WHERE IN THE WORLD AM I???

Focus: Students will learn to locate local, state and national landmarks on a map. Students will learn to identify national and state symbols.

Time Frame: Five days of 20-minute lessons

Subject: 6 - 8 grades special education students
(This lesson may also be used for preschool or kindergarten students)

Standards addressed:

• Reading and Writing Standard 1: Students will read and understand a variety of materials.
  
• Geography Standard 1: Students will know how to use and construct maps, globes, and other geographic tools to locate and derive information about people, places, and environments.

Materials/ Teacher Preparation:

• Computer lab and Internet access for Day 1. Computers should have a sound card and speakers to listen to the state song.
  
• Activity sheets from the websites (see support materials below)
• Colored pencils
  
• A variety of maps, including topographical map, for Day 2
• Colorado map puzzle for Day 2
  
• World Atlas such as It's a Big Big World Atlas, for Day 2
  
• American flag for Day 3
  
• Colorado State flag for Day 3
  
• Pictures of state flower and state bird from coloring book, for Day 4
• A variety of different materials (i.e. fabric, paper, textures) available and glue, to glue on the pictures for students who need tactual enhancement, for Day 4
  

Before you begin Day 1: "Book mark" the following website on the computers that students will be using: http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm

Before you begin Day 2:  download the maps from the following websites and make copies for each student: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/usa_blank2.jpg
http://EnchantedLearning.com/usa/statesbw/colorado.shtml
Enlarge the maps on a copier for coloring
Have a topographical map available for students who need tactual enhancement.

Before you begin Day 3: Download flags from the following websites and make copies of each for students:
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/color/xcoloramflag1.htm
http://enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/colorado/coloradoflag.shtml
enlarge the flags on a copier for coloring

Before you begin Day 4: Download the Bighorn sheep picture and information from the following website and make copies for each student: http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/mammals/sheep/Bighornsheep.shtml
Copy pictures of state flower and state bird from coloring book

Assessment:

• Teacher observation will be the method of assessment due to the needs of each individual student
  
• Each student will be expected to attend to the lesson
  
• Students will identify the U.S. map and the Colorado Map. Students will identify the state of
• Colorado on the U.S. map and the city of Longmont on the Colorado map by verbalizing or pointing to the place on the map
  
• Students will identify what they have learned and retained through verbal questions about the flags and state symbols. Students will convey what they have learned verbally or by pointing to pictures.
  
• Each student will be assessed according to IEP goals and objectives
  

Possible Procedures:

Day 1: Computer learning time- students will look at "book marked" sites on the Internet

1. Introduction: Teacher will explain to students that they will be looking at information about Colorado- the state that they live in! Students will need to be shown how to use the computer and how to find "book marks".
   
2. Students will find the "book marked" site of the Colorado State Archives on the computer: http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm. (Some students may need assistance in opening the website and accessing the links on the website)
   
3. On the site, students will look at the state seal, flag, emblems, and symbols.
   • Have students click on State Flag to view the Colorado state flag. After viewing, have students click on the Back arrow.
   • Have students click on State Animal. After viewing, have students click on the Back arrow.
   • Have students scroll down and click on State Song. Then have students click on listen to the state song and then Where the Columbines Grow (your computer must have a sound card and speakers to listen to the song without headphones).
     
   • Encourage the students to explore the site after completing the lesson.
     
   • After viewing the state flag, state animal, listening to the state song and exploring the site on their own, have students share what they learned, what they saw and what they found on the website!

Day 2: Map day- students will look at, color, and learn about the U.S. map and the Colorado state map and locate Colorado and Longmont on the maps.

1. Introduction: students will look at the U.S. map in the atlas such as 'It's a Big Big World Atlas' and teachers will point out the state of Colorado on the map. Students will also look at the map of Colorado and teachers will point out the city of Longmont. Use the topographical map for students who need a "tactual" map.
   
2. Give each student a copy of the map of the United States to color and to identify the state of Colorado.
   
3. Ask students if they can identify Colorado on their U.S. map. Some students may need to have it pointed out for them or have "Colorado" written on the state for them to identify more easily.
   Give each student a copy of the map of Colorado to identify where Longmont is located. Ask students if they can identify Longmont on their Colorado maps- if not, the city should be highlighted or circled for easier identification.
   
4. For students who can read and answer questions about Colorado, have them read the information at http://EnchantedLearning.com/usa/states/colorado and answer the quiz questions at: http://EnchantedLearning.com/usa/statesbw/colorado.shtml
   For students who can't answer written questions, the enlarge the map for coloring. The large map may be needed for easier identification of icons.
   
5. Have students put together the puzzle of the map of Colorado. Ask them to identify Longmont and other areas of interest!

Day 3: Flag day- students will look at, color, and learn about the American flag and Colorado state flag.

1. Introduction: Students will be shown the American flag and the Colorado state flag. Teachers will discuss the colors of the flags. Take a walk with students inside or outside of school to find the American flag and the Colorado flag!
   
2. Students will color the American flag on their handout.
   
3. Students will color the Colorado state flag and answer questions about the flag found on the handout.
   
4. For students who can't answer written questions, enlarge the flag for coloring!

Day 4: Colorado symbols day- students will learn about the Colorado state bird, state animal and state flower.

1. Introduction: Introduce students to important state symbols by showing them pictures of the state bird (Bunting), the state animal ( Bighorn Sheep), and the state flower (Columbine). Have students look at a real columbine if available.
2. Have students color/ glue materials (fabric, paper, textures) onto their own pictures of each state symbol.

Day 5: Conclusion- students will have an overview of the previous lesson and be assessed on what they have learned.

1. Review of information and visuals that have been covered in the previous days' activities.
2. Assess students on what they have learned and retained through verbal questions about the maps, flags and state symbols. Students will convey what they have learned verbally or by pointing to pictures.

Support Materials:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/usa_blank2.jpg
http://EnchantedLearning.com/usa/statesbw/colorado.shtml
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/color/xcoloramflag1.htm
http://enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/colorado/coloradoflag.shtml
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/mammals/sheep/Bighornsheep.shtml

- Heather Shand, Heritage Middle School