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 Maryland. Here are some examples of fun facts:
- State Crustacean: Maryland's official state crustacean is the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Known for its sweet and flavorful meat, the blue crab is not just a culinary delight but also an iconic symbol of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay region.
- National Anthem Inspiration: Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," was from Maryland. He was inspired to write the poem that became the lyrics to the national anthem after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 in Baltimore Harbor.
- First Dental School: The world's first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840. It marked a significant milestone in the field of dentistry and remains a prestigious institution today.
- State Sport: Maryland's official state sport is jousting. Designated in 1962, jousting is a traditional equestrian sport where riders compete to spear small rings with a lance. Maryland hosts numerous jousting tournaments and considers it an integral part of its cultural heritage.
- U.S. Naval Academy: Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Naval Academy is one of the country's premier institutions for training officers for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It was established in 1845 and has a distinguished history of producing leaders in military and civilian sectors.
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 Maryland.
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.
- Save often!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | Examples are accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are somewhat accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are inaccurate, incomplete, disorganized, and difficult to understand. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict the written description with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc. | Illustrations depict the written description but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not make sense with the written description. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
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 Maryland. Here are some examples of fun facts:
- State Crustacean: Maryland's official state crustacean is the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Known for its sweet and flavorful meat, the blue crab is not just a culinary delight but also an iconic symbol of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay region.
- National Anthem Inspiration: Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," was from Maryland. He was inspired to write the poem that became the lyrics to the national anthem after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 in Baltimore Harbor.
- First Dental School: The world's first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840. It marked a significant milestone in the field of dentistry and remains a prestigious institution today.
- State Sport: Maryland's official state sport is jousting. Designated in 1962, jousting is a traditional equestrian sport where riders compete to spear small rings with a lance. Maryland hosts numerous jousting tournaments and considers it an integral part of its cultural heritage.
- U.S. Naval Academy: Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Naval Academy is one of the country's premier institutions for training officers for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It was established in 1845 and has a distinguished history of producing leaders in military and civilian sectors.
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 Maryland.
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.
- Save often!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | Examples are accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are somewhat accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are inaccurate, incomplete, disorganized, and difficult to understand. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict the written description with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc. | Illustrations depict the written description but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not make sense with the written description. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Maryland Fun Facts
Plan a Maryland-themed classroom display
Gather materials like colored paper, images, and markers to make the display engaging. Visual aids will help students connect with Maryland's fun facts.
Assign students specific Maryland facts
Divide the fun facts among students or pairs so each focuses on a unique topic. This ensures variety and encourages ownership of learning.
Guide students to create visual elements
Encourage students to draw or print images representing their fact, such as the blue crab or jousting. Hands-on art helps facts stick!
Arrange and label the display together
Work as a class to organize the visuals on a bulletin board. Label each section with the fun fact and a short description for clarity.
Invite students to share their facts
Have each student or group present their section to the class. Sharing aloud builds confidence and reinforces knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maryland Fun Facts
What are some fun facts about Maryland for elementary students?
Maryland is full of interesting facts for kids, such as being home to the blue crab, having jousting as its official state sport, and inspiring the U.S. national anthem. It also boasts the world's first dental school and the famous U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
How can I create a storyboard about Maryland facts for my class?
To make a Maryland fun facts storyboard, choose three interesting facts, write each as a heading, add a short summary for each, and draw an illustration that matches. This helps students learn and express what they've discovered creatively.
What is Maryland's state crustacean and why is it important?
Maryland's state crustacean is the blue crab, known for its sweet meat and as a symbol of the Chesapeake Bay. It's important for the state's economy, culture, and is a favorite local food.
Why is Maryland significant in U.S. history?
Maryland played a key role in U.S. history by inspiring "The Star-Spangled Banner," hosting the first dental school, and being home to the U.S. Naval Academy, which trains military leaders.
What are easy project ideas to teach kids about Maryland?
Simple project ideas include creating a storyboard of Maryland facts, making posters about state symbols like the blue crab, or researching Maryland's historical sites and sharing findings with the class.
More Storyboard That Activities
Maryland State Guide
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