Our 50 States Lesson Book

Learn from East to West in this one-year geography course organized by 7 US geographical regions (including territories). Students will learn about culture, geography, songs, history and other distinctives. The hefty Our 50 States text highlights each state over two lessons. Did you know Indiana is famous for popcorn—or why Guam and Puerto Rico are US territories? You’ll spend about an hour daily with the 104 lessons (4-5 lessons per week). As students come across green highlighted location words, they’re encouraged to locate these on the text’s included basic map. Students will complete creative writing assignments (52 total) in their own notebook. It is inquiry-based learning with literature focus, and adaptable for multi-age learning. Has family fun projects that get everyone involved, and can customize to your family with versatile options. Hands-on, easy-to-follow activities use common house-hold items while each unit’s family activities require additional supplies and might include recipes (popcorn balls or pineapple pops), art projects, and more. These studies are enhanced with 7 engaging books that are each connected with a geographical region: Rabbit Hill, The Cabin Faced West, Soft Rain, The Story of George Washington Carver, The Trumpet of the Swan and The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver, and the 7th, Philip of Texas is a Notgrass reprint of a lovely 1913 book.

In addition, students can complete map activities in the 110-page Atlas Workbook (which reinforces a key geographic term and other chapter content with coloring and simple activities). The 45-page Lesson Review includes 103 5-question reviews and nine, 8-question tests over regions. These Review answers and reading book synopses (with potential questionable elements noted) are in the Answer Key and Literature Guide (19 pgs). You’ll find audio song files, additional reading options, activities, supply lists and more at notgrass.com/50links.