Present Your State

In this 5-week course, learners will have the opportunity to research a state of their choice, write a report on it, and create a project to present to their classmates. The 3 components of this course, researching, writing, and presenting will be broken down into manageable steps to be completed each week so that, as long as they keep up with each week's assignments, learners will be able to complete their written reports and oral presentations in a well-organized, low-stress way. Each part of the process will be discussed in detail during class meetings, and the teacher will provide help and feedback at every step along the way. Note that students who are not located within the United States may still enroll; they may complete projects on their home countries or the particular part of the country where they live. 

An outline of the class is as follows:
Week 1: The teacher will introduce the project and describe all necessary steps to be completed. Learners will be given a checklist to fill out as they complete each step in the process. Research strategies will be discussed: finding appropriate sources, methods for taking notes, and keeping track of materials used. 
Assignment: before week 2, learners will need to have taken research notes in at least 5 areas including: physical geography of the state, state history, state symbols, state economics, famous people from the state, attractions for tourists, or another category of their choosing. 

Week 2: Learners will discuss how to use the notes they have taken to create an outline for their written report. They will also begin thinking about any visual aids; maps, charts, photographs, etc; that they may wish to use during their oral presentations. Finally, they will learn how to correctly complete a bibliography of their sources to be included with their final reports. 
Assignment: Before week 3, learners will need to complete an outline of their written report and to have found or created any visual materials to be used in their oral presentations. 

Week 3: Students will begin the writing process by creating rough drafts of their reports. The teacher will discuss ideas for good introduction and conclusion paragraphs and will describe the proper layout of the reports, i.e. an introduction paragraph followed by at least 5 body paragraphs and ending with a conclusion. Students will also begin planning for their oral presentations. 
Assignment: Before week 4, students will need to have a rough draft of their written report finished. The teacher will provide feedback on each student's work. 

Week 4: Students will discuss editing strategies to finalize their written reports. they will have the opportunity to participate in a peer editing process if they wish. In addition, the teacher will reiterate expectations for oral presentations. 
Assignment: Before week 5, students will complete the final draft of their written report and prepare their oral presentations. 

Week 5: Students will give their oral presentations to the teacher and their classmates. They will also be expected to share constructive comments on the presentations of others. the teacher will provide written feedback to each student on both the written report and the oral presentation after the final live meeting.