States Project: Third graders studied a U.S. state that they selected. Each student made a state alphabet book about his or her state. For each letter of the alphabet, they found a corresponding factual statement and illustration. Information about Jewish life and synagogues in that state were included in the “J” and “S” pages.

Corresponding Standards in the HDS Third Grade Curriculum:

Geography:

• Use keys, compass and grid to locate information on a map; use longitude and latitude
• Identify states and their locations; draw a map of the U.S.
• Describe physical features of major regions of the U.S. and distinguish between natural and man-made resources

Inquiry:

• Gather information responsive to a question, construct an answer and publicly present the answer to others
• Locate multiple sources of information, electronic and traditional
• Organize and present information using maps, graphs, tables
• Interpret maps, graphs, tables

Writing:

• Write for a variety of purposes including to inform, entertain and describe
• Write using only cursive
• Write, revise and edit half of all written work
• Use rubric or other self-assessment tools to evaluate quality
• Write informational research paper, 2-3 pages in length
• Use all five stages of the writing process: researching, drafting, revising, editing, publishing