This 2nd and 3rd grade inquiry expands student understandings of how a state is shaped by exploring the ways in which geographic and cultural forces work together to define a region. The compelling question—“How did my state get its shape?”—engages students in an examination of the defining characteristics of Tennessee by noting the history around the creation of Tennessee’s borders and regions in addition to an examination of Tennessee’s rich cultural heritage.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
How did my state get its shape?
Staging Question
Generate a list of things that are special about Tennessee and discuss which three things are most important and why they are the most important.
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Supporting QuestionHow did Tennessee get its borders?
Formative TasksAnnotate a Tennessee map by highlighting the defining characteristics of Tennessee’s borders and regions.
SourcesSource A: This is how each state got its shape, USA Today, 2021.
Source B: Tennessee: Get Facts and Photos about the 16th State, National Geographic Kids.
Source C: Google Earth
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Supporting QuestionHow do people and places shape my state?
Formative TasksGather and annotate 10-15 sources that tell a story about people and/or places (e.g., musicians, cities, Smoky Mountains) in Tennessee. Then, make a list of how your assigned group’s people/places have shaped the state of Tennessee.
SourcesSource A: Resources for Jump Starting Student Research, various curated websites.
Source B: Student generated resources
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Construct an argument by making a poster that tells the story of how Tennessee got its shape using a variety of informational and geographic sources (e.g., images, maps).
Extension:
Taking Informed Action
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