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.