Institute for Excellence in Writing Review

Over the past few years, my kids have received instruction from various co-op teachers who used Institute for Excellence in Writing.  I have always enjoyed seeing how much they learn through these classes and have, without hesitation, recommended this program to others.  Imagine how excited I was to receive the following two items in the mail.  They were all mine.
Teaching Writing: Structure and Style DVD Seminar with Seminar Workbook

Student Writing Intensive Level B

The Student Writing Intensive came with a 3-ring binder with labeled dividers, 4 student DVDs and a DVD for the teacher that is an overview of the program, and a packet of instructions and handouts.  As Paige watched Mr. Pudewa instruct in the DVDs, she followed along with her binder.  I would give her the handout he was working with at the time which she would put into the binder along with a piece of notebook paper.  As they worked through the keyword outline (finding 3 words per sentence that she could use to rewrite the sentence), she would write while she listened, often pausing so that she could create her own outline.  When the DVD class wrote their stylistic techniques, Paige wrote them down, and she followed along while writing her banned words.

Included in the packet is a suggested course schedule, which we followed for the most part.  If I felt Paige was able to understand how to do something and had practiced a good bit with it, I chose not to do the extra practice.  Perhaps I should have had her do it all; it would only help her become a better writer.  The course is very clear that the resources used in the program can be substituted with other resources of your choosing.

A full schedule is available, but each lesson is broken down even further with the disc times, chapter title, handouts needed, and reinforcement materials.  I appreciated the way the lessons were written out.  They tell you exactly when to stop the DVD since there are no chapter breaks in it.  The outlines completed on the DVD are printed on the lesson pages.  There are also composition checklists for the student to use to be sure s/he is including all required elements.

Once the student has had ample time to practice how to create keyword outlines by finding the 3 key words in each sentence of the article/paragraph provided and rewriting the article using their outline, they are taught how to dress up their own writing by using various words such as which and who, -ly words, strong verbs, etc.  There is so much good information provided that I myself have incorporated some of these tips into my own writing.

The Student Writing Intensive Level B is geared toward students in 6-8 grades and sells for $109.00.  Level A  is suggested for grades 3-5 and is the same price.  Level C is for grades 9-12.

The other product, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, is purely for the teacher/parent.  The product that I received, which includes 10 DVDs and the seminar workbook, sells for $169.00.  Each component can be purchased separately ($145 for the DVDs or $35 for the workbook).  They can also be purchased in combination with any level of the Student Writing Intensive for $299.

Just like the Student Writing Intensive, TWSS comes with a 3-ring binder, labeled dividers, and all of the worksheets to follow along with Mr. Pudewa in the DVDs.  There are 6 DVDs which teach on the 9 units (10 hours of viewing time), a tips and tricks DVD, and 3 workshop DVDs at the different grade levels.  The units are:

1.  Note Making and Outlines

2.  Summarizing from Notes

3.  Summarizing Narrative Stories

4.  Summarizing References

5.  Writing from Pictures

6.  Library Research Reports

7.  Creative Writing

8.  Essay Writing

9.  Critiques

In both products' DVDs, I have come to truly appreciate Andrew Pudewa's humility, knowledge, and humor.  Paige didn't really like his jokes very much, but I did and often found myself laughing as I listened to him.  I walked past him at the FPEA Convention.  I called Paige right away to tell her, but she wasn't as excited as I thought she'd be.  Kids will be kids, I suppose.

Mr. Pudewa truly loves his job and wants to help kids become better writers.  With the step-by-step training I've received through these videos, I, too, can help my kids to become better writers.  I have information that will help me teach them through all of the different styles, and I also have learned how to grade the writing with checksheets provided at the end of each unit.  He encourages us teachers to focus on the task at hand, in this case, writing, and not correcting, say, handwriting at the same time.  We want the kids to be able to focus on writing and not end up disliking it because there was so much criticism in other areas at the same time.  

Goals, recommended materials, the teaching procedure, and adjustment recommendations for each grade level are provided in each unit (when applicable).  

A lot of samples written by other children are included.  Another thing I appreciate is that the essay unit shows what footnotes and bibliographies should look like.

The end of the workbook says, "This workbook contains a lot of information.  Naturally, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.  Relax.  Go back and review the beginning ideas..."  I concur.  There is a lot of information, almost too much to grasp with one run through.  I am thankful I have my own copy and can go back to it again and again.

Summer Series: The 50 States - Arizona

ARIZONA

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Today, we will learn about the 48th state admitted to the union - Arizona.  It is located in the southwestern United States and shares a corner with Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.  You can even stand in all four states at one time if you travel to "Four Corners" where lies a granite and brass pad on which is inscribed the names of the four states.  Four Corners is situated in Navajo Nation, a region of Arizona that is dedicated to the Navajo Indian Tribe.  There are 22 federally recognized Native American tribes and communities living in Arizona today such as the Hopi, Yavapai-Prescott, Yavapai-Apache, Hualapai, Havasupai, and the Tohono O'odham.  The name, Arizona, has at least three proposed origins, all from various Indian languages.  One is the word "arizuma" from the Aztec language meaning "silver-bearing."  The word "Aleh-zone" means small spring and comes from the Tohono O'odham language.  The other possibility is that it comes from the Pima Indian word, "Ali shonak" which means small spring, as well.

The postal abbreviation for Arizona is AZ.  It will be a challenge to remember the abbreviations for all of the states that start with A and M, especially, since there are so many.  Let's review: Alabama is AL, Alaska is AK, and Arizona is AZ.

Arizona's state flag is seen below.  The lower half is blue, and the upper half is divided into 13 yellow and red segments (6 yellow, 7 red).  The copper-colored star in the center is representative of Arizona being the largest producer of copper in the U.S.  Blue and yellow are the colors of Arizona, and red and yellow are the colors of the Spanish Conquistadores of Coronado who came to Arizona in the mid 1500s.  The flag was adopted on February 17, 1917.

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The area of land that became New Mexico and Arizona was ceded (given up) to the U.S. by Mexico in 1848 as a result of the Treaty of Hidalgo after the Mexican-American War.  The Gadsden Purchase, which was finalized in 1854, added a bit more land below the Gila River in the New Mexico Territory. Arizona became a territory in its own right in 1863 when the New Mexico territory was divided, and Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912.  (What holiday is this?)

Arizona's capital is Phoenix.  It is believed that a man named Darrell Duppa suggested a new city would rise "phoenix-like" from the ruins of a previous civilization.  (Why did he say this?  Research the origin of Phoenix.)

Arizona's state motto is "God enriches." To figure out what the state nickname is, decipher the code on the activity sheet after you are finished reading.  The state bird is the Cactus wren, and the flower is the Saguaro Cactus Blossom.  This flower is protected, so harming it in any way is illegal.  The flower blooms in May and June and only survives 18 hours during which time it is pollinated by bats and moths.  The state tree of Arizona is the Palo Verde.

The Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake is the state reptile, and the Arizona Tree Frog is the state amphibian.  There have been many dinosaur fossils found in Arizona including Coelophysis and Dilophosaurus, but the state fossil is petrified wood.  The Petrified Forest is located in northeastern Arizona and is run by the National Park Service.  Arizona possesses a plethora of parks and sites of interest, making it a superb vacation destination.  

One of the most amazing sites in Arizona (in my opinion) and one of the seven wonders of the natural world is the Grand Canyon.  It is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide and one mile deep in spots.  There are a number of lodging facilities on the rim of the Canyon.  TIP: If you are planning a vacation and desire to stay in one of these lodges, plan at least one year out as they fill up fast.  There are places to stay a little further out that are nice as well.  Plan to take a jacket in the evening, as the wind makes it chilly.  At different points along the rim, there are paths leading down into the Canyon.  Just remember, whatever goes down must come up.

Sedona is a small but extremely beautiful town less than two hours drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  It is well worth the visit.  I think I enjoyed it more than the Canyon.  As you drive to Sedona, you drive through a canyon with tall rock formations towering above you, and the rocks are a vibrant red.

 Other sites of interest are Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park which is one of the most widely photographed areas in the U.S. with its crimson mesas and sandstone formations.  Prescott is a town replete with Victorian homes and old saloons of a bygone era.  There is a real Wild West feel in Prescott.  Bisbee, Arizona, is home to Copper Queen Mine where, in a century of mining, $6.1 billion (1975 valuation) worth of copper has been extracted.  The mine closed in 1975 but is open for tours nowadays.  The Painted Desert is found in Arizona as is Tombstone, famous for the gunfight at the OK Corral.  (Who was involved in this fight, and how long did it last?)

Half of the Hoover Dam is located in Arizona (the other half in Nevada).  If you travel east on the Hoover Dam Access Road from Nevada, you cross the state line in the middle of the Dam.  In 2010, a bypass road was created to avoid the traffic jams that were caused by tourists driving, pedestrians walking, and regular traffic including semi-trucks.  Learn about the history and tour options here.

Hoover Dam Bypass - under construction

Hoover Dam from top of parking garage

Some famous Arizonans are Cochise, an Apache Indian Chief who attacked soldiers, starting a 10-year war with settlers in the region in 1862.  Geronimo was another Apache Chief who surrendered to U.S. troops in 1886 after years of war.  Linda Ronstadt is a singer who was popular in the 1970s.  Also popular in the '70s was Lynda Carter who played Wonder Woman on TV.  Kerri Strug is a gymnast from Tucson who won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games.  (Who else can you find?)

The weather in Arizona is quite varied.  There is desert, and there are mountains; so there is heat, and there is snow.  The record high temperature for Arizona of 128 degrees Fahrenheit was set on June 29, 1994.  The record low was -40 degrees Fahrenheit, set on January 7, 1971.

Download the code activity sheet.

I have found a wide variety of resources about Arizona at ChristianBook.com.  I am an affiliate, so I will provide the links to their website for the products; but most, if not all, can be found elsewhere.

Arizona Big Activity Book, Grades K-5 By Gallopade International This BIG activity book has a wide range of reproducible activities that will entice any child to learn more about their state! Activities touch on history, geography, people, places, fictional characters, animals, holidays, festivals, legends, lore and much, much more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades K-5; ages 6-12.      $9.19.

Arizona Coloring Book, Grades PreK-3 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International This coloring book is loaded with value. Original art of Arizona characters and scenes add fun to education. 24 pages. Grades PreK-3.  $3.95.

Arizona Jeopardy, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Modeled after the popular TV game show; features "categories" like state History, Geography, Exploration, People, Statehood, State Attractions, and lots more. Each category lists educational and entertaining answers-the student gives the correct question. Includes approximately 30 categories and 150 Q & A. Kids love the Jeopardy style format! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.  $7.79.

Arizona State History In a Nutshell - PDF Download [Download] By Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout / Knowledge Box Central Get to know your home state! Comprehensive state history lapbook resources from Knowledge Box Central are designed so that children of all ages can study together. Explore state symbols, songs and landmarks, famous people, geographical regions, timelines of historical events, and more. The included state-specific study guide provides background information, history, and other factual information; this study guide is the same for both lapbook (Grades K-8) and lapbook journal (Grades 6-12) students, so that the parent only needs to go over the information once. This lapbook includes a list of all the supplies needed if following the included base guide. Blackline masters are provided for students to cut out and paste into their lapbook, while a photo of a finished lapbook provides a visual example. This Lapbook is structured for use with K-8th Grade Students. Get started on your lapbook immediately with this PDF Download.  $4.39.

Arizona Wildlife By Independent Publishers Group Arizona Wildlife, An Introduction to Familiar Species, is a must-have reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you are on a nature hike or taking a stroll in your neighborhood, you will want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The Pocket Naturalist series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map identifying prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability. (31/2 X 81/4 folded, opens to 22 X 81/4, color illustrations, map)  $5.36.

Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice: Episode 3 DVD, Awesome Science Series By New Leaf Publishing Group Traveling is even better when you discover the evidence of biblical history and truth along the way! Hosted by 14-year-old, homeschooled, Noah Justice, his fresh approach to science and the Bible will get you more excited about the truth with each episode of Awesome Science. 30 minutes on DVD. Kids & Teens. Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest (Awesome Science Episode 3) will discuss the wonders of two of Arizona's most famous geologic sites.  $11.99.

Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice: Episode 3 Study Guide, Awesome Science Series By Master Books This study guide accompanies the sold-separately Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice Episode 3 DVD. A variety of follow-up activities are provided, including word-bank sentence-completions, discussion questions, bonus activities, true/false, and other exercises. Some brief content reminders are also included. 34 pages, magazine style binding.  $3.49.

Explore the Grand Canyon with Noah Justice: Episode 1 DVD, Awesome Science Series By New Leaf Publishing Group Traveling is even better when you discover the evidence of biblical history and truth along the way! Hosted by 14-year-old, homeschooled, Noah Justice, his fresh approach to science and the Bible will get you more excited about the truth with each episode of Awesome Science. 30 minutes on DVD. Kids & Teens. Explore the Grand Canyon (Awesome Science Episode 1) will discuss: How the Grand Canyon was cut in just days, not millions of years How its massive layers show evidence of being laid down in less than a year The Biblical record can be trusted as Earth's history book.  $11.99.

Explore The Grand Canyon with Noah Justice: Episode 1 Study Guide, Awesome Science Series By Master Books This study guide accompanies the sold-separately Explore the Grand Canyon with Noah Justice Episode 1 DVD. A variety of follow-up activities are provided, including word-bank sentence-completions, discussion questions, bonus activities, true/false, and other exercises. Some brief content reminders are also included. 34 pages, magazine style binding. $3.49.

Geronimo: Wolf of the Warpath By Ralph Moody / Sterling Publishing When the Mexicans first took the Apaches as slaves, they made a grave mistake in more ways than one. Hounded by men who could track them, kill, outwit, and quickly escape, the Mexicans moved farther and farther away from the Apache villages, only to find them coming just as close. Geronimo grew up as the grandson of a chief, a boy who would hunt and practice his skills all day. A legendary man who was feared and respected, Geronimo defeated and eluded the soldiers of two nations for more than 25 years. 184 pages, softcover. $5.99.  For ages 12-15.

Grand Canyon: Testimony to the Biblical Account of Earth's History DVD By Dr. Andrew Snelling / Answers In Genesis Grand Canyon offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in the world, but did the tiny Colorado River really carve this massive feature? Evolutionary thinking about Grand Canyon requires the passage of millions of years. Dr. Andrew Snelling uses diagrams, beautiful photographs of the canyon, and his first-hand knowledge to dismantle this story. Using the biblical flood as his starting point, he shows how Grand Canyon bears testimony to rapid erosion as a result of the waters left behind by the global flood. This DVD is suitable for adults and teens. Approx. 72 minutes. $9.99.

The Hoover Dam: The Story of Hard Times, Tough People and the Taming of a Wild River By Elizabeth Mann / Firefly Books LTD They called the river the Red Bull. Desert silt gave the Colorado its distinctive color, but it was its power and unpredictability that made its fierce reputation. Speeding down from the high Rockies, the Colorado would flood without warning, wiping out any farmer foolish enough to settle near its banks. But what if the Red Bull could be tamed? Farmlands irrigated by the Colorado's waters could bloom in the desert. Cities electrified by the Colorado's power could grow and prosper. The Hoover Dam grew from this dream and with it much of the modern American west. Built in the middle of The Great Depression, the Hoover Dam was set in an unforgiving landscape whose climate defied habitation much less intense, backbreaking physical labor. Yet, during those hard times and in that desolate place, there rose an extraordinarily sophisticated feat of modern engineering. The Hoover Dam is the dramatic story of the danger, suffering, courage and genius that went into the building of one of America's most famous landmarks. $20.66.

A Possum's Wild West and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral By Jamey M. Long / Tate Publishing Young Children's Book $7.19.

Five Planners and a Giveaway

Are you looking for a way to organize your 2013-2014 school year?  

SchoolhouseTeachers.com has several planners available.  They are available for FREE to SchoolhouseTeachers.com members.  A membership is $3 for the first month and then $12.95 per month thereafter.  If you are not a member, the planners can be purchased individually.

Each of the planners can be viewed here.

The Schoolhouse Planner is 800 pages and includes useful forms and lists like a periodic table of elements, books of the Bible, and grammar rules, to name a few.   There is a section on financial stewardship, health forms, gift giving records, chore charts, car maintenance, etc.  There are even recipes and grocery and menu planning lists.  If you want to purchase this book, it is $39.00 but, again, it is free for SchoolhouseTeachers.com members.

The Special Learners Schoolhouse Planner is a resource for the parent who is homeschooling a special learner.  There are helpful articles, calendars, and planning pages.  Individualized IEP forms and medical and therapy forms are available.  Weekly food and behavior diaries are also included.  This book sells for $29.00.

The Primary Planner is 245 pages of helpful articles, lists of all sorts, and experiments.  Organizational forms include things like a chore list, a family tree, and a Bible reading schedule.  Homeschool forms include weekly planning forms, to-do lists, reading lists, field trip logs, nature journal pages, book report forms, and more.  This book is only $9.95.




At 345 pages, the intermediate planner is chock full of lists about presidents, famous artists, famous composers, branches of government, inventions, scientists, books of the Bible, miracles of Jesus, etc.  The homeschool forms include calendars, reading lists, grading sheets, "Classes I'd Like to Create," research paper forms, lined writing papers, vocabulary study sheets, and so on.  Organizational forms include daily schedules, sports teams records, "People I'd Like to Learn More About," Bible reading schedule, etc.  This sells for $19.00.

The biggest individual planner is the high school planner with 401 pages.  It sells for $29.00.  It includes articles such as "Six Easy Steps to Start a Microbusiness."  A lot of the same lists are included as the with the "Must Know Lists," but there are some new ones.  The biggest section is the Homeschool Forms.  There are forms for high school credits and transcript, a high school plan, college planning and prep, financial aid forms, community service logs, etc.  Another section of lists is included for the student with things such as "Places I've Visited," "Family Rules," "Daily Food and Exercise Log."  Bible and religious forms and blog post ideas are also available to the student in this planner.  

Remember that all of these planners are available for FREE to any SchoolhouseTeachers.com members.

I am having a giveaway from now until July 14th.  Simply follow the instructions below.  The winner will receive the 800-page Schoolhouse Planner and his/her choice of Special Learners, Primary, Intermediate, and High School.

As a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I have been given membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com, which includes access to the Schoolhouse Planners. I am also an affiliate with SchoolhouseTeachers.com.

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Summer Series: The 50 States - Alaska

 ALASKA

Located in the most northwesterly corner of the United States, lies the largest state in the U.S. - Alaska (postal abbrevation: AK).  This vast tract of land was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, or just two cents an acre.  The acquisition was arranged by the U.S. Secretary of State William Seward.  Despite the seemingly low price, it was known as "Seward's Folly" because many critics believed this land had absolutely nothing to offer, at least until 1896.  It was at this time when three men discovered gold in Rabbit Creek in Yukon Territory.  This discovery began the Klondike Gold Rush which lasted through 1899 and brought more than 30,000 men in search of fortune.  One of the most famous prospectors in Alaska was a man named Joe Juneau.  The capital city of Juneau was named after him.

Alaska's State Flag

The word, Alaska, comes from an Aleut Indian word meaning great land or mainland and is written as "Aleyska," "alaxsxaq," or "agunalaksh."  This land became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.  There were an estimated 731,449 people living here in 2012, making it the 48th most populous state.

Alaska has two nicknames.  One is "The Last Frontier."  The other is "Land of the Midnight Sun."  This latter name would be because, for almost three months, there is continuous daylight.  The state motto is "North to the Future."  The Willow ptarmigan is the state bird, and the moose is the state land mammal.

The state flower is the Forget-Me-Not, and the tree is the Sitka spruce.  The four-spot skimmer dragonfly is the state insect.  Several dinosaur fossils have been discovered in Alaska such as Albertosaurus, Ankylosaur, and Pachycephalosaurus. The state fossil is the Woolly Mammoth.

Of course, the state mineral is gold, since so much has been found there.  The state sport is dog mushing, which has become a huge sport with nationwide coverage.  The major race is called the Iditarod.  This race began in 1973 as a commemoration of the race against time in 1925.  Children in Nome, Alaska, were very sick and needed serum to heal them.  A string of mushers and dogs rode out to obtain the serum and rode back in time to save the children.  The first race started with 35 men, but only 22 finished.  The winner finished the race in 20 days.  Today, it takes between 9 and 17 days to run more than 1150 miles and takes place the first weekend in March.  The path extends from Anchorage to Nome.  Teams of 12-16 dogs are used, the most common dog being the Alaskan Husky.

If you are interested in learning more about the Iditarod and the dogs, as well as playing some games online, visit the Iditarod website.

Alaska can be a dangerous place to live due to the weather and the terrain.  A record low was set of -80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Much of the land is covered by ice, and the snow storms make driving extremely difficult.  There are shows like Ice Road Truckers which show what life is like for drivers of Semi Trucks in the Alaskan Wilderness.  Alaska has 17 of the 20 tallest mountains in the United States, including Mt. McKinley which is the tallest at 20,320 feet.

There are several people from Alaska, either being born here or moving here for some period of time during their lives, who have a claim to fame.  Joe Reddington, Sr., is known as the Father of the Iditarod.  It was this man who created the race and who funded it during its first year.  A famous pop singer, Jewel, moved to Homer, Alaska, with her parents when she was young, and Irene Bedard is known as the voice of Disney's Pocahontas.  One of the most famous people with a tie to Alaska is Jack London.  He was an early 20th century writer who spent time searching for gold in the Klondike region.  He wrote The Call of the Wild and White Fang after spending some time in this wilderness.

Click here for an Alaskan word search.

Finally, here are some resources that might be of interest to you as you study Alaska.  (Christianbook.com does not have pictures to go with some of these resources.)

Stampede for Gold: The Story of the Klondike Rush By Pierre Berton / Sterling Publishing When news of a gold strike in the Yukon Territory got around, it set of a frenzied rush of men seeking their fortunes. Leaving their families behind, thousands of men arrived in Canada, but only a few left with a profit. 164 pages, indexed, softcover.  $5.99.

The Call of the Wild By Jack London / Dover Publications A classic novel of adventure, drawn from London's own experiences as a Klondike adventurer, relating the story of a heroic dog, who, caught in the brutal life of the Alaska Gold Rush, ultimately faces a choice between living in man's world and returning to nature.  Just $1.69.

Mush! The Sled Dogs of the Iditarod By Joe Funk / Scholastic Trade 48 pages, $4.49

The Great Alaska Adventure! By Jeff Corwin / Puffin Books Pages: 96, $4.49.

It Happened in Alaska By Globe Pequot From the gold rush to Tinglit potlatches to the Alaska Reindeer Project, It Happened in Alaska offers a unique look at intriguing icons and episodes from the history fo the last frontier.  Pages: 192.  $10.99.

Alaska My First Book, Grades K-5 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International An "early bird" intro to basic state facts. Covers state basics such as state nickname, seal, song, bird, motto, flag, regions, industries, neighbors, and weather, plus an intro to state history, people and more. Includes: drawing, mazes, matching, coloring, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states. Grades K-5; ages 5-10.  Retails for $7.79.

Alaska Jeopardy, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Modeled after the popular TV game show; features "categories" like state History, Geography, Exploration, People, Statehood, State Attractions, and lots more. Each category lists educational and entertaining answers-the student gives the correct question. Includes approximately 30 categories and 150 Q & A. Kids love the Jeopardy ,style format! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.  Retails for $7.79

Alaska Big Activity Book, Grades K-5 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International This BIG activity book has a wide range of reproducible activities that will entice any child to learn more about their state! Activities touch on history, geography, people, places, fictional characters, animals, holidays, festivals, legends, lore and much, much more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades K-5; ages 6-12.  Retails for $9.19.

Alaska State History In a Nutshell - PDF Download [Download] By Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout / Knowledge Box Central This retails for $4.39.

Summer Series: The 50 States - Alabama

Today begins a summer series on the 50 U.S. States.  I will go in alphabetical order and cover such things as motto, capital, state bird, etc.  I will also find some famous individuals from each state and provide other resources for further learning.  Let's begin with...

ALABAMA

On December 12, 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state.  As of March 28, 2012, there were over 4.8 million people living here.  It is located in the southeastern United States between Georgia and Mississippi and lying directly north of the panhandle of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.  By area, Alabama ranks 30th in size. (There are 29 states that are larger.)

The state abbreviation is AL, and the capital is Montgomery.  This city became the capital in 1846 when the Alabama Legislature voted to change the capital city from Tuscaloosa.  It was named after General Richard Montgomery, who died in the Revolutionary War.

Alabama's flag is a white background with a crimson cross of St. Andrew.  The state bird is the Yellowhammer, also called the Northern Flicker.  The Monarch Butterfly is the state insect, and the Black Bear is the state mammal.

The Camellia is the Alabama state flower, and the Southern Long Leaf Pine is the tree.

Alabama's state motto is "We Dare Maintain Our Rights."  The words were taken from a 1781 poem and used to replace the first motto, "Here We Rest."  Alabamans felt this new motto reflected their spirit more appropriately.

Alabama also has a state reptile, the Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, and a state amphibian, the Red Hills Salamander.  There is no official state nickname, but it is often referred to as "The Heart of Dixie."  "Dixie" is said to have originated with an 1859 song which was popular with Confederate soldiers.

There are a few famous Alabamans I will mention here.  The first is Booker T. Washington.  He was an African-American man who founded the Tuskegee Institute.  He educated fellow African-Americans and taught them the benefits of labor and that it is necessary for one to learn a trade.  He focused on agricultural sciences.  Peanuts , cotton, and corn are major agricultural products in Alabama.

John Allan Wyeth is another famous Alabaman.  He founded the first postgraduate school of medicine in the United States.  Up until this point, doctors had no practical experience; everything they knew came from books.  Wyeth believed doctors needed to have more experience in the field, so he opened the New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital.

The third man I will mention was not born in Alabama, and he only spent a few years in the state; but he left a lasting impression.  This man has a college football trophy named after him - the Heisman Trophy.  John Heisman coached at the Agricultural and Mechanical College from 1895 to 1899.  This school is now Auburn University.  Heisman is credited with the hand off, the double lateral, and the "flea flicker."  He invented the center-to-quarterback snap so that the ball wouldn't simply roll across the field from the center to the quarterback. He also is credited with using the word "hike" in football.

The state song of Alabama is, of course, "Alabama."  There is another song called "Stars Fell on Alabama" based on a meteor shower in November 12, 1833.  The shower was so incredible that it became a part of the state's folklore.  A book was also written with the same title by Carl Carmen in 1934.

Click here for a crossword puzzle about Alabama that can be printed out.

I hope you have enjoyed a brief tour of Alabama in fact and history.  Here are some other resources in case you are interested in learning more:

Alabama Biography Bingo By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Must know state facts for kids to learn while having fun! Includes: Statehood Date, State Name Origin, Capital City, State Flag, State Motto, State Bird, State Population, Economy, Media, Governor, Explorers, Native Peoples, Current Events and more! Each game includes 36 different playing cards.

Alabama Survivor, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Do your students complain they're hounded by history, jumped on by geography, or suffocated by social studies? Divide your class into two "Team Smart" groups and pit them against one another in a rip-roarin' laughter fest of tornado-fast true and false, hair,raising history timelines, mad-dog matching, chilling charts, cranium-crushing crosswords, quicksand quagmires of question and answer fun-ALL TIMED! Grades 3,8; ages 8-14.

Alabama My First Book, Grades K-5 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International An "early bird" intro to basic state facts. Covers state basics such as state nickname, seal, song, bird, motto, flag, regions, industries, neighbors, and weather, plus an intro to state history, people and more. Includes: drawing, mazes, matching, coloring, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states. Grades K-5; ages 5-10.

Let's Discover Alabama CD-ROM, Grades 2-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Interactive CD-ROM with lots of fun facts for kids to learn about their state. Includes: government, state symbols, a timeline, geography, civics, nickname, landmarks, parks, schools, historical places, and more. Each of four sections is completed with a quizzing game and rewards. Also includes a FREE printed reproducible quiz. Grades 2-8

Alabama State History Lapbook - PDF Download [Download] By Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout / Knowledge Box Central Get to know your home state! Comprehensive state history lapbook resources from Knowledge Box Central are designed so that children of all ages can study together. Explore state symbols, songs and landmarks, famous people, geographical regions, timelines of historical events, and more. The included state-specific study guide provides background information, history, and other factual information; this study guide is the same for both lapbook (Grades K-8) and lapbook journal (Grades 6-12) students, so that the parent only needs to go over the information once. This lapbook includes a list of all the supplies needed if following the included base guide. Blackline masters are provided for students to cut out and paste into their lapbook, while a photo of a finished lapbook provides a visual example. This Lapbook is structured for use with K-8th Grade Students. Get started on your lapbook immediately with this PDF Download.