Assignment #3: SMART Board Activity

The more time I spend looking up the endless possibilities with a SMART Board the more I learned and the more I am amazed. I was able to find a great way to use the SMART Board with helping the class learn their States and their Capitals. I came across a website with several different activities which can be done on a SMART Board, and here is that link. From this particular website I found another link of map activities. I ended up deciding that using the States and Capitals map would be an excellent choice for a 5th grade Geography class. Here is the link for this given activity.

I enjoy how this activity has different levels so those students who may have a hard time with learning the material can go at their own pace, and those who already know will not be bored; rather challenged by a more difficult level. This is an excellent way for students to see where the States are located within the U.S., as well as which capital coincides with which state. After one is able to locate a given capital with its proper State, one can then read some of the information given about each. After the activity is completed, a final score is added up and then given to show one’s accuracy on their knowledge of the States and their capitals. I would love to do this particular activity in teams, however I think that which ever team went second would have a greater advantage. Also, maybe it is best not to always encourage competition. Instead, the whole class will participate and, as a class they will receive a final grade. This activity meets several different NETS for Student standards, and they include: II.A, III.B, IV.A, V.B, VI.A.