Places in Arkansas: A Tour of Our Unique State

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1 Places in Arkansas: A Tour of Our Unique State

2 Places in Arkansas: A Tour of Our Unique State Lesson Plan by Holly A. Gillum, Anderson Elementary, Crossett, Arkansas School Year Revised School Year Utilizing 2006 Social Studies Frameworks And 2007 Library Media Frameworks The goal of this unit is identify important cultural and historical places in the state of Arkansas. Students will be introduced to six important places in Arkansas: Blanchard Springs Caverns, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Hawksbill Crag, Little Rock, Old Mill, and Victorian Village. As a culminating activity, students will create a report on a place in Arkansas from pre-selected topics. Grades: 5 th 8 th (Lesson is also designed for 4 th graders during the second semester. Statement of Objectives: 1. Identify important cultural and historical places in the state of Arkansas 2. Create a report on a place in Arkansas from pre-selected topics. 3. Use resources and/or technology tools as directed by teacher in collaboration with library media specialist. Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks: Arkansas History Student Learning Expectations: G Research elements of culture in a community, state, or nation (e.g., food, clothing, housing, language, sports/ recreation, customs, traditions, art, music, religion). G Discuss the reasons for human settlement patterns (e.g., jobs, climate, family). G Describe the location of major cities in Arkansas and the United State and the available resources and transportation to those areas. H Identify historical sites of Arkansas (e.g., Old Washington, Arkansas Post). H Examine historical settlements in Arkansas: Arkansas Post, Old Washington, Fort Smith. H Identify Arkansas Post as the first European settlement in Arkansas and explain its geographic significance. Arkansas Library Media Student Learning Expectations: A ; A ; A ; A Use resources and /or technology tools for a predetermined task. Arkansas Fine Arts Student Learning Expectations: A.2.1 Use creative problem solving, critical thinking skills, and various resources to select subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning.

3 A.2.2 Create art works based upon previous exploration/discoveries that demonstrate the relationships between art and culture. Related Encyclopedia of Arkansas Entries: Arkansas Air Museum; Blanchard Springs Caverns; Crater of Diamonds State Park; Little Rock (Pulaski County); Old Mill; Buffalo National River; Bathhouse Row; Arkansas Post Museum; Hemmingway Pfeiffer Museum; Arkansas State Capitol; USS Razorback; Ozark Folk Center State Park; Thorncrown Chapel; Desegregation of Central High School; Wal- Mart Introduction: The teacher will select the appropriate student learning expectations for his or her students, review the key terms, obtain a copy of N Is for Natural State or other resources, prepare copies of maps and/or workshops (provided), make transparencies as needed (provided) and use the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture to obtain additional resources. Collaboration with the school library media specialist for assistance in utilization of this technology resource tool for Arkansas History is suggested. See above links or visit the encyclopedia at Key Terms: capital capitol cavern Crag culture diamond landmark map mill mine stalactite stalagmite Victorian village Key Terms Defined: capital the location of a government capital city. capitol the building in which a state legislature meets. cavern a cave of large or often unknown size. crag a steep rugged rock or cliff. culture - the characteristic features of everyday life shared by people in a particular place or time. diamond - a very hard stone of crystallized carbon that is used as a precious gem. landmark - a usually large object on land that is easy to see and can help a person find the way to a place near it. map - a drawing or picture showing selected features of an area. mill - a building with machinery for grinding grain into flour. mine - a pit or tunnel from which minerals (as coal, gold, or diamonds) are taken. stalactite - a deposit of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cavern. stalagmite - a deposit of calcium carbonate like an inverted stalactite formed on the floor of a cave by the drip of water. Victorian - of, relating to, or typical of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or of the literature, art, and tastes of her time. village a place somewhat smaller than a town. Materials Needed: Large Arkansas Map (with cities, parks & landmarks noted) Copies of Arkansas Map (provided)

4 Landmark Pictures (transparency pattern provided) Places in Arkansas Topic Selection Sheet (provided) Copy of N is for Natural State book. Encyclopedias Almanacs Information from Arkansas Department of Tourism (if desired) Internet access for students, if possible; Collaborate with library media specialist, as needed. Student Journals (notebook paper in folders, or any bound journal the teacher wishes to provide) Poster board Construction Paper Marking Utensils markers, pens, colored pencils, etc. Scissors Glue Suggested Timeline: Four to five class periods. By teaching each topic as a brief introduction, the teacher gives the students an opportunity to have their interests piqued while allowing some information to be discovered for their personal projects. Procedure: Day One: Introduction to the Learning: ~ Review any previous lessons/knowledge on the State of Arkansas. ~ Ask students if they can identify anything unique about the state. ~ Ask students if they can see how the state s geography lends itself to unique features. ~ Define culture, landmark, and map. ~ Introduce students to the idea that each area of the state has a different culture, created by geographical features, and often identified by landmarks. Suggested Teaching Strategies: ~ Explore the large map of Arkansas. Point out Blanchard Caverns. ~Ask student to identify any geographical evidence on the map that may suggest something special in the area. ~Show transparency of the caverns and give brief information about them. - Define cavern, stalagmites, and stalactites - The caverns are located in Stone National Forest - This is the only cave administered by the U.S. Forestry Service. - Caves, although most have no or little natural sunlight, are inhabited. ~ Explore the large map of Arkansas. Point out Crater of Diamonds State Park. ~ Ask students to explain what they believe a diamond mine to be. ~ Show transparency of the park and give brief information about it. - Define diamonds & mine. - Diamonds found here are kept by the finder! - The most common color of diamonds found here are brown, yellow & white.

5 Closure to Learning: ~ Have students write in their journal regarding their ideas and opinions about how the land and location impacts tourism in any given area. They should complete the prompt: The landforms and location of an area will impact tourism either positively or negatively because Day Two Introduction to the Learning: ~ Review previous day s discussion. ~ Ask students to list famous natural and man-made landmarks around the country. ~ Ask students to list famous natural and man-made landmarks in the state. Suggested Teaching Strategies ~ Explore large map of Arkansas. Point out location of Hawksbill Crag. ~ Show transparency of the Crag and give brief information about it. - Define crag - One of the most photographed places in Arkansas - Approximately a 1.5 mile hike to get to it. ~ Explore large map of Arkansas. Point out location of Old Mill. ~ Show transparency of the Mill and give brief information about it. - Define mill - Picture of it was in the opening scene of Gone With The Wind. - This is a sculpture, reproducing a real mill. It never actually worked! Closure to Learning: ~ Have students add to journal on the topic of landmarks. They should complete the prompt: I believe landmarks, both natural and man-made, are important to a state because Day Three Introduction to the Learning: ~ Review previous day s discussion. ~ Ask students how cities or towns can be considered landmarks. ~ Ask students to list important cities around the state. Suggested Teaching Strategies: ~ Explore large map of Arkansas. Point out location of Little Rock. ~ Show transparency and give brief information about it. - Define capital & capitol and discuss differences. - Little Rock got its name from the famed La Salle Expedition. - Little Rock officially became a city in ~ Explore large map of Arkansas. Point out location of Victorian Village. ~ Show transparency and give brief information about it. - Define Victorian & Village - The commercial section of town that is so picturesque is on a 5-mile loop. - Some businesses have street entrances on more than one floor.

6 Closure to Learning: ~ Have students add to the journal on the topic of importance of unique towns and tourism and industry. Student should complete the prompt: Unique towns bring more tourists because Day Four Introduction to the Learning: ~ Introduce individual research projects. ~ Students are to create a poster showing: - the location on a map - an artistic representation of their location/feature - a one page report giving pertinent details about their location/feature - at least one photograph of their location/feature. Text and media entries may be obtained from the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. ~ Select topics copy the topic sheet. Cut one sheet into squares, folding them and placing them in a basket or bowl. Have student select topics one at a time, and record student s name on other topic sheet. * Projects can be completed in class in the next two days, or taken home, if desired. Assessment: Student journals can be graded with the school writing rubric for a recorded grade. Posters can be graded with the rubric provided. Presentation of the poster (included in the rubric) can also be given a grade, combined or separate. Suggested Extended Activities: ~ Have students contact their selected location to obtain additional information. Most cities have a tourism department in the Chamber of Commerce which would be able to provide this information. ~ Have students select (or assign) a town in the state of Arkansas with an unusual name and research to discover the origin of that name and any interesting history or trivia about the town. This could even be done as a small group project on towns in the local county, or even just the hometown. ~ Have students use a computer lab to complete teacher directed research activities. The Taylor Foundation (Little Rock, Arkansas) makes Butler Center lesson plans possible. Contact the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Central Arkansas Library System, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR, and

7 My Location/Feature My location is:. It is near:. It is approximately miles from our town.

8 Blanchard Springs Caverns Crater of Diamonds Park Old Mill Hawksbill Crag Little Rock Victorian Village Buffalo River Hot Springs Baths Central High School in Little Rock Old Washington Historic State Park Clinton Presidential Center & Park Garvan Woodland Gardens Magic Springs/Crystal Falls Arkansas Post Museum Hemmingway Pfeiffer Museum & Educational Center Arkansas State Capitol USS Razorback Old State House Museum Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Fort Smith National Historic Site Arkansas Air Museum Ozark Folk Center State Park Pea Ridge National Military Park Thorncrown Chapel Wal-Mart Visitor s Center

15 Rubric for Student Project Board 4 Location/Feature is clearly identified. Location/Feature is identified on a map. One page report is included (graded per rubric) An artistic representation of the location/feature is identified. At least one photograph (postcard, photo, internet picture) of feature/location. Student presented project to the class. 3 Location/Feature is clearly identified. Location/Feature is on map, although not exact. Report doesn t meet length requirements. An artistic representation of the location/feature is identified. At least one photograph (postcard, photo, internet picture) of feature/location. Student presented project to the class. 2 Location/Feature is not clearly identified. Location/Feature is on map, although not exact. Report doesn t meet length requirements. An artistic representation of the location/feature is not included. At least one photograph (postcard, photo, internet picture) of feature/location. Student presented project to class, although had to be coerced. 1 Location/Feature is not clearly identified. Location/Feature is not on the map. Report doesn t meet length requirements or is not included at all. An artistic representation of the location/feature is not included. No photographs are included of feature/location. Student did not present project to class.

16 Places in Arkansas Sources Baker, T. & Browning, J. (1991). An Arkansas history for young people. Fayetteville, AR: The University of Arkansas Press. This book is somewhat of an Arkansas history textbook. It has detailed information on a variety of subjects and would be extremely useful for an in-depth study or research projects. Di Piazza, D, (2002). Arkansas. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications Company. Book gives information on Arkansas history, as well as tourist information for places one must see. Olien, R. (2003). Arkansas. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. Book gives information on the land & climate of Arkansas, as well as additional trivia and information. Shoulders, M. (2003). N is for natural state: An Arkansas alphabet. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press. Book gives information about several of the landmarks and unique locations in Arkansas. It should be read daily in conjunction with the unit. Dictionary for kids. Blanchard Springs Caverns Government site with tour information. Diamonds Site offers trivia information about diamonds. Site offers information on diamond mines in AR Factual AR information on diamonds & other stones. Official park web page. Hawksbill Crag Informational site. Tourist picture and information.

17 Additional information and pictures. Little Rock City Homepage Little Rock Airport Little Rock Zoo Little Rock Air Force Base Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Old Mill Personal information with pictures Picture, basic information. Tourist type information. Photos & basic information. Victorian Village Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Information site Event Gallery with pictures Pictures of village Arkansas City Names A history of Colonial names.

18 French origins of Arkansas names. A history of Toad Suck. Information on Arkansas places & names.

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