Last modified: October 18, 2021

U.s. History Study – American States Research

Your assignment is to research and learn about American history by studying one of the 50 states. Your     state was assigned randomly and cannot be switched. You will create a poster and give an oral presentation to share what you have learned. The details of your research requirements are listed below.

Research Project Requirements:

Complete ALL of the following four items:

• Write a 1-3 paragraph historical summary that tells how your state became a state.
  • Was your state a territory before it became a state? When was the land purchased? Who were the people that helped the state become a state? What were the events that led to the state becoming a state?
• Write a 1 paragraph explanation of why your state is important and what it is best known for:
  • What is something that your state did first or last? What are some of the important historical events that have happened in your state? Is it the biggest, smallest, hottest, or coldest? What famous parks or attractions are located in your state?
• Create a chart of statistical information about your state:
  • What is the state flower, tree, bird, animal, song (or any other official state things)? What is the state nickname? How does your state rank compared to other states?  What is the state capital? What are the major colleges or universities in your state? What is the area (land size) and population of the state? Who are the government leaders of the state? Example of a CHART 
    • Title:  State Information (example only)
    • State Bird: Name of Bird
    • State Song: Name of Song
    • State Nickname: Nickname of the State

• Make a list of at least 3-5 “fun facts” about your state.
  • Choose interesting things that you find out about your state. Try to select facts that you think people won’t already know and that will be fun or “cool” to learn.

Complete ONE of the following two options

(You can choose to do both, if you have time)

• Write a 1 paragraph description of the physical geography of your state:
  • This paragraph could include the state location (the region of the country and the other states that border your state) landforms and other features, water types & sources, and city types-urban/rural.
• Write a 1-3 paragraph description of the climate, weather, natural disasters, and wildlife of your state:
  • This paragraph could include temperatures, rainfall, snowfall, and how jobs, agriculture and recreation are affected by the climate.

Complete ONE of the following two options

(You can choose to do both, if you have time)

• Make a list that identifies at least 3 famous Americans from your state.
  • Explain whether the famous American was an athlete, musician, scientist, inventor, politician, etc.  Give details to describe why the American was famous.
• Make a list to identify at least 3 tourist attractions from your state.
  • Explain what the tourist attraction is, as well as “why” the attraction is popular to tourists.

ALL projects must include the following item

• Create a bibliography/reference page that lists the resources you used for your research.
  • List the titles of the books and websites that you used to gather information for your report. Include the author’s name and the year the books/websites were published.

Poster Requirements:

    Your poster will need to display ALL of the following:

1. The research information that is listed above.
   • Historical Summary
   • State Importance
   • Statistical Information
   • Fun Facts
   • Geography OR Climate Description
   • 3 Famous Americans or 3 Tourist Attractions
   • Bibliography/Reference Page
2. A title (your state name)
3. The state’s motto
4. A physical map of your state that identifies the location of the capital city and important geographic landmarks.
5. Pictures of the state’s flag, bird and flower (optional: state seal, animal, sports teams).
6. Any other pictures or information you think is important.
7. Student names

 Poster Instructions:

1. After you have completed your research and gathered all of the information you need, you will then use it to complete the required paragraphs, chart, and lists from above.
2. You will need to type (or NEATLY write) your information and save it in a pages or Google document.
3. AFTER, all of your research information is typed and you think you are done, remember to go back to the research and poster requirements listed above and be sure you have finished all of the assignment requirements.
4. AFTER, you are sure ALL of the assignment requirements are finished, have another student read your work and give you feedback on questions they may have, things you might need to correct, as well as ideas to make it better.
5. When this is done, you will be able to print your work and start creating your poster.

 Research Resources:

Week 1 Research:

• State Books from Mrs. J
• State Books from the Provost School Library
• State Information Pages from Mrs. J

Week 2 Research:

• State Information Coloring Pages
• Culture Grams; States Edition
• KidsKonnect: States
• 50 States
• The US 50
• Kidtopia
• State Facts
• Links to state information on our class website
• USA States Quiz
• USA State Capitals Quiz

States & Capitals