Lesson Plan 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 Maryland. Here are some examples of fun facts:
- State Crustacean: Maryland's official state crustacean is the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Known for its sweet and flavorful meat, the blue crab is not just a culinary delight but also an iconic symbol of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay region.
- National Anthem Inspiration: Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," was from Maryland. He was inspired to write the poem that became the lyrics to the national anthem after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 in Baltimore Harbor.
- First Dental School: The world's first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840. It marked a significant milestone in the field of dentistry and remains a prestigious institution today.
- State Sport: Maryland's official state sport is jousting. Designated in 1962, jousting is a traditional equestrian sport where riders compete to spear small rings with a lance. Maryland hosts numerous jousting tournaments and considers it an integral part of its cultural heritage.
- U.S. Naval Academy: Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Naval Academy is one of the country's premier institutions for training officers for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It was established in 1845 and has a distinguished history of producing leaders in military and civilian sectors.
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 Maryland.
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.
- Save often!
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | Examples are accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are somewhat accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are inaccurate, incomplete, disorganized, and difficult to understand. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict the written description with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc. | Illustrations depict the written description but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not make sense with the written description. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
Lesson Plan 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 Maryland. Here are some examples of fun facts:
- State Crustacean: Maryland's official state crustacean is the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Known for its sweet and flavorful meat, the blue crab is not just a culinary delight but also an iconic symbol of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay region.
- National Anthem Inspiration: Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," was from Maryland. He was inspired to write the poem that became the lyrics to the national anthem after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 in Baltimore Harbor.
- First Dental School: The world's first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840. It marked a significant milestone in the field of dentistry and remains a prestigious institution today.
- State Sport: Maryland's official state sport is jousting. Designated in 1962, jousting is a traditional equestrian sport where riders compete to spear small rings with a lance. Maryland hosts numerous jousting tournaments and considers it an integral part of its cultural heritage.
- U.S. Naval Academy: Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Naval Academy is one of the country's premier institutions for training officers for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It was established in 1845 and has a distinguished history of producing leaders in military and civilian sectors.
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 Maryland.
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.
- Save often!
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | Examples are accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are somewhat accurate, complete, well organized, and easy to understand. | Examples are inaccurate, incomplete, disorganized, and difficult to understand. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict the written description with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc. | Illustrations depict the written description but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not make sense with the written description. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Maryland Fun Facts
How to Research More Unique Maryland Facts for Your Storyboard
Expand your storyboard by exploring new, lesser-known Maryland facts. Encourage students to dig deeper beyond the provided list and discover interesting details that spark curiosity and creativity.
Guide students to use kid-friendly research websites
Have students visit trusted sites like Kiddle, National Geographic Kids, or state government pages to safely find accurate information. Show them how to search for 'Maryland fun facts for kids' to get age-appropriate results.
Teach students to take simple notes on new facts
Ask students to write down interesting facts in their own words. Encourage bullet points and short phrases so they can easily remember and use their findings in their storyboard.
Help students choose the most surprising or unusual facts
Guide students to pick facts that stand out or that their classmates might not know. Remind them that a unique fact will make their storyboard more memorable and engaging.
Show how to verify facts for accuracy
Demonstrate how to check facts on more than one website or source. Explain why it’s important to use reliable, up-to-date information for their project.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maryland Fun Facts
What are some fun facts about Maryland for kids?
Maryland is full of unique facts for kids, like being home to the blue crab (the state crustacean), the first dental school in the world, and the inspiration for the U.S. national anthem. These facts make Maryland an exciting state to learn about!
How can students create a storyboard about Maryland fun facts?
To create a storyboard about Maryland fun facts, students should pick three interesting facts, write each as a heading, add a short summary in each description box, and draw an illustration that matches each fact. This makes learning both creative and memorable!
Why is the blue crab important to Maryland?
The blue crab is Maryland's official state crustacean, famous for its tasty meat and a symbol of the Chesapeake Bay. It's vital to the state's culture, economy, and culinary traditions.
Who wrote the national anthem and what is Maryland's connection?
Francis Scott Key, a Maryland native, wrote the poem that became the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," after witnessing the Battle of Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812.
What is Maryland's official state sport and how is it played?
Jousting is Maryland's official state sport. Riders on horseback try to spear rings with a lance, celebrating a tradition that dates back centuries. Maryland hosts many jousting tournaments as part of its heritage.
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