Guidelines sheet for their information.

    2.  Students will visit the following sites for information and ideas:
          www.50states.com/
          www.Usflag.org
          www.walka.com/ - colonial flags

    3.  Teacher will distribute State Handbooks, or students may create something independently.

    4.  Upon completion, each group will share their new state along with its laws, etc. and compare and contrast their state with the others.

Modifications:  as indicated by individual IEP's

Evaluation:  cooperative group work; thoughtfully and neatly completed handbook

WV IGO's:  5.16, 5.52, 5.54  English/Language Arts
                    5.1, 5.2  United States History

National Standards

References:   Graphics by becky http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Cottage/3900

Author: Sandy Cross
            Lesley Klishis
            Debby McConnell
            Mountainview Elementary School
 

e-mail:   ddmcconn@access.k12.wv.us
 
 
 
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
Lesson 7