As I mentioned (I think, I know I did over at ABC & 123), we’re restarting our state studies with 2 other families, but I wanted to finish up posting about what we’ve done so far, before restarting it all.
This time we’re going in order of the states entering the Union. So, on Wednesday (which will be yesterday for you guys, if I schedule this for Thursday), we’ll have studied Delaware. And the week after that we’ll be learning about Pennsylvania.
So, any suggestions for Pennsylvania and New Jersey would be much appreciated (I have some ideas for Pennsylvania, but none yet for NJ).
Kansas booklist
Mortimer’s First Garden- which Batman just saw as I was entering these into the computer and took it away
Aunt Minnie and the Twister- which got a rare request to read again
Twisted Tale– no picture of the cover, but it’s a super cute book about a family that goes through a tornado and how they have to solve the problem of their twisted up animals.
Misses
That Dancin’ Dolly- Which seems so cute, but it didn’t quite work right, aside from the kids asking me to sing it as a song, because it’s a song, so I tried my best to sight read the music….. kinda
Gramda Essie’s Covered Wagon– not on the carousel, but it was a little long for their concentration, and it was more of a journey type of book, no real action for the boys. I might try them on it again in a few years. It’s an interesting story about a little girl and how she remembers all of her moving back and forth and how much she had a hard time with that. I think that’s the other problem, it’s totally out of their frame of reference.
Well, that’s a quick overview. I’m off to take a walk with the kids, and then maybe when I get back write the rest of my posts for the week. That or go upstairs and work on some more painting. We’ll see.
However, back to Kansas:
Here’s what you see:
On the left: meadowlark, buffalo
Aunt Minnie and the Twister paintings (that’s what’s in the envelope)
On the right hand side: sunflower paintings
State symbols book (link to printable)
Twisted Tale (in the pocket are the illustrations)
And on the bottom is the life cycle of a sunflower, which dovetailed nicely with this math activity.
Other things we did, but aren’t in the book:
watched Wizard of Oz, I was going to make puppets for it, but opted not to.
made tornado proof houses.
And that’s our Kansas study……..
I know absolutely nothing about NJ. Pennsylvania, of course, has the Liberty Bell, and so much early US history…
Sounds like a great state study! The only thing I know about New Jersey is factories.
Seriously, not being snarky (I hope you already know that) :), but when do you find the time to plan all these projects? Do you have a once a week planning time? Or do you just have lots of supplies at your house so that you can do things at the spur of the moment? I am amazed. Really. You are doing such a great job with your kiddos. They will always remember that.
I love the sunflower paintings.
We did PA; it's such a fun state to study! We were lucky enough to go to Philadelphia for the 4th of July when we were studying the state. It was very cool.
We haven't studied NJ yet. It's the garden state. Not the most exciting state – sorry NJ.
So fun!!
Well, I lived in NJ for a while, and it isn't that bad! It's actually quite green with a lot of parks. There is Princeton/Einstein if you want to go that way, Jersey Shore, Atlantic City. For Anna it's simple – New Jersey is where her grandparents live 🙂
By the way, I am also impressed with how you find time for those unit studies – very impressive.
Lovely lap book! Great study on the state. You just might yet inspire me to do some geography with my kids. (It's always been my worst subject!)
Ticia, I'd be happy to mail postcards from PA & NJ to you guys. Just email me w/your address. NJ is also home to Great Adventure (fun!), and Valley Forge. It is also well-known for its tomatoes.
For PA there is Hershey chocolates, Liberty Bell, and Crayola Factory.
Great State study. Love the sunflower paintings.