1.  How many of North Carolina's state symbols do you know? Learn some new symbols by exploring this site. Be sure to click on the camera image to see pictures of the symbols. Which of our state's symbols do you find the most interesting? unusual?
 

2.  You can learn about the people and the three branches of North Carolina's state government by exploring this site. Who is our Governor? Who are our two US Senators?
 

4.  How many famous people do you know who are from North Carolina? Read all about famous people from North Carolina at this site. If you could invite a famous North Carolinian (dead or still alive) to have dinner at your house, who would it be?
 

5.  Learn more about the life and exploits of the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard! What is your opinion of Blackbeard's exploits (adventures)??
 

6.  Dolley Madison was born in North Carolina and later became one of America's First Ladies! Why do people consider her one of the most important and beloved of all the First Ladies?
 

7.  Learn  about the early life of Wilbur and Orville Wright and then read about their First Flight at Kitty Hawk, NC. If you could ask Wilbur or Orville a question, what would it be? 
 

8.  Read some scary North Carolina legends and ghost stories at this site. Which story do you think is the most creepy and scary?

 <>
9.  You can take virtual fieldtrips to all the lighthouses on the NC coast, to places in Raleigh, and see all the NC mountains to see all the waterfalls there!<>

10.  There are some fun puzzles to solve and virtual fieldtrips that you can take from this site.
 
        

ACTIVITY #1: Make Puzzles Based on Information Learned while
Exploring North Carolina Websites

1. Grade Level:	These sites are recommended for 4th graders who are learning about North Carolina.
2. Approximate Time of Activity:	Students will spend 10-20 minutes exploring most sites. The puzzlemaking activity described below will take about 30-45 minutes to complete.
3. Integrating Subject Areas	Students will integrate Social Studies and Communication Skills (especially reading, writing, and spelling) in this activity. They will also need to use problem solving and critical thinking skills.
4. Rationale for this Activity:	This activity is valuable because it requires 4th graders to apply knowledge learned about North Carolina.
5. NC Standard Course of Study Objectives:	SKILL I:  The learner will acquire information from a variety of sources.      SKILL II: The learner will use information for problem solving, decision making, and planning.      Competency Goal 1: The learner will analyze the characteristics of the people of North Carolina.
6. Activity Sequence:	1.  After visiting the websites about Fun Firsts, Blackbeard, the Wright Brothers, Famous People, or NC symbols, students will make a puzzle using one of the tools from Puzzlemaker.     2.  Students may select any type of word puzzle they like from the Puzzlemaker site, but must include at least 5 facts, words, or clues in their puzzle.      3.  Students may work on their own or in pairs on this project.      4.  The completed puzzle with an answer key should be printed out and turned in to the teacher so it can be duplicated for the class to try.
7. Assessment criteria:	Accuracy of information and spelling are very important.       Appropriate selection and use of puzzle tools is also important.

 

ACTIVITY #2:  Writing News Feature Articles about Famous North Carolinians

1. Grade Level:	These sites are recommended for 4th graders who are learning about North Carolina.
2. Approximate Time of Activity:	This activity will take about 15-30 minutes for research and about 30-45 minutes for writing a first draft.
3. Integrating Subject Areas	Students will integrate research, writing, and computer (keyboarding and word processing) skills.
4. Rationale for this Activity:	This activity is valuable because it requires 4th graders to practice expository writing and use their computer skills.
5. NC Standard Course of Study Objectives:	Social Studies objectives:       SKILL I:  The learner will acquire information from a variety of sources.      Competency Goal 1: The learner will analyze the characteristics of the people of North Carolina.  Technology Competencies:      2.1 -  Use technology tools used to collect, analyze, and display data.       2.10 Use search strategies to locate information electronically.       3.1 Create, format, save, and print a word processed document.
6. Activity Sequence:	1.  Students will do research, take notes, and write a feature article about a famous person from North Carolina.      2. The article must answer the questions who? what? when? where? and why or how? in an expository paragraph of about 100 words. The student should also develop an interesting title for their article.      3.  Once the teacher has approved a draft of the article, the student will word process the final draft so that it can be included in a class newsletter or newspaper about Famous North Carolinians.
7. Assessment criteria:	The article answers all of the 5 W's, is accurate, and has an interesting title. The article is factual and is not copied or plagiarized. Final copy is word processed with no mistakes.

REFLECTIONS after field-testing these activities with 4th graders should go here.