Sixth Grade Country Report
Name: __________________________ Class:________
Due Date: May 12, 2014
It is the end of the year and we have learned about so many
interesting places! It is hard to believe our time is coming to
an end.
We will end the year with a major project that will be two
test grades! A lot of the work will be completed at school,
but some may need to work more at home. This project will
require a research paper, a visual, and a presentation. The
research paper will be one grade and the visual with
presentation will be the second grade.
The main categories you will cover in this report are:
Geography, Government, History, Economy, and People.
Writing strategies and research strategies will be taught in
the classroom to help prepare you to write your research
paper. Attached you will find the requirements of each
section of the research paper, the point values, and the due
date.
Sixth Grade Country Report-Country Request Form
Name:_______________________________ Class:___________________
Please choose 3 countries that you would like to research. Please put your top
choice as #1, second as #2, and last as #3. I really would like you all to have your
#1 pick, but I also want you to pick countries that interest you! Look at ones we
have not talked about this year if you are curious or adventurous (PS The
highlighted countries are ones we have talked about.).
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Ukraine, and United Kingdom (Great Britain/England),
Canada: Canada, eh
Latin America: Anguilla, Antiqua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,
Bolivia, Brazil, Bristish Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Dominica, Domincian Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala,
Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and
Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Gernaldines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,
Uruguay, Venezuela,
Australia: Australia, New Zealand
1st choice:___________________
2nd choice: __________________
3rd choice: ___________________
Country assigned: ____________________________
Part I: Writing Component
You will be completing a MINIMUM of SEVEN paragraphs on your country. Here is an
outline of what I will be looking for. Please use this as a guide. I will be grading
mainly on CONTENT. You are welcome to write more than seven paragraphs. Each
paragraph needs to have at least 5-8 sentences (can be more), except for the intro and
conclusion. FOLLOW THE OUTLINE as far as each paragraph. What is under is a
GUIDE of ideas for you to use.
 Paragraph One: Introduction
 In 3-5 sentences, tell me what country you have chosen and why. Don’t
forget to have a strong hook. Make me want to visit your country in
three sentences. Be funny, state a fact, tell me what I will find out in your
paper, etc.
 Paragraph Two: Geography
 Tell me your country’s location.
 Continent, Hemisphere, time zone, etc
 Physical Features
 Tropical, mountains, deserts, waterfalls, etc
 Climate
 Tropical, mild, rainfall, weather, etc
 Animal Life
 Anything cool?
 Paragraph Three: History
 First Inhabitants
 Who established them?
 Famous Leaders?
 Major wars or revolutions?
 Paragraph Four: Government
 Country’s official name
 Type of government and a brief description of that government
 EX: parliamentary democracy. What is the definition of this?
 Current government leader
 Current Events?
 Paragraph Five: Economy
 What type of economy do they have?
 Major industries
 Trading partner?
 Currency
 Natural resources
 Paragraph Six: People ( Can easily make this two paragraphs and could receive
extra credit for the extra paragraph)
 Population
 Language
 Religion
 Special celebrations?
 Education
 Typical foods
 Any traditional clothing?
 Holidays and customs?
 Sports
 Art
 Current Events?
 Paragraph Seven: Conclusion
 Wrap it up. Make me want to find out more about this country. Give me
a really strong, interesting fact you found.
 Works Cited
 Make sure you give me where you found the information. If you used a
textbook, what is the full name of the textbook? If you used the internet,
what was the address you used? Copy and Paste is a great friend.
Works Cited Notes:
A bibliography/works cited is a list of the sources you used to get information
for your report. It is included at the end of your report, on the last page (or last
few pages).
You will find it easier to prepare your Works Cited page if you keep track of each
book, encyclopedia, website, or article you use as you are reading and taking
notes. The easiest way to do this is to follow along the note sheets that I have
given you.
When assembling a final works cited, list your sources (texts, articles, interviews,
and so forth) in ALPHABETICAL order by authors’ last names. Sources that do
not have authors should be alphabetized by title.
Research Process
As you research each section you will find a great deal of information. Your job is
to sort out what is “good” information and what is not and then organize that
information. For example, if you are researching geography and you find some
good information on history or another category, be sure to note it an use those
facts in the right area of your report. Be familiar with your outline before you
begin researching so you have an idea of what you are looking for.
Note Taking Procedure
Here is an easy way to record the country facts on 3 X 5 index cards. Follow this
procedure:
1.
Write the category on the left hand side of the index card and the
Roman numeral next to it corresponds to on your outline. (Ex: II
Geography)
2.
On the next available line, write the subcategory and the letter it
corresponds with. (Ex. A. Location).
3.
If the subcategory is further broken down, please write it and the
Roman numeral it corresponds with. (Ex i. Continent)
4.
Then write down the information you found in your own words. Use
concise adjectives and nouns, but do NOT write in complete sentences.
5.
Finally, cite the source in the upper right hand corner.
Source: Hold World History P. R4
II.
Geography
a. Location
i. Continent
United States-found on the continent of North America
Name:________________________ Country Assigned:________________________
Research Note Sheet
Visual Project Options
Pick one of these options. I can always help and give you more
ideas. I am willing to work with other ideas as well. TALK TO
ME!
1. Create a map of your country on a poster. Must include at least three
physical features, natural resources, and three cities. (NOT an option for
5th period)
2. Collect pictures of the people from your country and use a Venn Diagram
to describe how they are similar and different from us. (Not an option for
5th period).
3. Learn to play/sing a song from your country and make a recording that
we can listen to.
4. Choose a special building from your country and build a model of it.
5. Choose a story/fairytale from your country. Learn how to tell the story.
Make some simple puppets to help you tell your story to an audience.
6. Create a Prezi/PowerPoint on the environmental issues of your country.
7. Create a timeline showing at least eight historical events for your country.
(5th period can do-however, must use an online timeline such as
TimeToast)
8. Make a triboard travel brochure for your country. (NOT an option for 5th
period)
9. Choose an artist from your country. Paint or draw a copy of one of their
works and write a short biography about the artist.
10. Country in a shoebox ( 4-6 items you will find from the country inside of
the shoebox. The outside needs to be covered in pictures)
Mrs. Healy’s FAVORITE PART-FOOD!!!!!
Extra Credit, NOT required, just encouraged!
This is just like the European food dishes that we did last fall. Except now, it will
be more than just Europe. The recipe must be from the country you are
reporting on. You cannot bring in Chinese food if you did your report on Brazil,
it just doesn’t work. If you are doing Brazil, the Abacate Batido would be perfect
(whipped Avocado Desert). The more food we have, the more fun it will be. It
doesn’t have to be expensive or even elaborate. Just remember to bring in
enough for students in the class. There are students with peanut allergies. If
you use any type of nut, please let the class know!
The last time we did the food dishes, there was almost too much to
eat in one day (for me that is). So, to make it easier, we will bring
in dishes on certain days.
May 12th- 3rd and 6th period ONLY
May 14th- 4th period ONLY
May 15- 5th period ONLY
# of students per class:
3rd- 26
4th- 28
5th- 23
6th-26
Country Project: Written component
Category
Organization
5
Information is
very organized
with wellconstructed
paragraphs.
Student
followed the
outline given.
Shows a full
understanding
of the topic.
Student goes
above the
obvious facts
and gives more.
Information
clearly relates
to the main
topic. All
supportive facts
are reported
accurately.
3
Information is
semiorganized. The
paragraphs are
not wellconstructed.
1
The information
appears to be
disorganized.
Shows a good
understanding
of the topic.
Does not seem
to understand
the topic very
well.
Information
clearly relates
to the main
topic. Almost all
supportive facts
are reported
accurately.
Mechanics
Writer makes
less than three
errors. Paper is
exceptionally
easy to read.
Writer makes
3-5 errors.
They catch the
reader's
attention and
interrupt the
flow.
Works Cited
Page
All sources
(information
and graphics)
are accurately
documented on
works cited
page.
Class time was
used effectively.
Required no
reminders to
stay on task.
Project
exceeded
expectations.
Missing some
sources and
are not
accurate
sources. (ex:
Google)
Information has
little or nothing
to do with the
main topic. NO
facts are
reported OR
most are
inaccurately
reported.
Writer makes
more than 5
errors
that catch the
reader's
attention and
greatly interrupt
the flow.
No sources
noted.
Content
Accuracy of
Facts
Work as a
Whole & Effort
Most/Some of
class times was
used
effectively,
Required some
reminders to
stay on task.
Project meets
expectations.
Class times
was not used
effectively.
Required many
reminders to
stay on task.
Project does
not meet
expectations.
Category
Content
Knowledge
Gained
5
Shows a full
understanding of the
topic.
Student can
accurately answer all
questions related to
facts in the
presentation and
processes used to
create the
presentation
Attractiveness
The presentation is
originally attractive in
terms of design,
layout, and neatness.
Preparedness
Student is completely/
pretty
Prepared and has
obviously rehearsed.
Creativity
The
project/presentation
shows excellent
creativity in design
and though process.
All graphics are
related to the topic
and make it easier to
understand.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (10095%) the time, and
mispronounces no
words.
Graphics Relevance
Speaks Clearly
Work as a Whole
& Effort
Class time was used
effectively. Required
no reminders to stay
on task. Project
exceeded
expectations.
Category
5
3
Shows a good
understanding of
the topic.
Student can
accurately answer
about 75% of
questions related
to facts in the
presentation and
processes used to
create the
presentation.
The presentation
is attractive in
terms of design,
layout and
neatness, though
it may be a bit
messy.
The student is
somewhat
prepared, but it is
clear that
rehearsal was
lacking.
The project shows
moderate to
average creativity
in design and
thought process.
Some graphics do
not relate to the
topic.
1
Does not seem to
understand the
topic very well.
Student appears
to have
insufficient
knowledge about
the facts or
processes used in
the presentation
Speaks clearly
and distinctly
most ( 94-85%) of
the time.
Mispronounces
no more than one
word
Most/Some of
class times was
used effectively,
Required some
reminders to stay
on task. Project
meets
expectations.
3
Often mumbles or
can not be
understood OR
mispronounces
more than one
word.
The poster is
distractingly
messy or very
poorly designed.
It is not attractive
Student does not
seem at all
prepared to
present.
The project shows
very poor/no
creativity in
design and
thought process.
Graphics do not
relate to the topic
Class times were
not used
effectively.
Required many
reminders to stay
on task. Project
does not meet
expectations.
1
Country Project: Visual Presentation
Sixth Grade Country Report Checklist
Country Report Item
Country Request Form
Outline
Introduction
Geography
History
Government
Economy
People
Conclusion
Works
Cited/Bibliography
Final Draft Paper
Visual Presentation
Extra Credit- Food
Completed- parent initial
Completed- Teacher
check