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 New York. Teachers may give students a list to choose from, or encourage them to research their own!
Here are some examples of fun facts:
- New York City’s subway system is the longest in the world, with 722 miles of tracks!
- New York City was the state capital before Albany, from 1785-1790.
- The first pizzeria in America opened in New York City in 1895.
- The first American chess tournament was in New York in 1843.
- Established by Alexander Hamilton in 1803, the “New York Post” is the oldest running newspaper in the country.
- In 1901, New York was the first state to require cars to have license plates.
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 New York.
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 New York. Teachers may give students a list to choose from, or encourage them to research their own!
Here are some examples of fun facts:
- New York City’s subway system is the longest in the world, with 722 miles of tracks!
- New York City was the state capital before Albany, from 1785-1790.
- The first pizzeria in America opened in New York City in 1895.
- The first American chess tournament was in New York in 1843.
- Established by Alexander Hamilton in 1803, the “New York Post” is the oldest running newspaper in the country.
- In 1901, New York was the first state to require cars to have license plates.
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 New York.
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 New York!
Engage students with a New York fun facts scavenger hunt
Transform learning by organizing a classroom scavenger hunt where students search for New York facts hidden around the room. This activity energizes your lesson and gets everyone moving while reinforcing their research skills.
Prepare fact cards with clues about New York
Create cards with different New York fun facts and short, engaging clues. Include facts from your lesson and a few surprises to spark curiosity.
Hide fact cards in creative classroom spots
Place cards in books, under desks, or on the walls. Make sure they are challenging but accessible for every student in grades 2–8.
Form small groups and assign search roles
Divide students into teams, giving each a list of clues and a time limit. Assign roles like ‘reader,’ ‘finder,’ and ‘recorder’ to encourage teamwork.
Have groups present their discovered facts
Invite each group to share a fact they found and explain its significance to New York. This step boosts public speaking and helps everyone recall unique facts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fun Facts About New York!
What are some fun facts about New York for students?
New York has many fun facts for students, like having the world's longest subway system, being home to America's first pizzeria, and being the first state to require car license plates in 1901.
How can I teach students about New York’s history in a fun way?
Use engaging activities like creating a storyboard where students illustrate interesting New York facts. This helps them visualize history and makes learning interactive and memorable.
What is a 3 cell storyboard activity for New York facts?
A 3 cell storyboard activity asks students to draw and write about three different fun facts about New York. Each cell shows a heading, a brief description, and an illustration representing the fact.
Where can I find interesting New York facts for elementary students?
You can use curated lists from educational websites, state guides, or encourage students to research their own New York facts using books and trusted online sources tailored for kids.
Why is New York’s subway system famous?
The New York City subway is famous because it is the longest subway system in the world, with over 722 miles of track, making it a key part of city transportation and history.
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