However, I've been thinking about trying (again) a fifty states study. I'm just not sure how I want to do it. We started before and didn't finish. I basically liked what we were doing -- focusing on a couple of states a week for a little while a couple of days during the week. My goal was for Brianna (Josh and Meg were a little too young at the time) to learn the states and capitals, the location of the state and an interesting fact or two about each.The library had series of books that we were using -- Discover America State by State Alphabet Series. We'd read the book, which told the state facts and points of interest, color that state on a map and color the flag and state outline for the notebook.
Anyway, I'm not sure that I have the time to devote to that each day (read: I'm pretty sure I would not do that consistently), so I was toying with the idea of "State Fridays." By Friday, I'm usually pretty much over regular school stuff. We could do the whole read the book/fill out the notebook pages thing and even play the States Rummy card game I bought a couple of years ago (fun!). I was thinking we might could even do some sort of simple project for each state - fix a meal/snack or do a craft respresentative of the state. Of course, if I did that I wouldn't want to do but one state a week...which would take fifty weeks! (And, maybe that's okay.)
I thought about doing it as a fun summer project, but even doing a state a day would take ten weeks. We're probably not going to take ten weeks off...and, um, I wouldn't be consistent with a state a day during the summer, either.
Ugh! See my frustration? I've got lots of fun ideas, I'm just not quite sure how I want to work it in. It doesn't help that I found these awesome state notebook pages created by Jimmie at One Child Policy Homeschool. They're great! Don't they make you want to make a state notebook with your kids?
So, if you've done a state study, how did you organize and or schedule it? I'd love some ideas.
Photo by Archibald Jude
we do one state per week. And we're going in order of those closest to us. Since we live in DC, we are very very close to 4 states....but the kids keep nagging me, "When are we gonna do Alaska mom??" (can you tell they're homesick?
ReplyDeleteWe like learning about each state.
When I student taught in fourth grade, we studied the U.S. by breaking it down into regions: regional food, customs, culture, etc. Maybe if each state seems too overwhelming you could do regions instead?
ReplyDeleteHi Kris,
ReplyDeleteI haven't specifically studied the states with my kids, but we have played the games 'scrambled states of america' and 'scrambled states of america 2' with family and friends. They remember the capitols, recognize the state shapes, and can find them on a map. We have had those homeschool 'moments' where the kids take a bite of their sandwich and say, Mom, this looks like california, or tell me that a shadow in the car looks like new jersey.
Although it is not a curriculum per se, It goes a long way towards bringing the states home. Current events and where produce, food and clothing are manufactured also go a long ways to interconnect the abstract 'state' with the concrete 'something in my house'
Naomi
I actually use the 50 States Under God. We do two states a week. I review the states and capitals everytime we learn about a new state. Like you I want them to know where the states are located and their capitals. It is hard to work it all in. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi, I just found your blog via the Homeschool carnival. I was going to suggest Trail Guide to U.S. Geography. It only takes a few moments a day. It has some map work and you learn some fun facts. Everything gets stored in a notebook. You can explore further on your own if you like. http://www.geomatters.com/products/details.asp?ID=70
ReplyDeleteI have done a little bit with my kids but then we got distracted and never went back. I am planning on starting the World Geography one in January with my kids. It will tie in nice with all the myths that we have been reading lately.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm leaning toward doing "State Friday" for however long it takes us to finish. After all, we're on no one's time frame but our own, right? However, I am going to check out some of the links and suggestions. I'm sure you'll be hearing about whatever I decide. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! I am wondering what the difference is between notebooking and lapbooking is? My email is ssealing@cfaith.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for your time!!