What You Will Do
Choose a place, region, route, or geographic issue connected to our theme: Connected Places: Geography, Culture, and Change. Your project should answer the driving question with research, geographic evidence, and your own explanation.
Six-Week Timeline
| Week | Focus | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brainstorm and choose a topic. | Topic proposal and question |
| 2 | Research using maps, sources, data, or interviews. | Research plan and source list |
| 3 | Organize evidence and identify important patterns. | Claim and evidence organizer |
| 4 | Create the first version of the project. | Draft or prototype |
| 5 | Use feedback to revise and practice sharing. | Revision plan |
| 6 | Finish the project and prepare for the fair. | Final project and reflection |
Writing and Content Guidelines
- State a focused geographic question and a clear main idea.
- Use at least three trustworthy sources.
- Include a map, chart, table, model, or another piece of geographic evidence.
- Use geography vocabulary correctly and explain it in your own words.
- Use readable titles, labels, captions, and a source list.
- Credit information, images, data, and ideas that are not your own.
- Use respectful language and avoid stereotypes when describing people and places.
Final Project Expectations
- Your information is accurate and supported by evidence.
- Your project is organized so visitors can understand it.
- You are ready to give a one- to two-minute explanation and answer questions.
- You can explain how your thinking changed during the project.
How Families Can Help
- Ask open questions such as “What are you noticing?” and “What evidence supports that idea?”
- Help your student set aside short work times and keep track of deadlines.
- Listen to a practice presentation and ask one curious question.
- Share family stories about places, travel, work, food, or traditions.
- Encourage the student to do the thinking and creating independently.