Nevada

During our Nevada study the kids especially enjoyed a Google Earth visit to the Hoover Dam and to the Las Vegas Strip, and enjoyed learning about the history of wild horses in the American west. 

Books:

• S is for Silver: A Nevada Alphabet by Eleanor Coerr

• Nevada (My United States: A True Book) by Josh Gregory

• The Hoover Dam by Jeffrey Zuehlke

• Wild Horse Annie: Friend of the Mustangs by Tracey Fern

• You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Hoover Dam! By Ian Graham

• Paiute by Barbara Gray-Kanatiiosh

• The Fire Bringer by Margaret Hodges

• Hoover Dam by Lori Dittemer

• Rhyolite: The True Story of a Ghost Town by Diane Siebert

• Desert Town  by Bonnie Geisert

• Paiute Princess: The Story of Sarah Winnemucca by Deborah Kogan Ray

• Snowshoe Thompson by Nancy Smiler Levinson

• Ivy Takes Care by Rosemary Wells

• Lake Tahoe by Pam Zollman

Art Project:

Hoover Dam

The Nevada art project depicts the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Materials used are sharpie, oil pastel, and water colors. 

Nebraska

In Nebraska enjoyed learning more about the history of the plains and the peoples who have lived there. We also really enjoyed learning about the spectacular migration of Sandhill Cranes through Nebraska. 

Books:

• Locomotive by Brian Floca

• Little Nebraska

• C is for Cornhusker: A Nebraska Alphabet by Rajean Luebs Shepard

• Nebraska (My United States: A True Book) by Jennifer Zeiger

• The Huckabuck Family: and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back  by Carl Sandburg

• Going North by Janice Harrington

• Article on Evelyn Sharp: https://www.ninety-nines.org/sharpie-life-of-evelyn-sharp.htm 

• Native American Doctor: The Story of Susan LaFlesche Picotte by Jeri Ferris

• In the New World by Gerda Raidt

• Elsie’s Bird by Jane Yolen

• The Bell in the Bridge by Ted Kooser

• Bag in the Wind by Ted Kooser

• House Held Up By Trees by Ted Kooser

• Pioneer Girl: Growing Up on the Prairie by Andrea Warren

• Truth and Honor: The President Ford Story by Lindsey McDivitt

• Red Cloud: A Lakota Story of War and Surrender by S. D. Nelson

• Sandhill Crane Migration https://nebraskaflyway.com/the-spring-migration-of-the-sandhill-cranes/

Art Project:

Chimney Rock, Nebraska

For the art project the kids wanted to depict the iconic Chimney Rock at the time of westward expansion. We've spent a lot of time talking about the complex history of US expansion, and they understand that it was a disaster for native peoples, but also felt like it was a significant and recognizable piece of Nebraska history, and including the covered wagon added both scale and historical significance to the landscape. Media used are sharpie, oil pastel, and water color, as usual, and they especially had fun painting the sunset. 

Montana

The kids enjoyed learning about Montana women who busted historical barriers - Ella Haskell and Jeanette Rankin. They also loved looking at the scenery of mountains and prairie.

Books:

• Brave Wolf and the Thunderbird: Tales of the People (Tales of the People) by Medicine Crow

• Glacier National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Joanne Mattern

• Stolen Words by Melanie Florence

• The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn

• Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver by Tami Charles

• Eat Like a Bear by April Pulley Sayre (too juvenile?)

• B is for Big Sky: A Montana Alphabet by Sneed B. Collard III (Epic)

• Montana (My United States: A True Book) by Josh Gregory

• Couldn’t find a kids book about Ella Haskell but there’s this article: https://montanakids.com/cool_stories/Famous_Montanans/haskell.htm 

• When the sergeant came marching home by Don Lemna

• Out in Left Field by Don Lemna (These two are middle grade chapter books set in post WWII Montana)

• Wh​​en the Circus Came to Town by Laurence Yep

• Jeannette Rankin: First Lady of Congress by Trish Marx

• Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog by Sneed B Collard

• Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People by S.D. Nelson

Art Project: 

Glacier National Park, Montana

The art work depicts Glacier National Park in Montana. Medium is colored sharpie (for outlines), oil pastel, and water color.

Missouri

For Missouri, the kids really enjoyed learning about the 1904 World's Fair and Olympics which took place simultaneously in St. Louis. We also really enjoyed making a Gooey Butter (an iconic St. Louis coffee cake). 

Books:

• Dropping In On St. Louis

• A picture book of George Washington Carver by David A. Adler

• The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta

• Missouri (My United States: A True Book) by Jennifer Zeiger

• S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet

• Meet Me in St. Louis: A Trip to the 1904 World's Fair by Robert Jackson

• Off Like the Wind!: The First Ride of the Pony Express by Michael P. Spradlin

• Fairy Floss: The Sweet Story of Cotton Candy by Ann Ingalls

• Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson

• How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis & Clark by Rosalyn Schanzer

• Growing Up with the River, by Dan and Connie Burkhardt (not available at LAPL, but I’ve seen it recommended several times so including here in case you find it)

• I am Walt Disney by Brad Meltzer

• The Wildest Race Ever: The Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon by Meghan McCarthy

• Ruth’s River Dream by Elizabeth Pickard

• Our library doesn’t have it, but I found this video with the author doing a read-aloud of the book!

• Harry S. Truman by Ann Gaines

• A Girl Named Misty: The True Story of Misty Copeland by Kelly Starling Lyons

• Bunheads by Misty Copeland

Art Project:

Gateway Arch, St. Louis

Depicting the Gateway Arch in St. Louis seemed an obvious iconic Missouri art project. It was our first time trying city scape, and we were happy with the results. Water and sky are watercolor, everything else is sharpie and oil pastel. 

Mississippi

For Mississippi we really enjoyed listening to music from a variety of artists and musical styles to come out of Mississippi from Elvis (Rock & Roll) to The International Sweethearts of Rhythm (Big Band / Swing) to B.B. King and Muddy Waters (Blues). If you haven't heard of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, I definitely suggest you look up their story and see a video. We also enjoyed making a Mississippi Mud Pie, because dessert is a fun way to learn about new places!

Books:

• Who Was Ida B. Wells? By Sarah Fabiny

• Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School by Janet Halfmann

• Leaving Lymon by Lesa Cline-Ransome

• Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom by Tim Tingle

• Mississippi (My United States: A True Book) by Jennifer Zeiger

• Steamboats: The Story of Lakers, Ferries, and Majestic Paddle-Wheelers by Karl Zimmermann

• Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets by Kathleen Krull

• Daddy Played the Blues by Michael Garland

• Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King by Bonnie Christensen

• Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans

• Freedom School, Yes! By Amy Littlesugar

• Monday on the Mississippi by Marilyn Singer

• When Grandmama Sings by Margaree King Mitchell

• The Secret World of Walter Anderson by Hester Bass

• Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hammer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford

• The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton

• The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr Eccentric Genius by Jan Greenberg

• Fannie Lou Hamer by Sandra Donovan

• Steamboat! The Story of Captain Blanche Leathers by Judith Gilliland

• M is for Magnolia: A Mississippi Alphabet by Michael Shoulders

Art Project:

Magnolia flowers from the Magnolia State

The kids decided to depict Magnolia flowers to represent Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Made using sharpie, oil pastel, and watercolor. 

Minnesota

 For Minnesota we really enjoyed learning about the native peoples and culture of the region (which we started a bit in Michigan which is conveniently geographically as well as alphabetically proximate). We also enjoyed listening to music of Bob Dylan and Prince, and reading about Charles Schulz (Peanuts creator). 

Books:

• V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin

• Minnesota (A True Book: My United States) by Martin Schwabacher

• Secrets of the Loon by Laura Purdie Salas

• When Bob Met Woody: The Story of the Young Bob Dylan by Gary Golio

• The Sacred Harvest: Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering (We Are Still Here : Native Americans Today) by Gordon Regguinti

• Sky Sisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose

• Morning on the Lake by Jan Bourdeau Waboose 

• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

• A Different Pond by Bao Phi

• Hannah’s Way by Linda Glaser

• A Library Story by Jennifer Vogel

• Kirsten American Girl books

• The Sioux by Donna Bowman

• Prince by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vergara

• Born to Draw Comics: The Story of Charles Schulz and the Creation of Peanuts by Ginger Wadsworth

Art Project:

Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

For Minnesota, the kids chose to depict the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. They really enjoyed exploring the sculptures online. The media used are sharpie, oil pastel, and water color as usual. 

Michigan

 For Michigan we really enjoyed learning about the Great Lakes, and also had a lot of fun learning about and listening to Motown music. 

Books:

• Hammerin’ Hank by Yona McDonough

• Magic Trash: The Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art  by J.H. Shapiro

• Melody American Girl books

• We’ll Race You, Henry by Barbara Mitchell

• Rhythm Ride by Andrea Davis Pinkney

• The Making of Motown by Rebecca Rowell

• Great Lakes by Annalise Bekkering

• The Ojibwe: The Past and Present of the Anishinaabe by Alesha Halvorson

• The Chippewa (The Ojibwe) by Tamra B. Orr

• Rosie: A Detroit Herstory by Bailey Sisoy Isgro

• M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet by Annie Appleford

• Michigan (A True Book: My United States) by Josh Gregory

• Jam and Jelly by Holly and Nellie by Gloria Whelan

• Bernida: A Michigan Sailing Legend by Gloria Whelan, Al Declercq, Tom Ervin

• A wizard from the start : the incredible boyhood & amazing inventions of Thomas Edison by Don Brown

• Who Was Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Frith

• Little Stevie Wonder by Quincy Troupe

• Who is Stevie Wonder by Jim Gigliotti

• Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz

• Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly by Walter Dean Myers

• Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling’

• We Are The Supremes by Zoë Tucker

• The Great Lakes by Patricia Kummer

Art Project:

Lake Superior Coastline, Michigan

Since Michigan is surrounded by Great Lakes, they were an obvious source for art work but that still left lots of options. Ultimately the kids decided to depict the forrested coastline of Lake Superior. They were inspired by images from Isle Royale National Park and Pictured Rock National Shoreline. Materials: Oil pastel, sharpie, and lots of water color. 

Massachusetts

We had a seemingly endless supply of books about Massachusetts, so it took longer than most other states (other than CA), perhaps because we adults already have enough background to know what to look for since we lived there previously. The kids were likewise delighted to study a place they remember fondly. Some favorite activities included baking a Boston Cream Pie, watching this video of a modern Wampanoag recreation of ocean canoeing from the mainland to Martha's Vineyard, and a virtual field trip video from Plimoth Plantation.

Books:

• M is for Mayflower: A Massachusetts Alphabet by Margot Theis Raven

• Massachusetts (A True Book: My United States) by Cody Crane

• Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition (We Are Still Here) by Russell M. Peters

• Colonial Voices: Hear them Speak by Kay Winters

• Paul Revere’s Ride: The Landlord’s Tale (the poem by Longfellow, illustrated by Charles Santore)

• Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride by Stephen Krensky

• Leaders Like Us: Rebecca Lee Crumpler by J.P. Miller

• A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phyllis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky

• On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson by Jennifer Berne

• Leave It To Abigail: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams by Barb Rosenstock

• What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett 

• Dropping In On Boston

• Who Was Clara Barton? By Stephanie Spinner

• Clara and Davie by Patricia Polacco

• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

• Here Come the Humpbacks! By April Pulley Sayre

• A Picture Book of John F. Kennedy by David Adler

• The Brothers Kennedy: John, Robert, Edward by Kathleen Krull

• Who Was John F. Kennedy? By Yona Z. McDonough

• Windows by Julia Denos

• Dario and the Whale by Cheryl Lawton Malone

• Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon by Annette Bay Pimentel

• The Boston Tea Party  by Russell Freedman

• Emily Writes by Jane Yole

• Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson

• The Midnight Ride of Flat Revere by Kate Egan

• The Salem Witch Trials by Kristin Marciniak

• Sarah Morton’s Day by Kate Waters

• She Caught the Light by Kathryn Lasky

• Squanto’s Journey by Joseph Bruchac

• You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Mayflower! By Peter Cook

• The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come by Sue Macy

• Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge by Carrie Clickard

Art Project:

Boston Duck Pond / Public Garden

While there were lots of potential art ideas for MA, the kids had no question - they were sure they wanted to do the duck pond in the Public Garden. Oil pastel, sharpie, and water color, as usual.

Maryland

 For our Maryland studies we really enjoyed learning about the biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay and also learning about some really important historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, and Thurgood Marshall.

Books:

• Voices from the Underground Railroad by Kay Winters

• A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley, Amy Nathan

• Maryland (A True Book: My United States) by Vicky Franchino

• B is for Blue Crab: A Maryland Alphabet by Shirley C. Menendez

• Assateague: Island of Wild Ponies by Andrea Jauck and Larry Points

• Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

• The Flag Maker by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

• By the Dawn's Early Light: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner by Steven Kroll

• Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth by Robert Burleigh

• Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares

• Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome

• Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Z. McDonough

• Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass by Lesa Cline-Ransome

• Who Was Frederick Douglass? By April Prince

• Thurgood by Jonah Winter

• Aunt Flossie’s Hats by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard

• Ticktock Banneker's Clock by Shana Keller

• Sweet Dreams Chesapeake Bay by Adriane Doherty

• Chesapeake Bay Wetlands by William Rice

• Miss Etta and Dr. Claribel: Bringing Matisse to America by Susan Fillion

• Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas by Gwendolyn Hooks

Art Project:

Baltimore Orioles

The kids decided to depict Baltimore orioles (the state bird). on a white oak tree (state tree) branch. Multimedia: sharpie outlines, oil pastels, plus watercolor for the oriole's orange ombre and sky background.