Social Studies Project - States Ideas

So I have to pick a social studies project to do with my 2nd/3rd grade class. I want to do a States Project. And I need ideas.

I'm drawing a vague memory that back in 4th grade when I was in school I had to draw and label the entire USA on oaktag. I want to do something a lil more research based. Something like they pick a state and have to put together some important facts to present.

Can anyone guide me in the right direction?

I want this project due after the New year so they have time to put it together.

TIA!

Re: Social Studies Project - States Ideas

I've never done this, but I've seen where each student needs to pick a state and create a state box. You could put the criteria on the outside they would need (a drawn map, a picture of the state flag, 5 facts, etc) and then on the inside they could have 2 or 3 things that represent their state ( a picture of the state flower, a recipe for the state cake, a state quarter, etc.) The great thing about them is you could set them up in the room, and during free time, kids could check out a box and learn about the different states.

I have , while studying state history in 4the grade, had students make salt dough maps of the state (all the same state), with blue dough representing water, white the coast, green the plateaus, and brown the mountains.

Re: Social Studies Project - States Ideas

What about a travel brochure for people wanting to visit the state? They can include all of the details in the brochure.

Re: Social Studies Project - States Ideas

You could have the students pick a state and cut it out in the shape of the state on oak tag and on the inside have them put the facts about the state,

I do this (and travel brochures- I give the kids a choice) for the 13 colonies and they always come out cute.

Re: Social Studies Project - States Ideas

a third grade class at my school did this. each student researched two states. the teacher had a huge map/mural made up and cut up- then they added key places etc on the map and taped it to the wall in the hallway. all around the map are the travel brochures that they made as well.

Re: Social Studies Project - States Ideas

I love the Travel Brochure Idea and even the creating a box one.

You don't think doing 2 states is too much? I only have 14 kids, so doing 2 states would expose them to more.

Also should I assign states? I've already decided they aren't allowed to do NY because that would be the easiest and I would get too many projects about it.

Re: Social Studies Project - States Ideas

I have my kids pick a state out of a bag. I also take out states that they are familiar with like NY and NJ. This way there is more exposure to other states like Wyoming and Montana.