The Fifty States: A Homeschool History Project

Mapping the United States and learning more about each of the states is common in the fourth grade curriculum. My daugher is currently in fourth grade so we have started a project to learn more about each state. We study one of the fifty states per week.

If there is concern about having to continue this project throughout the summer, then modify the deadline to meet your needs. Instead of studying one state per week, study two states per week. This way, the project can be completed in twenty-five weeks instead of fifty weeks.

You will need a notebook that has at least fifty pages in it. If you do not have one, then you can use a binder and place fifty sheets of paper inside of it. On the cover write the title, "The Fifty States". Now at the top of each page write a state. My suggestion is to go in alphabetical order so you don't accidentally miss a state. Just look in your History book and copy the list of states.

Once you have your pages dedicated to each state, let the learning begin. The wonderful part about homeschooling and this project is that you do not have a specified order to follow. My daughter and I stared with our own state, New Jersey. In the beginning the notebook may look unorganized to a stranger, but when it is finished all of the pages will be filled in completely.

Let the child choose the state that he or she would like to study that week. It is good to allow the student to have some control over his or her own learning. It also teaches how to make choices.

So what information should be included about each state in the notebook? List the state's flower. Find the state's song (if any). Find out what the state is most known for. For example, New Jersey is called the garden state, because of farming. Florida is the sunshine state, and so on. Research if any presidents were born in the state. List any historical events that happened in the state. List historical attractions or wonders. For example, there are many lighthouses in South Jersey that have been around for a long time. It is also fun to list the weather pattern in the state and the time zone of the state. Find interesting facts about that state and add that in your notebook. The student can even draw some of the facts, such as the state animal or state bird. Make the project educational, but keep it fun.

When the study is complete, the student will have the notebook to treasure for a time to come. It may also be useful later with doing homework.