Activity Overview
Webs are an excellent tool to help students organize facts in a systematic and visual manner. Students will research Massachusetts and use the blank template provided to show what they have learned. They will then create a 6 cell web that includes the state motto, flower, tree, and bird, capital and other major cities, a famous citizen, date of statehood, nickname, and an interesting tourist spot for Massachusetts. This activity could be used as part of a Regions of the United States unit, or as part of an informational research unit.
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 6 cell web that includes the state motto, flower, tree, and bird, capital and other major cities, a famous citizen, date of statehood, nickname, and an interesting tourist spot for Massachusetts.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write the state name in the middle space.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading (Cities, State Motto, etc.) using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short summary of each heading in the space below the illustration.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | All five cells have thorough information about the state. The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | Three or four of the cells have information about the state. The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | Two or less cells have information about the state, or information is inaccurate. 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
Webs are an excellent tool to help students organize facts in a systematic and visual manner. Students will research Massachusetts and use the blank template provided to show what they have learned. They will then create a 6 cell web that includes the state motto, flower, tree, and bird, capital and other major cities, a famous citizen, date of statehood, nickname, and an interesting tourist spot for Massachusetts. This activity could be used as part of a Regions of the United States unit, or as part of an informational research unit.
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 6 cell web that includes the state motto, flower, tree, and bird, capital and other major cities, a famous citizen, date of statehood, nickname, and an interesting tourist spot for Massachusetts.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write the state name in the middle space.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading (Cities, State Motto, etc.) using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short summary of each heading in the space below the illustration.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | All five cells have thorough information about the state. The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | Three or four of the cells have information about the state. The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | Two or less cells have information about the state, or information is inaccurate. 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 Facts About Massachusetts
How to Scaffold State Research for Diverse Learners
Adapt your instructions to meet the needs of all students by offering sentence starters, visual aids, and vocabulary lists. This helps every learner engage with the Massachusetts facts web confidently and independently.
Model the web creation process together
Demonstrate how to fill out one cell of the web as a class, thinking aloud about where to find information and how to summarize it. Students get a clear example to follow and feel more comfortable starting their own.
Provide research resources at varying reading levels
Curate articles, books, or websites about Massachusetts that match different reading abilities. This ensures all students can access state facts and complete their webs successfully.
Encourage peer support with structured pairings
Pair students strategically so they can discuss findings and share ideas for illustrations. This fosters collaboration and helps students clarify their understanding before working independently.
Celebrate diverse approaches to the web
Showcase finished webs in a gallery walk or class discussion, highlighting creative illustrations and unique facts. This builds classroom pride and demonstrates multiple ways to succeed with the assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Facts About Massachusetts
What is a 6 cell web for teaching facts about Massachusetts?
A 6 cell web is a visual organizer that helps students categorize facts about Massachusetts, such as the state motto, flower, tree, bird, capital cities, a famous citizen, date of statehood, nickname, and a tourist spot, making research and learning more engaging.
How can I create a spider map activity for my class on Massachusetts?
To create a spider map activity on Massachusetts, provide students with a blank template, have them put the state name in the center, and fill six surrounding cells with researched facts and illustrations about key topics like symbols, cities, and history.
What information should students include in a Massachusetts state research project?
Students should include the state motto, flower, tree, bird, capital and major cities, a famous citizen, date of statehood, nickname, and an interesting tourist spot in their Massachusetts state research project.
Why are webs or graphic organizers helpful for teaching state facts?
Webs and graphic organizers help students visually sort and connect information, making it easier to understand and remember key facts about states like Massachusetts. They also support research and summarization skills.
What are some creative ways to illustrate state facts for elementary students?
Students can draw scenes, characters, and symbols representing each fact, such as the state bird or a famous landmark, and add short summaries to make learning about Massachusetts fun and memorable.
More Storyboard That Activities
Massachusetts State Guide
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
