This comprehensive 79-page PDF document includes everything you need to do an exciting, motivating, and fun state research project with your students. I've done this project every year for the last six years with my fifth graders, and it is always a success! Even more, the project is aligned with the ELA Common Core standards! For this exciting project, each student will become an expert on one of the 50 states. Students will begin by conducting thorough “A to Z” research about their states, where each letter of the alphabet correlates with a different topic. For example, E is for Economy, G is for Government, H is for History, I is for Interesting Event, and so on. Students will record their notes for each topic in the A to Z State Float Notes packet (included in this document). After completing their “A to Z” research and notes, each student will do the following activities: -make a creative and original float about their state -prepare samples of a food item that represents their state -compose a persuasive speech convincing people to visit their state -prepare a costume that represents their state and connects with their state speech -create a glog (an online interactive poster) about their state that includes digital images, text, music, and/or videos -design a personalized state license plate The project culminates with a State Float Parade. During this event, students will dress up in outfits that represent their state, and present their floats, license plates, speeches, glogs, and food items to guests. THIS 79-PAGE PDF DOCUMENT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: -Step-by-step teacher instructions for implementing the State Float Research Project -State Float Research Project Overview Packet: Provides an overview of the various project tasks -State Preferences Sheet: A sheet where students can submit the top seven states that they would be interested in researching -A to Z State Float Notes Packet: This packet includes A to Z notes sheets that students can use to research and record information about their states. Each notes sheet lists the letter of the alphabet, the topic, and guiding research questions. There is also space on the sheets to record notes and the sources that were used for information. There are 26 notes sheets altogether, each of which focuses on a different letter of the alphabet. For example, E is for Economy, F is for Flag, G is for Government, H is for History, and so on. -Helpful Research Websites: A list of 10 websites that students can use for researching their states -“A Taste of the States” Handout: Provides an overview of the requirements for the state food item -State Costume Requirements Handout: Provides an overview of the requirements for the state costume -State Float Requirements Packet: Provides detailed directions for creating the state float and includes a sheet that students can use for brainstorming what will go on their floats. -Pictures of Sample State Floats: Includes six pages of pictures of state floats that my students created this year -State Speech Overview Packet: Provides detailed directions for composing a persuasive state speech -State Glog Requirements: Provides detailed directions for creating a state glog on the Glogster website -State Speech Rehearsal Guidelines: Provides helpful tips for delivering the state speech -State License Plate Requirements: Provides detailed directions for creating a personalized state license plate -State Float Parade Event Checklists (4): Includes four detailed checklists that help teachers prepare for the culminating State Float Parade event. -Sample State Float Parade Event Invitation: A sample invitation for inviting parents and other guests to the State Float Parade Event -Sample “A Taste of the States” Flyer: A sample flyer for informing parents about where students' individual state speech presentations will occur -State Float Comment Cards Template: A form that you can place near each students' state float so that visitors can leave feedback for students -State Float Research Project Rubrics (3): Three rubrics that you can use to score students' work for different aspects of the State Float Research Project If you have any questions about the project, please ask! hope you'll enjoy doing this project with your students as much as I did! Created by: Tolu Noah