- Author:
- Allie Ezell
- Subject:
- Social Science, Political Science
- Material Type:
- Activity/Lab
- Level:
- Upper Primary
- Grade:
- 4, 5
- Tags:
- License:
- Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
- Language:
- English
- Media Formats:
- Downloadable docs, Interactive, Text/HTML, Video
Common Course Cartridge
50 Nifty United States
Overview
We live on the continent of North America in the country of the United States. There are 50 states in this great country and as citizens of the United States we should know what those states are. In this seminar you will learn the names and locations of all 50 states. Wow your friends and family with your geographical knowledge!
Standards
7.1.4.B Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human features.
Engage
Introductory warm-up activity
The picture below is a new state that has just joined our country! The state is looking for a way to introduce itself to the citizens of the United States. Write an Instagram caption that this state could post along with this picture to share information about what makes it special.
Created by Kelsey Kierce using Sketchpad
Explore
Read or watch the resources below to learn about the 50 states. Then, do the practice activity.
Pick one of the following activities to learn more information on the fifty states!
Read | Watch | Do |
Read about the different states with National Geographic Kids. | Learn the state names and locations through this song. What states were in the green colored section? | Use Quizlet to practice identifying the 50 states. |
What did you choose?
Explore More
Find facts about your state at USA for Kids.
Explore statistics about the states on the U.S. Census site.
Discover different facts about the states by watching this video..
Use Google Earth to find the locations of the 50 states.
State Names
Click on the names of states you would like to learn more about. Try to pick states you have never visited or know very little (if anything) about. On the next slide, you will be asked to compare two states, so you may want to keep that in mind as you explore!
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Explain
Discuss your ideas / opinions / understandings.
State 1 | Both | State 2 |
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Directions:
What differences exist between the location of states? Choose 2 states from the previous slide that you feel have several differences regarding their location in the U.S. Compare and contrast these two states. Create an AVID 3-Column Notes chart to compare the two states. Remember to write their similarities in the center column and their differences in the left and right columns.
Evaluate
Now it is time to self check how much you have learned about the 50 states. If you do not know as much as you thought, go back to the “Explore” section of this seminar and reread, rewatch, or redo the activities listed. See your facilitator if you have questions.
Directions:
Click here to take the quiz online. You do not have to log into the quiz site in order to take this quiz. If a window pops up asking you to sign up for the quiz site, just close the sign-up window and start your quiz.
Elaborate
This is a task or project where you can show what you know.
Directions:
Watch and listen to Fifty Nifty United States video. This is a song that was written to help students learn the names of the Fifty States.
Formulate your own device that will help other learners locate and name the 50 states on a map of the U.S. You can view the rubric for this project here.
Write an original song
Create a puzzle
Write a story
Create a video
After you create your device, practice using it. Does it help you recall the names and locations of the states?
Express
Complete this wrap-up activity where you reflect on your learning.
Write a paragraph to answer the following questions:
Why is it important to know the names and locations of the 50 states?
Do you think that everyone who lives in the United States can identify the location and name of each state? Why or why not?
Should each person that lives in the United States be required to name and locate all of the states? Why or why not?