Activity Overview
Each state in our country has its own unique fun facts that kids will love to discover. For this activity, students will create a 3 cell storyboard that depicts some interesting facts they have learned about Iowa. Teachers can encourage students to research their own fun facts, or provide a list of ones for students to look at specifically.
Here are some examples students could choose from:
- Iowa is known for its corn.
- The house that inspired the painting, “American Gothic”, is located in Elden, Iowa. It is a very popular spot for pictures.
- There are more hogs than people in Iowa!
- Iowa is 92% farmland.
- Snake Alley, in Burlington, Iowa, was named the world’s most crooked street by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
- Fred Maytag invented the first washing machine in Newton, Iowa in 1907.
- Iowa is actually a Sioux word, meaning sleepy people. The Dakota Sioux were one of several Tribes that could be found throughout Iowa.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard that describes and illustrates 3 interesting facts about Iowa.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write a fun fact in each heading.
- In the description box, write a short summary of each heading.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Three fun facts about the state are included. The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | Two fun facts about the state are included. The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | One or no fun facts are included. The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
Each state in our country has its own unique fun facts that kids will love to discover. For this activity, students will create a 3 cell storyboard that depicts some interesting facts they have learned about Iowa. Teachers can encourage students to research their own fun facts, or provide a list of ones for students to look at specifically.
Here are some examples students could choose from:
- Iowa is known for its corn.
- The house that inspired the painting, “American Gothic”, is located in Elden, Iowa. It is a very popular spot for pictures.
- There are more hogs than people in Iowa!
- Iowa is 92% farmland.
- Snake Alley, in Burlington, Iowa, was named the world’s most crooked street by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
- Fred Maytag invented the first washing machine in Newton, Iowa in 1907.
- Iowa is actually a Sioux word, meaning sleepy people. The Dakota Sioux were one of several Tribes that could be found throughout Iowa.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard that describes and illustrates 3 interesting facts about Iowa.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write a fun fact in each heading.
- In the description box, write a short summary of each heading.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Three fun facts about the state are included. The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | Two fun facts about the state are included. The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | One or no fun facts are included. The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Fun Facts about Iowa
Plan a fun Iowa facts scavenger hunt for your classroom
Boost engagement by organizing a scavenger hunt where students search for Iowa facts hidden around the classroom. This interactive activity helps students absorb information while staying active and collaborating with peers.
Gather and prepare Iowa facts to hide
Select 8–12 interesting Iowa facts and write each one on a slip of paper. Laminate or decorate them for extra durability and visual appeal. Include fun visuals if possible to spark curiosity.
Hide the fact slips in creative classroom spots
Place the Iowa fact slips in unexpected places—under desks, inside books, or on the bulletin board. Vary the difficulty to make the hunt exciting for all students.
Explain the scavenger hunt rules to students
Tell students they will search for the fact slips and record each Iowa fact they find on their worksheet. Encourage teamwork and respectful searching to keep the activity fun and fair.
Review and discuss the found facts together
Gather students after the hunt and invite them to share facts they discovered. Discuss the most surprising or favorite facts as a class and connect them to the storyboard project for deeper understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fun Facts about Iowa
What are some fun facts about Iowa for students?
Iowa is full of interesting facts for kids, such as being known for its corn, having more hogs than people, and being home to Snake Alley—the world’s most crooked street. The famous house from the painting “American Gothic” is in Elden, and the first washing machine was invented in Newton. Iowa is also a Sioux word meaning "sleepy people."
How can I create a storyboard about Iowa facts for my class?
To make a storyboard, have students pick three fun facts about Iowa. For each, write a heading, a short summary, and draw an illustration that shows the fact. This helps students summarize information and be creative at the same time.
What is a simple Iowa lesson idea for elementary students?
A quick lesson is to ask students to research or pick three Iowa fun facts and create a three-panel storyboard. They write a fact in each panel, add a short description, and draw a related picture. This activity builds research and storytelling skills.
Why is Iowa known for its corn and hogs?
Iowa has rich soil and over 92% farmland, making it perfect for growing corn and raising livestock. That’s why it produces more corn than almost any other state and has more hogs than people!
What does the name Iowa mean and where does it come from?
The name Iowa comes from the Sioux word meaning "sleepy people." The Dakota Sioux and other Native American tribes once lived throughout the region.
More Storyboard That Activities
Iowa State Guide
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