The students in a social studies class were asked to identify things to do in their city of Charlotte. They mentioned sports teams, speedways, and amusement parks. The students then created a travel brochure highlighting attractions in Charlotte and surrounding areas. The brochures showed places of interest, as well as the cultural and economic impact of events like the Democratic National Convention and CIAA basketball tournament. By researching and designing the brochures, the students gained more knowledge of Charlotte and an appreciation for where they live.

1. Shirley Jackson
Charlotte Visitors Bureau

3. The students in Mrs. Jackson’s social studies class were
asked; “What is there to do in your city”?
The students mentioned a variety of things to see and do.
At the top of the list was going to see the Charlotte Bobcats
or the Carolina Panthers play. They also mentioned the
Charlotte Motor Speedway and Carowinds. Many of the
sites mentioned are places that students wanted to see but
had not had the opportunity.
The students brainstormed several ideas which were then
combined into an assignment to create a travel brochure
for others visiting the area.

4. • We know that Charlotte currently ranks 17th on the list of
top 50 cities in the United States.
• As the #2 banking capital in the United States, it has
quickly risen to take its place among places to be in
North America.
• We know that because of the climate and close proximity
to the mountains and the ocean the city is extremely
popular with young adults.

6. Site of The Olympics

7. As a result of our search for things to do; students were
required to design a brochure or poster that showed things
of interest in Charlotte area, The Piedmont, Foothills, and
Mountains of North Carolina.
In addition, we want to know how Charlotte would stack up
to other cities n the region and how the culture effects the
economy. The open dialogue discussion and fact finding
allowed for us to discuss various cities in other regions of
North Carolina.

8. Home of The African-American Culture Center

9. Come pan for gold at the site of the first gold mine in the
United States.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded
&v=HAkTUod29v8.

10. • We would like to measure how articulate our students are
when expressing themselves in oral presentations and in
the use of technology to produce their product.
• We are also trying to gauge the economic impact of the
(DNC) Democratic National Convention and The (CIAA)
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association have had on
the Charlotte region.
• Each of the above events have greatly impacted the city
coffers and have brought a boon to the economy.

13. • The information collected and recorded will come from the
brochures the students have submitted over the past
semester.
• Furthermore the information that the students collect and
present in their oral presentations will be incorporated into the
assessments as a grade and will become part of the
coursework. “It is important that learners/students feel they are
connected and not isolated” (Word Press).
• The student facts and figures will then be charted and
compared for the various venues revenue prior to the DNC
and the CIAA arriving in Charlotte. This information can also
be used to create a math lesson.

14. • The brochures collected will be on display for the
students and staff to see what the social studies students
have been learning about the wonderful region that we
live in.
• The information collected can be used as a guide for
other students or staff that are may be new to the area or
simply may not know the resources available in
Charlotte.

16. • The information gathered here will enable educators and
students alike to determine the places in Charlotte that
they would like to explore in their free time.
• Based on the recommendations of the students, other
students visiting the area may find things equally of
interest to them.
• A copy of our final report will be sent to the Mayor Fox’s
office to display the hard work that the Druid Hill
Academy students have committed to doing to show
what a great city we live in.

18. Regional Visitors Bureau

19. As a result of what we learned collectively in social studies
class this semester, the students were are to increase their
knowledge of Charlotte and gain a new-found appreciation
for where they live. The students were able to apply the
knowledge and create booklets that were engaging and
informative based on what they had learned.

20. One of the many places we visited for free

21. • Horton, W. (2012). E-Learning By Design, 2nd Edition.
San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Word Press. Teaching Through Collaboration Blogs.
http://rafleckt.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/etec-541-
learning-interactionsabsorb-do-connect-activities/