Where in the world are the
Westville sixth graders?
a country research project pathfinder
The purpose of this pathfinder is to assist the sixth grade students at WestvilleSchool with their “Country Research Project”.
This pathfinder will help you find information in the SchoolLibraryMediaCenter and on the Internet about the country you are going to research. You will need to select and evaluate the relevance of the provided resources – that best meet your research needs. This pathfinder is accessible to you in the SchoolLibraryMediaCenter, the Elementary Computer Lab, and the Westville Public Library. You will need to locate factual information about the country you are researching, obtain a printable map (political and physical), create the country’s flag, make statistical comparisons between the USA and your country, and take a “virtual trip/visit” to your country.
The SixthGradeIndianaState Academic Standards that will be met by this research project are:
Social Studies – Standard 3: Geography
Students will identify the characteristics of climate regions in Europe and the Americas and describe major physical features, countries, and cities of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
6.3.3 – Identify the names and locations of countries and major cities in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
6.3.4 – Describe major physical characteristics of regions in Europe and the Americas.
6.3.5 – Describe major cultural characteristics of regions in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
Social Studies – Standard 5: Individuals, Society, and Culture
Students will examine the role of individuals and groups in societies of Europe and the Americas, identify connections among cultures, and trace the influence of cultures on the past or present societies. They will also analyze patterns of change, including the impact of scientific and technological innovations, and examine the role of artistic expression in selected cultures of Europe and the Americas.
6.5.3 – Explain that cultures change in three ways: through cultural diffusion, invention, and innovation.
6.5.5 – Identify examples of inventions and technological innovations that have brought about cultural change in Europe and the Americas, and examine their impact.
6.5.7 – Examine art, music, literature, and architecture in Europe and the Americas; explain their relationship to the societies that created them, and give examples of how artistic ideas have spread from one culture to another.
6.5.8 – Use a variety of resources including newspapers, magazines, web sites, and databases, to collect and analyze data on cultural factors in countries in Europe and the Americas. Use charts, graphs, and other data to compare and hypothesize the relation of these factors to a nation’s development.
Lang. Arts – Standard 2: READING: Reading Comprehension
Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They describe and connect the essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of the text by using their knowledge of text structure, organization, and purpose. At Grade 6, students read a variety of…expository (informational and technical) texts, including…magazines, newspapers, reference materials, and online information.
6.2.1 – Identify the structural features of popular media (newspapers, magazines, online information) and use the features to obtain information.
6.2.2 – Analyze text that uses a compare-and-contrast organizational pattern.
6.2.3 – Connect and clarify main ideas by identifying their relationships to multiple sources and related topics.
6.2.4 – Clarify an understanding of texts by creating outlines, notes, diagrams, summaries, or reports.
Lang. Arts – Standard 4: WRITING: Writing Process
Students discuss and keep a list of writing ideas and use graphic organizers to plan writing.
6.4.5 –Use note-taking skills.
6.4.6 – Use organizational features of electronic text (on computers), such as…databases, keyword searches,…to locate information.
6.4.7 – Use a computer to compose documents with appropriate formatting by using word-processing skills and principles of design, including margins, tabs, spacing, columns, and page orientation.
Lang. Arts – Standard 5: WRITING: Writing Applications
At Grade 6, students write…expository (informational)…texts of at least 500 to 700 words. Student writing demonstrates a command of Standard English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Standard 4. Writing demonstrates awareness of the audience and purpose of writing.
6.5.3 – Write research reports that: pose relevant questions that can be answered in the report; support the main idea or ideas with facts, details, examples, and explanations from multiple authoritative sources, such as speakers, newspapers, magazines, reference books, and online information searches; include a bibliography.
The Information Literacy Standards that will be met by this research project are:
ILS 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
ILS 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and eompetently.
ILS 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
ILS 4: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.
ILS 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking.
ILS 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information in a democratic society.
ILS 8: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.
ILS 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.
KEYWORDS internet resources library resources electronic resources community resources citing sources
KEYWORDS
Country name, Geography, Government, Economy, Language, History, Holidays, Food, Clothing, Sports, Flag
INTERNETRESOURCES
**********“THE JOURNEY BEGINS”**********
Global Trek from Scholastic –
At this site, you will “book a flight” to the country you are researching. You will be asked to keep a journal during your “visit”. You will find links to places/sites in your country, have the opportunity to “meet its people”, and learn facts from a Q & A page. Your teacher(s) will be able to help you “communicate with classrooms in 182 countries around the world; powered by ePals”. Enjoy your flight and visit; learn as much as you can while you’re there, and remember to write in your journal.
Enchanted Learning.com: Geography –
This site will provide you with outline maps, map activities, and other geography information. By clicking on the “navigation bar”, you can select: The Continents, The Oceans, Geography Crafts, Outline Map Printouts, Geography Label Me! Printouts, Map Reading Activities, Other Geography Topics, Flogs of the World, Geographic Glossary. You can select a continent and country to find such choices as: Outline Maps, Inventors & Inventions, Artists (eg: choose famous paintings to print and color). You can also select “Languages” and then select your country to find: Picture Dictionary, Information, Quizzes, Printouts to Color, etc. – that will help you begin to learn the language of your country.
Cultural Connections –
“Cultural Connections is an interactive, educational program that was designed by teachers to be a resource for learning about countries and culture.”
Select the country you are researching by clicking on its flag or its place on the map. This site will provide you with: information, landmarks, culture, food, activities (eg: crossword puzzles), photos and descriptions, maps, current weather, celebrations, recipes, and links. You can also use this site to compare two countries (eg: USA and the country you’re researching). Your teacher can print out a “Passport” (cover and pages) for you to use during your research study.
**********“GATHERING FACTS”**********
The World Factbook –
“Select a Country” to find information about your country’s flag, political map, background information, geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, transnational issues, and much more.
United Nations – CyberSchoolBus – Infonation
INFONATION COMPARISONS:
This site allows you to view and compare statistical data for all UN member states. Provides you with such information as: population, population density, largest urban agglom., surface area, etc. You can select up to 5 countries for comparison (eg: USA and the country you’re researching).
COUNTRY AT A GLANCE:
“Select a Country” to find information about your country’s political map, overview, today’s news (links to newspapers’ sites), economy statistics, environment statistics, health statistics, technology statistics.
KATHY SCHROCK’S GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS: REGIONS OF THE WORLD & WORLD LANGUAGES –
This site will provide you with direct links to: Altapedia Online: Countries A to Z– “Altapedia is a site containing key information on every country of the world.”NOTE: If you have trouble accessing “Altapedia”, do a search in “Google” and use the URL it finds. CIA World Factbook ( “a source containing info. on all of the countries of the world”;Constitution Finder ( “links to the constitutions of many countries of the world”; Embassy World( “directory and search engine of the world’s embassies and consulates”; Infonation ( “a database that allows you to compare statistical data for the Member States of the United Nations”; License Plates of the World ( “a great site to use for support of those ‘country’ reports”; National Anthems of the World ( “midi files and the lyrics to the anthems of many countries”; Nations (Countries) of the World ( “a web site which profiles nations and provinces of the world”; Rulers of the World ( “current list of heads of governments of world countries”; Times Around the World( “a link to all world countries and a pointer to the local time in the region”; World Constitutions ( “a Web site of constitutions for countries around the world”; World Flag Database ( “information about flags around the world”. This site also provides direct links to political and physical maps.
COUNTRIES AND FLAGS – from the MultnomahCounty Library
This site will provide you with “Megasites” – which include some of the sites listed above; the “Megasites” provide facts and links for the continent and every country in that continent (eg: virtual trips, cooking, embassies, etc.). You will find: “Africa Megasites”, “Australia and the Pacific Central Megasites”, “Central America and Caribbean Megasites”, “Europe Megasites”, “Middle East Megasites”, “North and South Pole Megasites”, “North America Megasites”, and “South America Megasites”.
AROUND THE WORLD – KidsHub.org –
“KidsHub is a free, fun, interactive learning center for elementary and middle school students.”
You will find links to 10 great sites: including games, puzzles, activities, and subject guides. Countries and Maps ( world map and continents continent map and countries country map and info./flag; Current Events ( Research Help ( World Facts ( CIA World Factbook; Daily News Quiz; French Numbers ( concentration game; German Food
( matching game; Italian Animals
( matching game; Spanish Quiz ( concentration game; World Flags Quiz ( matching game.
ANEKI –
This site will provide you with “World Rankings” and “Continent Rankings”. You will find countries ranked by the: richest, most populous, largest, cleanest, most expensive, most polluted, mobile phone users, poverty, smallest/largest geographical area, newest, number of computers, prisoners, life expectancy, unemployment, most visited, most universities, highest national debt, etc. You can also find information about the country you are researching, as well as its flag and maps.
**********“MAPS AND GEOGRAPHY”**********
WORLD ATLAS.COM – and
You will find a variety of maps, political and physical, for the continents and countries of the world. Outline maps are available to print for use with your research project. This site also provides the following information about each country: description, economy, facts & figures, famous countrymen, flag & symbols, government information, land statistics & landforms, maps, links, time, weather, and traveler information. Other features that are available for your use: currency converter, current time, outline maps, free clip art, posters and prints, etc.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: MAP MACHINE
Click on “Flags & Facts”“select a continent” “select a country” - in each entry you will find: key geographic, demographic, and economic data, as well as a brief overview of the country. The “Map Categories” you can choose from are: “World Themes” (Physical, Political & Cultural, Climate & Weather), “Atlas Maps” (World, by Continent, by Ocean), and “Flags & Facts”. You will have access to printer-friendly versions of the maps to use for your research project.
**********“ENJOYING THE CULTURE”**********
CULTURE QUEST WORLD TOUR –
“Take a Trip to…” – choose a continent; each country in that continent has links to: Holidays, Games, Recipes, Folktales, and Museums.
KIDSPACE @ THE INTERNET PUBLIC LIBRARY: SAY HELLO TO THE WORLD
“If you wanted to say hello to everybody in the world, how many people would that be? And how many languages would you have to learn? You would have to learn at least 2,796 languages and say hello to 5,720,000,000 people!” (*even includes Braille and sign language)
You can click on a country to see and “hear” (requires free download of Real Audio Player) how to say hello in that language (“Hello, my name is _____”), other words and phrases, the alphabet, etc.
TALES OF WONDER –
Read Folk and Fairy Tales from around the world
FAMILY TRADITIONS –
“Are all families the same? Hardly. But some things your family does are the same as what other families do in faraway places. Find out more!”
a) Holidays and Festivals – Traditions (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year)
b) Birthdays, Graduations, Weddings
c) Birth and Death Rites
d) Folk Art and Food
HOLIDAYS ON THE NET –
Find information about: our celebrations, celebrations and holidays around the world, holiday search, links, holiday crafts, pictures, and recipes, greeting cards, etc.
SPORTS AROUND THE WORLD –
Find out what sports kids in other countries are playing.
**********“NEWS, CURRENT EVENTS, AND ISSUES”**********
ONLINE NEWSPAPERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD – NEWSLINK
UNICEF: VOICES OF YOUTH –
This site addresses world issues, provides activities, and more. You can find: news articles, daily quizzes, weekly quotes, as well as discussion groups to participate in.
UN VIRTUAL TOUR –
Take an online tour of the United Nations and its facilities.
**********“VIRTUAL COUNTRY TOURS AND TRIPS”**********
PHOTO GALLERY –
Take the opportunity to look at photographs from around the world.
YAHOOLIGANS! – AROUND THE WORLD: COUNTRIES AND CONTINENT VIDEOS
View videos from: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mount Everest, South America, and the United States. Find additional videos from: Spain, Indonesia, Caribbean Islands, Finland, Mexico, Greenland, Africa, Israel, Jordan, Poland, Panama Canal, Mongolia, and Mali.
WORLD SURFARI –
“An award-winning educational site for students and teachers.” Take a “surfari” to a new country each month (or take an archived “surfari”). “Surfari” countries include: Tonga, Greece, Peru, Sweden, Mali, Armenia, Taiwan, Gibraltar, Samoa, New Zealand, Cambodia, Belgium, Qatar, Japan, Italy, Kenya, Jamaica, Mongolia, and Greenland.
MEDIA CLIPS FROM THE GREATEST PLACES
“Intended to extend inspiration and education about geographically diverse regions and cultures.” Enjoy songs, images, video clips, sounds, activities, postcards, discussions (need “Quicktime” plugin) from: the Amazon, Greenland, Namib, Iquazu, Madagascar, Okavango, and Tibet.
LET’S GO AROUND THE WORLD –
Take 5 virtual field trips to hear stories about kids around the world. You can interact with/virtually visit classes in: the Amazon rain forest, Africa, China, the Galapagos Islands, and the Canadian Arctic. You can see artwork by students from schools around the world.
LIBRARYRESOURCES
GENERAL DEWEY NUMBERS FOR COUNTRIES: 941 – 994
COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD – Set: 900’s; Gareth Stevens Publishing, A World Almanac Education Group Co., Milwaukee, WI, 2002.
*”…this engaging series offers readers a close-up look at countries around the world. Vivid color photographs enhance up-to-date information on each country’s geography, history, system of government, lifestyle, language, art, food, and more. Each volume also details its country’s past and present relations with the United States….”
ENCHANTMENT OF THE WORLD – Series: 900’s; Children’s Press, A Division of Grolier Publishing, NY, 2000.
*”It’s geography for a new generation, an invaluable resource for facts and figures, and a fascinating, highly visual introduction to the world’s countries. Full-color photos, original maps, interactive, browser-friendly sidebars, handy ‘fast-facts’, and an authoritative ‘to find out more’ section, including Internet resources.”
REFERENCE BOOKS
*Encyclopedias are organized alphabetically, like a dictionary, to allow you to find information easily. First, find the volume for your country; then move through the volume until you find an article about your country.
WORLD BOOK – 2000 EDITION (22 Volumes): R 031 WOR; World Book, Inc., Chicago, IL, 2000.
JUNIOR WORLDMARK ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD CULTURES(9 Volumes): R 306.03 JUN; UXL –an Imprint of Gale Group, Detroit, MI, 1999.
*”Contains articles exploring the ways of life of over 290 culture groups worldwide. Arranged alphabetically by country, each provides info. about: location, language, folklore, religion, major holidays, rites of passage, relationships, living conditions, family life, clothing, food, education, cultural heritage, employment, sports, recreation, crafts/hobbies, social problems, bibliography, and Web site addresses.”
JUNIOR WORLDMARK ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE NATIONS(9 Volumes): R 903 JUN; UXL –an Imprint of Gale Group, Detroit, MI, 2002.