Checklist
MAP
SYMBOL GUIDE
1 important building
1 musician, writer, or artist
1 important natural resource
1 native plant
1 native animal
1 historical event
1 thing you think should be added
1 important building
1 musician, writer, or artist
1 important natural resource
1 native plant
1 native animal
1 historical event
1 thing you think should be added
PRESENTATION
Is 5-10 minutes
Has every person speaking
Is clearly organized
Is creative
JOURNAL
How would you describe Arkansas? Your region? Your town? Your school?
How would you describe the relative location of your town?
How would Google Earth be useful to Geographers? What can you learn from it?
Where would you like to visit in Arkansas and why?
What is Arkansas to you?
Pick a quotation to respond to. What do you think the writer is trying to say about geography?
Do you agree? Why or why not?
“I was not sorry for loving Charleston or for leaving it. Geography had made me who I was.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Invention of Wings
“Do you understand the sadness of geography?”
― Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient
“Geography is destiny.”
― Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone
Pick a town in Arkansas. What geographical factors affected why the town was built there?
If the zombie apocalypse happened, where in Arkansas would you want to live? Why?
In what ways does where you live influence your life?
Scoring rubric
Poster – 35 points
0 points
The map
contained little
to no effort in
appearance.
1 points
The map was
sloppy or
unreadable.
3 points
The map
contained
average effort
in display.
5 points
The map was
neat and
readable.
The symbols
used were not
representative
of the region.
The map did
not contain
any symbols.
Few symbols
were
representative
of the region.
Few of the
symbols were
on the map.
Some symbols
were
representative
of the region.
Some of the
symbols were
on the map.
Most symbols
were
representative
of the region.
Most of the
symbols were
on the map.
Creativity
The map
lacked
creativity.
Little creative
thought was
used.
Some creative
thought was
used.
Group Effort
At least 1
member did
not participate
1 or more
people did not
put forth much
effort.
The
contributions
were uneven,
but all people
participated.
The map
showed
creativity in
most places.
All people
participated,
though some
more than
others.
3 points
The journal
contained
most entries,
but contained
minimal effort.
5 points
The journal
contained all
entries, but
below-average
effort was
given to
completion.
Visual
presentation
Accuracy
Completion
7 points
The map
contained
symbols in a
visual pleasing
arrangement.
All symbols
were accurate
of the region.
The map
contained each
of the required
symbols.
The map
showed
creativity in its
presentation.
Each member
of the group
made a
contribution to
the project.
Journal – 10 points
Completion
0 points
The journal
was missing
several entries.
8 points
The journal
missed 1 or 2
topics, or 1 or
2 topics were
only briefly
written about.
10 points
All topics were
turned in and
thoughtfully
written about.
Symbol guide – 35 points
Grammar
0 points
Writing had
multiple
errors.
Sources
No sources
listed.
Structure
Most
paragraphs
were missing
key points.
Style
Sentences
contained
minimum
effort.
Content
The content
was off-topic
and of little
importance.
1 points
Writing
contained
several spelling
or grammar
errors.
Sources were
missing or not
formatted
correctly.
The content or
analysis were
missing from
multiple
paragraphs.
The sentences
were vague.
The analysis
and content
was weak and
incorrect.
3 points
Writing
contained
some spelling
or grammar
errors.
One or more
sources were
missing,
though the
form was
correct.
Three or four
paragraphs
were missing
components.
5 points
Writing
contained few
spelling or
grammar
errors.
All sources
were listed
with minimal
mistakes.
7 points
Spelling and
punctuation
were accurate.
One or two
paragraphs
were missing
components.
The sentences
were average
but straightforward.
Most
sentences
contained
strong word
choice and
sentence
structure.
All necessary
components
were included,
but the
analysis was
occasionally
weak.
All necessary
components
were included
in all
paragraphs.
Limited vague
words (really, a
lot, etc.),strong
verbs,
interesting
sentences
used.
The content
was accurate
and wellchosen.
The analysis
and content
was weak or
occasionally
incorrect.
Sources were
listed in
correct format.
Presentation – 20 points
Length
1 point
The
presentation
was much too
short or long.
Content
The content
was inaccurate
and
incomplete.
Participation
Multiple
members did
not
participate.
The
presentation
was muddled
and confusing.
Clarity
2 points
The
presentation
was off by
several
minutes.
The
presentation
contained little
of the
necessary
materials.
1 member did
not
participate.
The
presentation
lacked
organization at
times.
3 points
The
presentation
was a little
short or long.
4 points
The
presentation
was a little
short or long.
The
presentation
contained
some of the
necessary
materials.
1 or more
members had
a very small
role.
The
presentation
was thoughtout, but
unrehearsed.
The
presentation
contained
most of the
necessary
materials.
All members
participated,
but the effort
was uneven.
The
presentation
occasionally
lacked clarity
or
organization.
5 points
The
presentation
was the
appropriate
length.
The
presentation
contained all
necessary
material.
All members of
the group
played an
active role.
The main
points of the
presentation
were clear and
easy to follow.
Important buildings
1) Go to http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/arkansas-register/default.aspx
2) Select a county at the bottom of the screen and click search.
To write about the historical place:
Sentence 1: Where the place is, what it is called/what it is, and when it was built.
Sentence 2: Describe the architecture of the place, or give a visual description.
Sentence 3: Describe why it is important to the region, such as because of history, the architect,
etc.
Arkansas Artists
For visual artists:
1) Go to http://www.arkansasarts.org/programs/registry/default.aspx
2) Click on “advanced search”
3) Search by region. While these are not the natural geography regions of Arkansas, it will get you
close. Consult a map for more guidance.
4) Select an artist that you enjoy, and that you feel reflects the region of Arkansas.
To write about Arkansas artist:
Sentence 1: Who the artist is, what is their medium, and where are they from.
Sentence 2: Describe one of their artworks
Sentence 3: Describe why they are important to the region OR why you think their art reflects
Arkansas
Natural resources
Sentence 1: Say what the natural resource is and where it is found.
Sentence 2: Why is this natural resource found in the region?
Sentence 3: How has this natural resource affected the region?
(over)
Native Arkansas animals and plants
1) Go to http://www.naturalheritage.com/research-data/rarespecies-search.aspx
2) Search by a county in your region
Or…
1) Go outside and observe! The preceding database is for rare animals and plants, so there
are plenty more to choose from.
To write about Arkansas animals and plants:
Sentence 1: What the animal/plant is, and a brief categorization of the species.
Sentence 2: Describe what the plant/animal looks like.
Sentence 3: Describe where they are located and how it impacts the environment.
Historical events
Check out http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/ where you can search by county.
Sentence 1: What the historical event was, when it took place, and where it took place.
Sentence 2: How did the geography of the region impact the event?
Sentence 3: What was a lasting effect from the
Something you think is important
3-4 sentence of what it is you’re adding and why it’s important to add to the map.
Group Work Survey
Your name: ___________________________________________
On a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the best, rank your team members:
(list group member
names, including
yourself)
Effort on Effort on
presentat symbol
ion
guide
How could your group improve next time?
How did you fit into your group?
Other comments:
Effort on
map
Help with Team
research player