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.