Our mission this year is to learn all about the 50 states; capitals, location, landmarks, etc...
We will keep things simple. A few excellent resources can serve us well, but too many choices can leave us feeling overwhelmed.
This post, therefore, will present tried and true favorites for learning about the 50 United States.
Drill and repetition is the foundation for our learning. This, coupled with books, games and activities, will hopefully cement this knowledge for years to come!
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Memory Work (Apps, Flashcards)
Through our homeschool program we learn a few states and capitals each week. This constant drill and review will cement knowledge of the states. We supplement with our drill/repetition resources:
GeoMaster: a free app that drills state locations and capitals - much fun!
Games
The Scrambled States of America This game is such fun! We've had the book and DVD for years, and the game is such a fun addition to our collection. Learning about the 50 states has never been so easy!
My kids made up their own states and capitals review game at the pool. I'm always the "caller" -- I call a state name as they run off the diving board and they have to say the capital before they hit the water. Fun!
Books
Notebooking
Three years ago, when we learned the US states with my oldest, she created a notebook.
We used our membership to Notebooking Pages and were able to download notebooking pages for each of the 50 states. This is a great project for your kids to sink their teeth into, and they will have a beautiful finished product when they are done!
Map Tracing
Map tracing is an integral part of our geography studies.
Find maps you like, get some tracing paper and Sharpies, and trace each state as you go. Trace the entire United States, too. You will be amazed at how quickly your child will learn to draw each state and draw the entire United States.
I prefer WonderMaps, but whatever maps you choose, be sure they are outline maps that are easily traceable.
(Classical Conversations readers: I also use the maps from user heathergwyn on CC Connected.)
Fifty Nifty United States
This is the song I used in my elementary music classes when I was a teacher. It's catchy and your kids will be able to memorize all of the 50 states in alphabetical order in no time!
Whatever resources you choose, can I offer one piece of advice?
STAY CONSISTENT!
I've found that children love it when you repeat things in the same way. Our 50 State study looks like this each week:
- introduce the new states (generally 4 or 5 per week) and their capitls -- DRILL THESE daily
- listen to 50 Nifty United States and sing along
- trace the entire United States daily and color in the states we are learning about
- notebook about each of the states during that week
- make books about the states available (strew around your house on coffee tables, bedside tables, etc...)
- play games about the states as a family
Devise a plan that works for your children and stick to it.
Most of all, HAVE FUN!
Are you studying the 50 United States this year? Tell me about it!