Stuck for fun or new ways to teach about the 50 states (or Canadian provinces and Australian states)? This week, Education World offers five lessons to liven up your 50 States unit. Included: Lessons in language, math, phys ed, more!
Have you run out of ideas for teaching about the U.S. states -- or Canadian provinces or Australian provinces, states, and territories? Are you looking for ideas to engage students in learning about neighboring states or regions? Many teachers have found that ABC books are a great way to actively involve students in learning about the world they live in. Those teachers share state ABC books from the library, then challenge students to research and create their own ABC books about their home state or another state.
ABC books can be created in paper format or on a Web page. Ask the school librarian to set aside part of a bookshelf so students can share their ABC books with their schoolmates. Take a look at examples of online ABC books, for example, Alaska Railroad from A to Z by Mr. Kraska's fifth grade class at Weller Elementary in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Morris Farm Alphabet Book by Mrs. Jackson's first graders at Wiscasset (Maine) Primary School, and a California History ABC Book created by a class of fourth graders at Payne School in San Jose, California.
If you don't think ABC books are the way to go, you also might consider…
Education World has put together a Mystery States quiz for teachers and students. The quiz, which aims to improve students' geography and research skills while teaching a little state history, includes five clues for each of the 50 U.S. states. Write a new clue on the board each day. The daily clues start out obscure and get easier as the week goes on. See how long it takes students to figure out each Mystery State! Click Mystery States for this new teaching resource!
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This week, Education World provides five lessons for teaching about the 50 U.S. states or about any other country's territorial units. Click on each of the five lesson headlines below for a complete teaching resource.
Searching the States (or Provinces)
Scavenger Hunt
Send students on a scavenger hunt for specific facts and figures about the 50 U.S. states or other territorial units. (Grades 3-12)
Geography Twister
Encourage students to exercise by playing this fun geography game based on Twister.
(Grades K-8)
ZIP Code Math
Students add or subtract to solve ZIP Code Math word problems. A ZIP Code Math work sheet is included. (Grades 3-12)
The School Travel Agency
Students have been contracted to write and design travel brochures for a variety of states or provinces. After analyzing what makes an attractive and interesting travel brochure, students tackle the job! (Grades 3-12)
Fifty States Field Day
Hold a field day with 50 stations. Each station offers a physical activity related to a different U.S. state. (Grades K-8)
The following Web sites are excellent resources for students as they search for general facts and figures about U.S. states. Appropriate grades levels are indicated in parentheses.
Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World® Editor in Chief
Copyright © 2007 Education World
Originally published 09/06/2002
Links last updated 10/31/2007
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