The Great American Landmarks Adventure

More Activities

Using the Book	Using a map of the United States, locate the landmarks in the book. [2-12; geography, history, social studies] Develop a time line for the landmarks in the book. [4-12: math, history, social studies] Identify other places in your community or the nation that represent the same or similar themes as those in the book. [6-12: geography, history, social studies] Have each student prepare a more in-depth report on a landmark in the book. Share this "research" with the rest of the class. [4-8+: history, reading, science, social studies, writing]
Using the Local Community	Identify local landmarks and draw a map with their location. [2-6+: geography, history, social studies] Research a local neighborhood to learn about its history. Look for clues in building design and construction, types of businesses and churches, street names, and current residents. [3-12: reading, history, social studies] Create a slide show to present the history of a neighborhood or community to younger students or an adult community group. [5-12: art, history, social studies, writing] Prepare a brochure illustrating and giving directions for a walking tour for residents and visitors in the community. [6-12: art, geography, history, social studies, writing] Visit an historic place in the community. Explore through local experts the history of the building or site including how it has changed over the years. Have students write an essay summarizing what they learn and draw the historic place. [3-6: art, history, social studies, writing] Visit a local landmark that is undergoing restoration. Ask the professionals working on the project to explain how scientific techniques and equipment are being used to learn about the history of the building or site. [5-12: art, history, science] Select a local landmark. Discuss how someone without sight, hearing, or another physical limitation could experience the historical importance of the landmark. [6-12: communication, social studies] Have students adopt a landmark in the community and make the landmark more inviting. Help with its care (e.g., pick up trash, wash windows, rake leaves, plant flowers). [K-12: social studies] Develop a brochure or other media presentation (e.g., slides, video, plaque) to tell visitors about a landmark. [8-12: art, writing] Collect articles on how such factors as weather, pollution, environmental disasters, vandalism, and economics are affecting landmarks, art and monuments. Research what people are doing to preserve and reconstruct these treasures. [7-12: art, geography, history, reading, science, social studies] Identify and invite representatives of organizations in your local community that focus on preservation to visit. Consider organizations concerned about preservation of your natural as well as your man-made environment. [4-12: art, history, science, social studies]
Fun Ways to Evaluate What Students Have Learned
Landmark Riddles	Prepare small pieces of paper with the names of National Historic Landmarks. Have each student select the name of a landmark and write a riddle (e.g. I am the place where Congress passes laws. I am ____________.) Type riddles on a worksheet and have students solve. Using the chart that provides reasons why landmarks are chosen, discuss why these landmarks were selected. [2-6+]
Landmark Jeopardy	Prepare a board similar to the one seen on the "Jeopardy" television show. Organize names of landmarks by categories (e.g. art, careers, geography, politics). Assign 10 to 50 points to answers within each category by level of difficulty. Divide class into two teams. Teams take turns selecting landmarks and asking questions. Team with highest score when board is cleared wins. [5-12]

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