Welcome to the Trailhead of The Sea to Shining Sea Reading Adventure Trail!
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The map is a resource that every student will want to keep for reference. The map back lists each state and capital with state information such as order of statehood, date admitted to the Union, State Motto and more.
Students place sticker dots along the trail to chart their reading accomplishments.
The map is 11" x 17".
The Sea to Shining Sea Trail begins in Miami, Florida and finishes in Seattle, Washington.
The cards are 2½" x 3½" actual size. The card fronts are fully illustrated with a colorful scene from the featured city or state. The card back describes information about the places the students visit along the trail.
Establish a reading goal for your student based on the student’s reading level. Normal goals range from 15 minutes to 1 hour (see reading goals). Each time the reading goal is reached, the reader earns a sticker dot for their map.
Each reader is encouraged to read and record on the Reading Log Sheet the date, the material read, and the number of reading minutes. A student who cannot read can earn minutes by being read to.
Each week the Reading Log Sheets are tabulated. A sticker dot is earned for each reading goal reached by the student. These dots are placed on the map, beginning at start. Any remaining minutes can be carried over and added to next weeks total.
When a specified city is reached on the map, the reader is awarded with the City Card for that city. These cards give information about the city and fun facts about the city or state. You may want to consider using the suggested city prizes (listed below) in conjunction with the City Cards.
The Administrative Map may be used by the parent or teacher administering the program. Using the chart on the back of the Administrative Map, record the minutes read, any minutes remaining from the previous week, the number of dots earned, and the remainder for next week. Use the Administrative Map to color in the number of dots earned to determine what City Cards should be awarded.
Mileage can be earned by readers either reading on their own or by being read to.
The little round stickers are small. If you have trouble placing them on the map, try putting the sticker on the point of a pencil and touch the pencil to the spot on the map where it should go. The sticker dot should stick to the map where you touch it.
Minutes Earned Method:
The length of the program can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of time required for each dot. For example a reading goal of 30 minutes per dot will require 150 minutes of reading per week to complete the program in 18 weeks.
To shorten the program time, shorten the amount of time required to earn a dot. To lengthen the program, lengthen the amount of time required to earn a dot.
In test studies using 30 minutes for each dot, the readers responded so well that the average of 150 minutes per week was greatly exceeded.
Points Earned Method:
The length of the program can be adjusted by adjusting the number of points required for each dot.
Featured Cities of The Sea to Shining Sea Trail
Students will encounter 24 different cities along The Sea to Shining Sea Trail.
Miami, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Montgomery, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
New Orleans, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Little Rock, Arkansas
Jefferson City, Missouri
Topeka, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas
Denver, Colorado
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Casper, Wyoming
Billings, Montana
Helena, Montana
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Salem, Oregon
Olympia, Washington
Seattle, Washington
The Sea to Shining Sea Trail Suggested Reading List. Students can choose from 26 different book titles with a varied range of reading levels. Click here to see the book titles and additional information.
Collector's Corner - There are ways to help each student take pride and interest in the collection.
Help the students by organizing a collector’s notebook. This can be any standard three ring binder or even a student-made and decorated binder using cardboard and ring clips with three "baseball card" sleeve sheets. The sleeve sheets serve as a way for the students to organize their City Cards as they reach their goals. The Reading Log Sheets may be returned to the student to be added to the notebook as well. Great visual for student-led parent conferences as well as to demonstrate accomplishment to the student.
The Prize Is Right - Here’s an idea to personalize the reading program for your students. Start by choosing certain cities as "prize cities". When a student reaches the prize city, they receive a regional prize that spices up the program and reinforces the industry and heritage of the cities and states along the trail.
Many educators agree that thoughts and concepts that are linked to an object will aid in the retention of the lesson.
PROGRAM IDEAS FOR THE SEA TO SHINING SEA ROUTE
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