50 States Project

Well, it's been a minute. When this blog was created I was young, single, and living on the east coast. Now I'm middle aged (?!!), married, with kids, and living back in CA...in the middle of a pandemic. So I'm not sure the blog's descriptor is really accurate, plus I haven't used it in years, but I've been encouraged to start again, and in particular to document a particular project we've embarked on. So here goes...

A few months back, together with a friend the kids and I embarked on a 50 states supplemental social studies project. The goal is this: 50 states, in alphabetical order, at a pace of one state every 2 weeks, so that in two years, when the kids start CA history we will have already learned about every state. We are learning about US and history and culture and so much more as this project gives us a chance to think about the stories we tell, as well as which ones are less known or discussed. We're trying to learn about indigenous groups in the states we study, as well as learning about various people and places from that state. We learn about nature in the state as well. For each state we check out a slew of books from the local public library (which thankfully re-opened for curbside pick up over the summer), and also look at photos and videos online, and we try to do some kind of hands on project as well. The kids are super excited about that part and decided early on it should include art for each state so that they can hold a "museum" for their grandparents and aunt at the end of all this.

In case you're interested in embarking on a similar journey here are some general resources and ideas we've been using:

• National Geographic Kids has a website with overview info for each state: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/states/
• We bought the book The 50 States by Gabrielle Balkan and read about each state in turn when we get to it.
• We read the relevant book for each state from the Discover America State-by-State Alphabet Series, either from our library or they are available on Epic (a kids reading app).
• Exploring the States book series (also available on Epic).
• We got a scratch off map of the United States to track our progress.
• We also got state coloring books.
• We listen to the song "The United States" from Wee Sing America - which is how I learned all the states when I was a kid. It's available on iTunes.
• At the end of our study, we pick two people to represent the state for our own National Statuary Hall (like in the US capitol). At the end of our whole project we will look at how our picks compare to the (much more white, much more male, much less diverse) real one in DC.

We're already on Florida, so this blog has some catching up to do look. Look here soon for more info on the states we've already done.

To be continued...