In this lesson students will learn about the state in which they live by using child-friendly Web sites to collect facts and pictures about Alabama.

copies of brochure rubric for each student (see attached)

Computer(s) with Internet access, desktop publishing software such as Microsoft Publisher or Print Shop or word processing software such as Word, printer

Teacher or media specialist should have previously taught a lesson on Fair Use guidelines for copyrighted materials. Students should have completed a unit of study on Alabama. Students should have a knowledge of or be taught basic word processing skills and how to download and save images from the Internet. Teacher should bookmark the web sites listed in Steps 4, 5, and 6.

1.)Explain that the project will be to create a brochure about Alabama which can either be informative or persuasive (encouraging people to visit Alabama) using facts found through research. Stidents will use either desktop publishing or word processing software. Review the rubric which will be used with the students to make sure expectations are clear.

2.)Open Publisher or Print Shop and choose brochure. (Brochures can also be created in word processing software by setting the page to three columns and plotting where the front, back, and inside of the brochure will appear on the page when folded. In this case, provide the students a diagram of what to place in each column, front and back.) Students can select a template which best fits their planned brochure. The brochure window should then be minimized in order to access a Web browser.

3.)Have students create a folder on the desktop to save the pictures which they select. Remind them to document web sites that they use so they can be included on the bibliography page. Provide a digital worksheet for them to use to cut and paste source information into or show them how to use NoteStar, a free online utility for documenting Internet resources.
(NoteStar)
Using the NoteCards tool, students can take notes from online sources as they browse the Internet. Source information such as title and URL is automatically captured in order to assist in work citation. A few brief steps are needed to set it up.

4.)Use the Internet to access the 50 States web site.
(50 States)
Click on Alabama. Students can then find information and pictures pertaining to the specific type of brochure they are planning.

5.)Direct students to the Yahooligans search engine.
(Yahooligans)
In the Yahooligans directory on the home page, click on "Around the World/U. S. states," and then click on "Alabama."

6.)Another good child-friendly Internet resource is the Alabama Virtual Library.
(Alabama Virtual Library)
Have students click the Elementary link, then Searchasaurus, then General Encyclopedia, then type in the search term "Alabama," check "Please only find full text articles," and click Search. Within the top 10 results is an extensive article on Alabama.

7.)After students have the needed information and graphics saved, instuct them to close the web browser and maximize the brochure window.

8.)Students fill in the brochure template with the saved pictures and collected information about Alabama.

9.)Remind students that they must include a bibliography documenting the original sources of their information. Show students how to spell check their work. Have student print a final copy of the brochure after proofreading.

A rubric (see attached) will be used to evaluate the brochure.

An extension of this lesson could be a slideshow presentation based on Alabama (rubric and sample slideshow attached).

Students needing extra help can be paired with another student or could be asked to draw or write information about the state instead of making a brochure on the computer.