Moultrie Explorer: A Journey Through Our Town's Heart

Subject Areas: Social Studies (Local History, Civics), Language Arts (Research, Writing, Presentation)

Designed for: Aria (13-year-old homeschool student)

Introduction: Welcome, Moultrie Explorer! (Approx. 30 minutes)

Today, Aria, you're going on an exciting adventure right here in Moultrie! We're going to uncover the stories of our town, learn how it works, and discover how we share its charm with others. Think of yourself as a detective, a journalist, and a town ambassador all rolled into one!

Discussion:

What do you already know about Moultrie's history?
Have you ever wondered what a "Chamber of Commerce" actually does?
Why do you think local news is important for a town like ours?
What's the first place you'd send a visitor who wants to learn about Moultrie?

Part 1: Stepping Back in Time - Historic Moultrie (Approx. 1.5 - 2 hours)

Let's dive into Moultrie's past! Your mission is to uncover fascinating stories, people, and places that have shaped our town.

Activity: Digital Dig

Using the internet, research the history of Moultrie, GA. Look for:
- How and when Moultrie was founded.
- Key historical figures.
- Important historical events or industries.
- Historic landmarks or buildings (e.g., Colquitt County Courthouse, Moultrie Commercial Historic District).
Resources to explore:
- Search for "History of Moultrie GA," "Colquitt County Historical Society."
- Look for online articles, historical markers, or virtual tours.
Take notes on at least 5-7 interesting historical facts or aspects you discover. Make sure to note where you found your information!

Reflection Question: What's the most surprising or interesting thing you've learned about Moultrie's history so far?

Part 2: The Town's Business Hub - Chamber of Commerce (Approx. 1 hour)

Every town has organizations that help it grow and thrive. One of the most important is the Chamber of Commerce. Let's find out what the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce does.

Activity: Chamber Investigation

Visit the website for the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce.
Explore the site to find out:
- What is its mission or purpose?
- What services does it offer to local businesses?
- What events or programs does it organize for the community?
- How does it help promote Moultrie?
In your notebook, list 3-5 key functions of the Chamber of Commerce based on your research.

Thought Starter: If you owned a new small business in Moultrie, how might the Chamber of Commerce help you?

Part 3: Getting the Scoop - Local News (Approx. 1 hour)

How do people in Moultrie stay informed about what's happening locally? Local news plays a crucial role!

Activity: News Reporter for a Day

Explore the website of a local Moultrie news source (e.g., The Moultrie Observer).
Look at different sections: local news, community events, sports, opinion pieces (if available).
Consider these questions:
- What kind of stories are covered?
- How does local news help people in Moultrie know what's going on?
- Why is it important for a community to have its own news source?
In your notebook, write a short paragraph explaining the importance of local news in Moultrie, using examples from what you saw.

Creative Spark: If you were a reporter for The Moultrie Observer, what local story would you want to cover and why?

Part 4: Moultrie's Welcome Mat - The Welcome Center (Approx. 45 minutes)

When visitors come to Moultrie, or even if new residents arrive, where can they go to get information and a friendly greeting? The Welcome Center!

Activity: Virtual Visit

Search online for information about the Moultrie Welcome Center (this might be part of the city's official website or a tourism site).
Find out:
- Where is it located?
- What kind of information or services does it provide (e.g., maps, brochures, event information, directions)?
- Who does the Welcome Center serve (visitors, new residents, community members)?
Imagine you are working at the Welcome Center. A family has just arrived in Moultrie for the first time. What are three key things you would tell them or give them to help them explore the town?

Part 5: Show What You Know! - Moultrie Ambassador Project (Approx. 2-3 hours, can be spread over days)

Now it's time to bring all your discoveries together! You're going to become a Moultrie Ambassador and create a project to share what you've learned about historic Moultrie, the Chamber of Commerce, local news, and the Welcome Center.

Choose ONE of the following projects:

A "Discover Moultrie" Travel Brochure: Design a colorful and informative brochure highlighting key historical spots, the role of the Chamber, where to find local news, and what the Welcome Center offers. (Can be handmade or digitally created).
A "Moultrie Spotlight" Video Script: Write a script for a short (2-3 minute) video that introduces people to these aspects of Moultrie. You can act it out or just write the script.
A "Moultrie Explorer" Blog Post: Write an engaging blog post (around 300-500 words) sharing your findings, as if you're encouraging others to explore Moultrie.
A Presentation for Newcomers: Create a short slideshow (5-7 slides) or a poster presentation designed to inform new residents about Moultrie's history and key community resources.

Your project should include:

At least three interesting historical facts or landmarks.
An explanation of what the Chamber of Commerce does for Moultrie.
A mention of why local news is important.
Information about the Welcome Center and its services.

Be creative and have fun with it! This is your chance to show off your expertise on Moultrie.

Conclusion & Sharing (Approx. 30 minutes)

Once your project is complete, share it! We'll discuss:

What was the most interesting part of this exploration for you?
What did you learn about Moultrie that you didn't know before?
How do these different parts (history, Chamber, news, Welcome Center) work together to make Moultrie what it is?

Great job, Moultrie Explorer Aria! You've done fantastic work uncovering the heart of our community.