1. Go Maryland! 1. Question & Research Task
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Go Maryland! 1. Question & Research Task
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Maryland may be a small state, but it has much to offer! Within its borders, our state has many features that are found throughout the whole country – that is why Maryland’s nickname is “America in Miniature”.
Maryland is divided into three geographical regions – the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont Plateau, and the Appalachian Mountains. Watch the video on the right to learn more about the regions.
You will choose a region to research further and then create a product that will encourage others to visit this region. As you work, you will consider how physical, economic, and human resources contribute to decision making.
Click the image of the state of Maryland to view a video about the state from Discovery Education.
Image Source: sos.Maryland.gov
In this Slam Dunk, you will conduct brief, focused research to respond to the inquiry question:
What impact do physical, economic and human resources have on decision making?

2. Physical Geography Features
2. Information Sources
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Choose several of the information sources linked here to complete the Student Activity on Slide 3.
Physical Geography Features
Economic Resources
Human Resources
General Recources
Maryland: Geography
Interactive Maryland County Map
Maryland Geography
Geography of Maryland
Maryland and Its Counties
Maryland: Cities
Places to Visit in Maryland
Transportation In and Around Maryland
Visit Maryland
Maryland: Culture
Maryland: Spotlights
The Fifty States: Maryland
Maryland Time Machine
Culturegrams
World Book: Maryland
Explora: Maryland
Flag of Maryland

3. 3. Student Activity
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Your task is to create a product that will persuade people to visit Maryland. Choose one region. Using this graphic organizer, record information you could use to influence people to visit this region of Maryland.
Think about:
What geographic features are found in your region?
What industries will attract visitors?
What cities/towns are found in your region?
What attractions will people find?
How will people travel around the region?
Image Source: BCPS

4. 4. Assessment Activity
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What impact do physical, economic and human resources have on decision making?
Choose a product to persuade people to visit your region of Maryland. Some options are listed below:
Brochure
Ad poster
Audio public service announcement using Audacity or VoiceThread. (Directions for Creating, Saving and Exporting Audacity)
A video public service announcement using your device or a video camera
Use this project checklist to help you create your product.
Image Source:

5. 5. Enrichment Activities
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Visit Antietam
Image Source: netTrekker by subscription
Image Source: Preservation Maryland, used with permission
Visit Historic St. Mary’s City
Image Source: World Book Student
State Symbols
Image source:
Chesapeake Bay

6. 6. Teacher Resources 1 2 3 4 5 6 Learning Standards Alignment
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Learning Standards Alignment
Social Studies Standards
Standard 3.0 Geography
See attached document for all standards.
Common Core State Standards
Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
AASL National Standard for Learners
1.B.2-Learners engage with new knowledge by following a process that includes devising and implementing a plan to fill knowledge gaps. 
1.B.3-Learners engage with new knowledge by following a process that includes generating products that illustrate learning. 
1.C.4- Learners will adapt, communicate, and exchange learning products with others in a cycle that includes sharing products with an authentic audience. 
4.A.3-  Learners act on an information need by making critical choices about information sources to use.
4.B.4 Learners gather information appropriate to the task by organizing information by priority, topic, or other systematic scheme.
P21 Standards
LIS 02.a - Develop, implement, and communicate new ideas to others effectively.
Grade 4 Library Media: Unit 7
Objective: Students will be conduct brief, focused research in order to to gather information about Maryland and promote a region based on its physical characteristics and resulting human activities.
Time Frame: Three 50 minute class periods
Differentiation strategies for this lesson:
Have students use learning supports provided in any BCPS-licensed Digital Content included in this lesson.
Use Digital Content Snapshots & Support resources as needed to customize or personalize student learning.
Notes to the teacher:
Direct links to PebbleGO, BrainPOP, and BrainPOP Jr. will not work in the PowerPoint version of this Slam Dunk; however, they will work in the PDF version. If you wish to personalize this Slam Dunk, make your modifications in PowerPoint and then save your changes as a PDF. Students should view this Slam Dunk as a PDF.
The brochure and posters can be printed and created by hand if necessary.
This lesson is for the Library Media Curriculum.
Last updated: July Report broken links to BCPS Library Media Programs & Digital Resources BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2018, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. This lesson may be used for educational, non-profit school use only. All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Dr. Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Digital Lesson model.