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New Teachers New York:
Lesson Plans by New Teachers, For New Teachers

Mapping America

Objective:

Students will research for the purpose of learning about the United States and New York.

Created by Lydia Wood
Location: P.S. 183Q
District: 27
Grade: 2nd grade
Subject: Social Studies

If you have any questions regarding this activity, please contact Lydia at:
metkulu@earthlink.net

Materials:

United States Jigsaw Puzzles
United States Template
New York State Template
Computers - with Encyclopedias (either on CD-ROM or online)

Procedure:

Divide students into small groups, and give them jigsaw puzzles of the United State to assemble.
When the puzzles are completed, have the students count all the states and record their findings.
Have students write out lists of all of the states.
Using the puzzle as a guide, have students draw their own map of the United States.
In their groups, have students go in their groups to the computer to find answers to various questions about certain states. (Examples: What is the state flag? What is the state bird?)

Homework:

Have students research who the President and Vice President of the United States are, as well as who the mayor and governor are in New York.

Final Activity:

Students gather all research design and assemble a class book called The United States and New York.

Teacher Notes:

Students were very excited about researching and finding information. They learned how to put a map together, record the states, execute research on the computer, and had practice in working cooperatively. They loved doing the puzzles and counting the states. Some students traced the puzzle map and all the individual states to make their own map for their project. Students suggested researching the other states.