Lesson Plan: The Great American State-by-State Expedition

Subject: U.S. Geography, Research, and Creative Writing

Grade Level: 7th-8th Grade (Designed for a 13-year-old student, Naomi)

Project Duration: Full School Year (Approximately 1 state per week, with buffer weeks for introduction, catch-up, and final assembly)

Project Goal: To research each of the 50 U.S. states and compile the findings into a comprehensive, creative, and personally designed book.

Core Supplies: A large 3-ring binder, page protectors, high-quality paper (lined and unlined), colored pencils, markers, pens.
Research Tools:
- A good U.S. Atlas or large wall map.
- Access to a computer with internet for online research (library databases, reputable encyclopedias like Britannica School, National Geographic Kids, official state government websites).
- Library card for accessing non-fiction books about U.S. states and history.
Optional Creative Supplies:
- Scrapbooking paper, stickers related to travel or U.S. themes.
- A camera or smartphone for any related hands-on projects (e.g., cooking a state recipe).
- Access to a digital design tool (like Canva or Google Slides) if a digital book format is preferred.

By the end of this year-long project, Naomi will be able to:

Synthesize Information: Gather, evaluate, and combine information from at least three different types of sources (e.g., atlas, website, book) for each state.
Organize and Communicate: Structure research findings into clear, well-written, and engaging summaries for a consistent book format.
Analyze and Connect: Identify and explain the unique relationship between a state's geography, history, and its modern culture or economy.
Design and Create: Produce a high-quality, organized, and creative final product (a physical or digital book) that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the 50 states.

Lesson Structure and Procedure

This phase is about planning the project to give Naomi ownership and a clear roadmap.

Introduction to the Expedition: Discuss the goal – creating an amazing, one-of-a-kind book about the 50 states. This isn't just a report; it's her book. Frame it as being an author and a researcher.
Brainstorm Book Content: Together, decide what "chapters" or sections each state's entry will have. This creates a template for research. Aim for a mix of standard facts and fun, creative elements.
Example Sections:
- State Fact File: Capital, abbreviation, statehood date, population, state bird/flower/tree.
- Mapping the State: A hand-drawn or printed map marking major cities, rivers, and one key landmark.
- A Trip Through Time: A short summary of a major historical event that shaped the state.
- Famous Faces: Profile of one interesting person from the state (past or present).
- Culture Corner: What is the state known for? (e.g., Music in Tennessee, technology in California, cheese in Wisconsin).
- "Try This!": A fun, interactive element. This is Naomi's choice! It could be a famous state recipe to cook, a playlist of music from the region, learning a few words of a local dialect or Native American language, or designing a new state license plate.
Create the Timeline: Decide on the order of research. Let Naomi choose!
- By Region? (e.g., All New England states, then the South, etc.)
- Alphabetical? (Alabama to Wyoming)
- By Date of Statehood? (Delaware first!)
Map this out on a calendar to create a weekly schedule.

This is the core research and creation cycle, repeated for each state.

Monday - The Lay of the Land (Approx. 1 hour):
- Locate the state on a U.S. map. Identify its neighbors.
- Complete the "State Fact File" section using an atlas and a trusted online encyclopedia.
- Begin the "Mapping the State" page by drawing or printing a blank state map.
Wednesday - The Deep Dive (Approx. 1.5-2 hours):
- Research and write the "Trip Through Time" and "Famous Faces" sections. Encourage looking for lesser-known stories, not just the most obvious ones.
- Investigate the "Culture Corner." What makes this state unique? Watch short documentaries or tourism videos.
Friday - Create & Complete (Approx. 1.5-2 hours):
- Finalize all written sections. Edit for clarity and grammar.
- Complete the "Try This!" interactive element. If it's cooking, take a picture of the result. If it's a playlist, write down the song list.
- Artistically lay out the 1-2 pages for the state, adding drawings, pictures, and creative touches. Place the finished pages in the binder.

This phase is for finalizing the book as a complete work.

Book Assembly: Organize all 50 state entries in the chosen order.
Create Front & Back Matter:
- Cover Page: Design a creative and engaging cover.
- Table of Contents: List all states and their page numbers.
- Introduction: Write a one-page intro explaining the project and what the "author" learned.
- "About the Author" Page: A fun, short bio of Naomi.
- Bibliography/Sources Page: List the primary books, websites, and resources used throughout the project.
Final Presentation: Celebrate the completion of the project! Have Naomi present her finished book, sharing her favorite state to research and the most interesting thing she learned.

Voice and Choice: Naomi drives the creative decisions, from the order of the states to the content of the "Culture Corner" and "Try This!" sections. This ensures the project stays aligned with her interests.
Flexible Output: If she prefers digital tools, the entire book can be created in Google Slides or Canva instead of a physical binder. This caters to her learning style and technical skills.
Pacing: The one-state-per-week schedule is a guide. If a state is particularly interesting, she can spend more time on it. If another is less complex, she can finish it more quickly. The buffer weeks accommodate this flexibility.

The focus is on the process and the final product, not tests.

Formative Assessment (Weekly):
- A brief weekly check-in to review the completed state pages.
- Feedback will be conversational, focusing on: "What was the most surprising fact you found?" "How could we make this page even more visually interesting?" "Is your source for this information reliable?" This keeps the project on track and provides ongoing support.

Summative Assessment (Final Project):

Category	Criteria for Excellence
Research & Content (40%)	All 50 states are included. Information is accurate, thorough, and demonstrates synthesis from multiple sources. All required sections are complete for each state.
Organization & Clarity (25%)	The book is logically organized with a clear table of contents. Each state entry is easy to follow. Writing is clear, well-edited, and engaging.
Creativity & Design (25%)	The book is visually appealing and shows significant personal effort. The "Try This!" sections are thoughtful and creative. Layout and design choices enhance the content.
Project Completion (10%)	The project is completed in its entirety, including the cover, introduction, and bibliography. Deadlines were met consistently throughout the year.