Introduction

You are all going to be travel agents. As part of the job, you will need to find out as much as you can about the state of Pennsylvania. Your goal is to show why Pennsylvania would be a perfect place to visit. You need to convince as many people as you can to plan a vacation to our beautiful state. As you are doing this job, think about the qualities of a fun, exciting vacation.

Your task is to research information about the state of Pennsylvania. After you have located all of the information needed for a wonderful vacation, you will:

• create a travel brochure that gives interesting facts about Pennsylvania

• First everyone will be assigned to a team of 4 students.
• Each group member will research a specific topic about Pennsylvania. The 4 research topics will be: attractions/places to visit, important historical facts, interesting facts about Pennsylvania and landforms/bodies of water and weather.
• The group member assigned to research the attractions/places to visit must find at least 10 visitor sites. Some examples of visitor sites are museums, theme parks and national parks.
• The group member assigned to research the important historical facts must find at least 10 historical facts that you think are important. You may include important people in Pennsylvania history, important historical events and any other historical facts you find interesting and informative.
• The group member assigned to research interesting facts about Pennsylvania must find at least 10 facts. An example of this could be "Did you know that...". Your job is to simply find facts that many people do not know about Pennsylvania.
• The group member assigned to research landforms/bodies of water and weather will find information about any mountain ranges, and lakes or rivers. This person will also research the weather in Pennsylvania. Be sure to find the weather for each season.
• Your group will use the web sites listed below to find the required information to which you've been assigned. All group members should look at all of the web sites. They are all very interesting and informative.
• Once each person finds his or her information, you may print what you need. YOU NEED TO ASK THE TEACHER BEFORE YOU PRINT ANYTHING!!
• After you have gathered and printed the information which you need, you will need to organize it. You may use the following web site where you will find a worksheet to organize your researchhttp://www.teachnology.com/worksheets/graphic/ladder/.
• After you get to this web site, you need to click on the link that says Printable Version. Once you have done that, you may print 2 copies of this worksheet. These worksheets will be used to organize your research.
• After all group members have organized the information, the group will come back together to create a travel brochure. The brochure will contain all of the information which you have collected.
• You will make the brochure by folding a piece of construction paper three ways. The front and back may contain any pictures or any other information you may wish to include. You may draw the pictures or find them on the internet. The inside of the brochure will contain the information which you collect. You may put some of your information on the front or back if you wish.
• After the brochure has been completed, your group will present it to the class.

There will be two grades assigned for this project. Each person will be evaluated individually based on the research that he or she completes. There will also be a group grade. Evaluation will be based on whether or not all information is included and if the brochure is done correctly. You will also be evaluated on your group's ability to work together in a cooperative setting.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Student effectively researches a topic about Pennsylvania	Research is inaccurate or incomplete.The information gathered does not match the topic.	The information gathered matches the topic but may be incomplete.	The information gathered is complete, accurate and matches the topic.	The information gathered is very complete, highly accurate and matches the topic.
Student effectively organizes research	Research is organized poorly or not at all.	Research is somewhat organized, but lacks complete organization.	Research is effectively organized	Research is highly organized.
Group produces a brochure with all requirements met	Brochure is inaccurate or does not meet any or all requirements.	Brochure is partially accurate. Requirements may be missing.	Brochure is accurate and contains all requirements.	Brochure is of exceptional quality and meets all requirements or may have additional features.
Group effectively works in a cooperative setting.	Little or no demonstration of cooperative work.	Partial demonstration of cooperative work.	Demonstration of effective cooperative work.	High level of demonstration of effective cooperative work.
Group effectively presents the brochure	Presentation lacks all requirements and all members do not participate.	Presentation may lack some requirements or only some members participate.	Presentation meets all requirements. All group members participate.	Presentation is highly effective,meets all requirements and may include additional requirements. All members participate.

Congratulations, you have finished the brochure. You have now convinced many people that Pennsylvania is a perfect place to visit. You will also be able to tell your friends and family some interesting facts about Pennsylvania. Now you are expert travel agents, so perhaps you can design a brochure for our neighboring states, New York and New Jersey. If you do, check out these web sites: