Our Video Adventure: Traveling Through Blair County

Our third graders study Blair County in their social studies class. In conjunction with this study, the students in my Language Arts class will complete a special project on Blair County businesses. The students will be interviewing and reporting on a business in our community. A list of businesses in our area is attached. They may choose one of these, or they may select one of their own choice. Everyone will do a different business so that we have a variety. Students may either interview the business in person or by telephone. The interview will consist of several questions and is attached. The students may work independently or in a small group of two or three. A scoring guide is also attached.

After the students have completed their interview, they will need to write a report on the local business they chose. (Several examples from former students are attached.) The report should contain three paragraphs and include the following information: Paragraph 1 should be the introduction. In this paragraph, tell us things such as the name of the business, where it is located, what kind of business it is, and who the owner is. Paragraph 2 should give the details of what you learned from your interview questions. This paragraph should be at least 5 or 6 sentences long. Paragraph 3 is the concluding paragraph. This paragraph should be two or three sentences and should summarize the information about the business. The report may be typed or hand written.

In addition, the students are to construct a model of the business they reported on. The model should be about the size of a shoebox (approximately 12” X 8”X 4”) and is to be made at home. Please keep the project to this size so that it will easily fit into the display showcase. The students only need to make the model of the exterior of the business. They can use any type of materials they want -- be creative! However, please do not put a lot of expense into this project.

The reports will be compiled into a single booklet for each child to take home. The models of the businesses will be on display in our showcase.

The video will include a clip of the actual site, the student presentation, and the model of the structure. All videoed sections will then be complied into a full length production entitled: Our Video Adventure: Traveling Through Blair County

A LIST OF BUSINESSES
IN THE COMMUNITY YOU MAY CHOOSE FROM:

Duncansville Pharmacy NAPA Auto Parts
Dairy Queen Hoss's Restaurant
McDonald's Holiday Hair
Wendy's Russell's Auto
Burger King Auto Spa
Headlines Hair Studio Eddie's Tire
The Meadow's Holiday Pool and Spa
The Towne Buzz Harley Davidson
Laurel Bank A Cut Above
Always A Party The YMCA
Mellon Bank Tractor Supply
Hollidaysburg Trust Company Rose Dry Cleaners and
Sheetz Holland's Meat Market
Brian's Bakery Ace Fix-it Hardware Store
Inlow's Restaurant Jethro’s
Dollar Tree All Star Pizza
Box Seat Video Smith Furniture
Subway Blue Knob Auto
John Stuckey Ford Uncle Ben’s Pet Shop
The Locker Room Fiore Toyota/VW
Beerbower Jewelers Small Tubes Industries
McLanahan Corporation Pine Ridge Bridal Loft
Slinky Action Zone Allegro Restaurant
Citizen’s Bank James Industry
CopyRite
Bickel's Surplus Uni-Mart
Leighty's Farm Market Subway
Dave's Dream W.S. Lee & Sons
Dollar General Classy, Canine Creations
Best Way Pizza A & M Greenhouse
Beaks, Paws, and Claws Blair County Oil and Supply Co.
Original Italian Pizza Turkey Hill Mini-Market
Pizza Hut New Pig Corp.
Dunkin Donuts Blair Animal Hospital
Kopp Drug or Thompson Pharmacy Martin's Grocery Store
U.S. Hotel Answer Physical Therapy
Luigetta's Ritchey's Tree Farm
Professional's Auto Body KellerEngineer
Lakemont Veterinary Clinic
Ollie’s
EXAMPLES:
HOSS'S STEAK AND SEA HOUSE

Do you want to get an excellent meal here in Blair County? Come to Hoss's Steak and Sea House. They have a wide variety of food and have been in business for over 20 years. They have 200 employees in this community. Dave Decker says they provide a wholesome, affordable restaurant and make many contributions to organizations such as 4H and Multiple Sclerosis. Hoss's depends on the community to eat at the restaurant. So, for a great evening meal with the family, go to Hoss’s Steak and Sea House.


A&M Greenhouse

If you need a place to go for plants, fresh flowers for all seasons, or Christmas trees, visit A&M Greenhouse. Annie Meadows says that the people in the community depend on A&M Greenhouse for all their fresh florals. A&M Greenhouse has been in business for nearly 15 years. They have about five employees, and they give quality service. Annie depends on the community to buy plants from her business. So, when you need plants for your home, see Annie at A&M Greenhouse. She will help you select the best ones for your needs.

THE MEADOWS FROZEN CUSTARD

Where can you and your family go for some great frozen custard?
The Meadows have been serving their original frozen custard for 50 years. They offer four flavors of ice cream each day. You can get vanilla, chocolate, and two special flavors like strawberry, banana, or cookies and cream. The Meadows have 15 employees in the winter and 70 employees in the summer. Joe Meadows, one of the owners, says that The Meadows serves the community by providing original frozen custard, miniature golf, and batting cages. They also donate products and money to the community. The Meadows depends on the community to visit with friends and family, to buy frozen custard, and to enjoy themselves with the other activities. The Meadows is a wonderful place in Blair County you can go to for a fun time with your family.


Name: Date:



Directions: After you have contacted the local business of your
choice, ask them the following questions. If you can
think of additional questions, feel free to ask those also.




• What is the name of your business? (Please include the name of
the person you interviewed.)

• How long have you been in business in our community?

• How many employees do you have? How long have they worked for you?

• What services do you provide for the community?

• How do you depend upon the people of the community?

• What do you like best about being in business in Blair County?

• What do you like least about being in business in Blair County?

• Does your business have more than one location? If so, where?

• What plans do you have for the future of your business?




Blair County Business Project Scoring Guide

Name(s) ________________________________________________

Date ___________________________________________________

BusinessSelected ________________________________________


_____ 5/5 Project was completed by due date.

_____ 10/10 A student made model of the business was included.

_____ 5/5 Model is neatly done and accurate.

_____ 5/5 Written report is neatly done.

_____ 5/5 Written report included a good introductory paragraph.

_____ 10/10 Written report included many details that answered the
interview questions.

_____ 5/5 Written report included a good concluding paragraph.

_____ 5/5 Written report included accurate spelling, punctuation, and
grammar.

_____/50 Total


Comments: