1. New York State
4th Grade Curriculum

2. Introduction
This year in fourth grade you will learn all about our wonderful state of New York! Your year in 4th grade will begin with the history of New York state in which you will learn about topics such as how New York became a state, early travelers, Native Americans, and early industries. As the year progresses we will discuss more current topics about New York and end with the current day. To get us started I have developed a WebQuest activity to get your minds moving in the right direction. In this WebQuest you will research different websites and learn many facts about New York. You will be asked to do two activities that will show me what you learned on your journey!

3. Task You will explore at least three websites about New York State.
You will list three facts you learned from each of those sites.
You will create a poster board that displays 4 of those facts and present it to the class.
You will use pictures and labels on your poster board that are related to your facts.
You will write a letter to me explaining why you choose those four facts and what are you most excited to learn about New York State in 4th grade.

5. Process
Step 1: Explore at least three of the following sites. Click on different links to learn different facts about New York State. On the graphic organizer write three interesting facts your learned from each site you visited.
I Love NY – The Official New York State Tourism Site
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
New-York Historical Society
Fun and Facts Kids Room
Big Apple History
Ipl2 For Kids

6. Process Step 2: On a piece of poster board:
Write four facts that interested you the most about New York State
Come up with a creative title for your board
Use pictures and labels to help enhance your facts
Make sure it is neat and all your facts are correct
Include the websites that you used on the bottom of the poster board
Present your board to the class

7. Conclusion Write a letter to Ms. Scharf explaining: Your four facts
What website you liked best and best
What topics you are most excited to learn about in 4th grade social studies
This letter will be taken for a grade so please show me your best work!

8. Evaluation Criteria Indicators Good 2 Very Good 3 Excellent 4 Letter
Needs Improvement 1
Good 2
Very Good 3
Excellent 4
Letter
4 different facts
What website you liked the best
What do you want to learn about
Missing 2 or more of the 3 criteria
Missing 1 criteria
All criteria is met
All criteria is met and more
Presentation Board
Title
Pictures and labels
Websites listed
Creativity
Missing 3 or more of the 5 criteria
Missing 1-2 of the criteria
All criteria are met and more
Form
Neatness
Spelling
Sentence Structure
Organization
5 to 6 errors
3 to 4
errors
2-0 errors
No Errors