In many 5th grades, learning about the United States is a topic in the Social Studies curriculum. Factual information is readily available in print and on the Internet. This project seeks to personalize the study of the 50 states by providing students with a connection to other 5th graders who live in the U.S.A. As well as getting first-hand information from other 5th graders your students will acquire online communication skills as they meet social studies curricular goals.

Exchange of information will be via e-mail and we will develop a project web site to share pictures, descriptions, projects and links contributed by the students involved with the project.

To register your class and participate in this exciting project send the following information to: usaproj@yahoo.com

Teacher's Name:
School:
School Address:
School web site (if available):
Latitude and Longitude of Your Community:
E-mail address:

A week prior to the Start Date you will receive an email with the list of participating classes e-mail addresses.

Exchange #1: Where Are You?

Your task: You will receive the latitude and longitude of participating classes. Students will locate these on a large US map and try to identify the name of each community.

Correct answers will be coming in the next e-mail exchange.

Develop map skills using real data
Locate places on a project map
Learn names and locations of states

Exchange #2: Comparing Schools

Your task: Mark your location on a map of your state. Mark the location of the capital. Send the name of your community (Check your "educated" guesses for the other participating classes!) Attach the map to your e-mail.

Have your class write a description of your classroom and your school.
Include digital photos if possible.

Suggested photos: your classroom, your school (outside), the playground, your class*, the library, the cafeteria, the main office

*photos with students will not be posted on the web site without permission

Gather some data to share.
How much traffic passes your school in 15 minutes?
Count number of vehicles.

Send to all participants.

Possible activities for students:

Compare other schools with ours. Look for similarities and differences. Do you have questions to ask one of the classes to learn more about them? Send e-mail with questions if you have some.

Create a graph or a table using this data and discuss what you might learn about the different schools locations from this information. Share your ideas.

Exchange #3

Comparing Communities

Your task: Email the following information, plus anything else you want to share to all participants.

How far are you from the capital? Are there any National Parks in your state? What is the geography of your area? Fifth graders study landforms and you may wish to send photos of different landforms also. Send a photo of your "Main Street".

Send photo attachments to project coordinator at usaproj@yahoo.com to be posted on the website.

We would like to know… (Questions from Ms. Moore's 5th grade)

What kind of places are there to eat in your community?
Where do you shop?
What do you do for fun?

Your class may want to know some other things too. Send your questions to all participants via email.

Interested classes may want to have students sketch their school, or places of interest in their community as an art project. Teachers can select some to be included on the web site. Send scanned images or digital photos of these to the Project Coordinator at usaproj@yahoo.com

Exchange #4

Weather Around the USA

On Earth Day describe the weather where you are. Sky conditions, precipitation, and temperature. Send to all participants.

This data offers opportunity for graphing and map activities.