I provided my students with a Geography Challenge, which I know they can all rise to, yesterday. They are to learn the names and placement of all 50 states on the U.S. Map by Thursday, June 11th. They’ll work in teams of three to coach each other to make this happen. As in Ron Clark’s Book, which gave me this inspiration, there will be two scores: 0 and 100. I told each student that I’m confident everyone in the class will get a 100. (They don’t believe it, but I do!)
They began filling in a blank map of the United States yesterday to determine how much work was ahead of them. Today, for our Poetry Friday Share at Morning Meeting, I’m providing them with Rebecca Kai Dotlich’s Poem “Washington, D.C.” so that they realize that it’s not a state, but is still part of the country. Here’s an excerpt from Dotlich’s Poem:
Washington, D.C.
On the east bank of the Potomac,
lies Washington, D.C.
the capital of our Nation
which stands for liberty.
It’s here our U.S. Presidents
are sworn into command;
where the courtly U.S. Capitol
and stately White House stand.
Click here to read the other six stanzas.
This week, Poetry Friday is hosted at “Picture Book of the Day,” Anastasia Suen’s Blog.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
Love it! I like how you are making that connection between social studies and poetry. Enjoy the rest of the school year!
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How creative!
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SOOOOO many kids came in having studied last night. Yea!
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Have you seen this site: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
Our fourth grade teachers use it for the kids to quiz themselves on the states & capitals. Works like a charm!
The poem is a great idea too. Easy to memorize and they will never forget what it teaches them.
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