50 States: Minnesota

MINNESOTA

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Minnesota is located in the Midwest and is the nation's 32nd state.  It was granted statehood on May 11, 1858.  The postal abbreviation is MN.  The name comes from a Dakota Sioux word meaning "sky water."

Minnesota was explored by the French: Marquette, Joliet, Cavelier, and Sieur de la Salle.  The land was finally claimed for King Louis XIV in 1679.  After the Revolutionary War, the United States acquired the eastern part of Minnesota but did not control the northern or western parts.  As part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, western Minnesota became a part of the United States.  It was not until 1818 that Britain finally relinquished the northern part of Minnesota to the U.S.

The capital is St. Paul, and its nearest neighbor, Minneapolis, is the largest city in the state.  Together, they are referred to as the "Twin Cities."

Minnesota is a state whose economy is supported largely by farming.  Corn, soybeans, wheat, and dairy products are produced here, as well as paper products.  Mining is part of the economy with 75% of the nation's iron ore being found in this state.  Tourism is also important as millions of visitors come to Minnesota every year for the arts and outdoor activities.

There have been quite a few things invented in Minnesota including masking tape and scotch tape, Wheaties cereal, rollerblades, the stapler, the snowmobile, Bisquick, the bundt pan, Spam, and Green Giant vegetables.  Tonka trucks are made in Minnetonka.  Frank C. Mars first made Milky Way bars in 1923, Snickers in 1930, and Three Musketeers in 1937.  The first open heart surgery was performed at the University of Minnesota, as well as the first bone marrow transplant.  Greyhound Lines, Inc., began in 1914 under another name.  It was the first bus line in the nation.

Minnesota has at least three nicknames: Gopher State, North Star State, and Land of 10,000 Lakes.  The motto is "L'Etoile du Nord," which is French for "The Star of the North."  The state symbols are as follows:

Bird - Common loon

Insect - Monarch butterfly

Fish - Walleye

Flower - Pink and white lady's slipper

Tree - Norway Pine

Mushroom - Morel

Grain - Wild rice

Beverage - Milk

Muffin - Blueberry

I find it very interesting that MN has a state mushroom and muffin.

People who live in Minnesota are called Minnesotans.  Some famous people born here include various musicians, authors, and actors, including Eddie Cochran, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Bob Dylan.  Judy Garland, famous for The Wizard of Oz, was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  J. Paul Getty was president of the Getty Oil Company.  Garrison Keillor was born in Anoka in 1942 and is responsible for the radio program, A Prairie Home Companion.  Famous baseball player, Roger Maris, hit 61 home runs in 1961.  The creator of the Peanuts cartoon, Charles Schulz, was born in Minneapolis in 1922.  Richard W. Sears, the founder of Sears, Roebuck, and Co., lived from 1863 to 1914 and was born in Stewartville.  Toni Stone was the first female baseball player to play professional ball by joining the Negro Leagues.  Check out some of the other famous people born in Minnesota.

The flag of Minnesota was adopted in 1893 and has the state seal on it.  There is a farmer with a plow and an Indian riding a horse.  Ladyslippers surround them, and the state motto is displayed.  There are three dates listed on the flag: 1858, which is when MN became a state; 1819, which is when Fort Snelling was established, and 1893 when the flag was adopted.

Speaking of Fort Snelling, it is one of the many places to visit in Minnesota.  It is located where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet.  Other popular destinations include the Mall of America, which is 9.5 million square feet and includes 520 stores, 50 restaurants, an indoor theme park, an aquarium, a theater, and a Lego store; the state fair lasts 12 days from August through Labor Day; Valleyfair amusement park; the Minnesota Zoo; Glensheen Historic Estate; American Swedish Institute; Paul Bunyan Land; Forestville Mystery Cave State Park; and the Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove.  There are scores of national parks and ski resorts, zoos and museums.  The Minnesota Historic Society has a website that lists many of the historic sites in Minnesota.  I encourage you to check it out.  There are some interesting sites like the W.W. Mayo House.  Can you figure out what his claim to fame is?  No, it's not mayonnaise.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal has some online games about fire safety.

Play some state symbol games here.

The following list of resources comes from Christianbook.com.  I am an affiliate with christianbook.com.  If you choose to purchase any products through my blog, I will receive a commission.

State Shapes: Minnesota By Workman Publishing These colorful, fact-filled books are irresistible! Die-cut in the shape of the state, each one takes readers on a fascinating journey to visit intriguing places, meet famous and historic figures, learn about animals and wildlife, and experience the culture that makes each state unique. Packed with fun facts, exciting history, and fascinating folklore, State Shapes are illustrated with a warmth, humor, and flare that will appeal to kids and parents alike. Hardcover, 47 pages.

Minnesota Jography, Grades K-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Geography activities include information on rivers, museums, historic places, sites of interest, bordering states, climate, topography, crops, and more! Approximately 30 activities and 200 geography-related places and facts are covered. This book is filled with exercises that reinforce learning, sharpen research skills, and provide a lively resource about their state. Includes: Fast "Fax", word search, multiple choice, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

The Long Way Westward By Joan Sandin / HarperTrophy This lively sequel to The Long Way to a New Land follows the fortunes of Carl Erik's family from New York City to the farmlands of Minnesota.

The Long Way Westward Progeny Press Study Guide By Progeny Press Long Way Westward is the sequel to Long Way to a New Land. America is full of surprises. The streets are not paved with gold! Carl Erik and his family travel west on train after train to La Crosse, Wisconsin. From there, they travel by steamboat to Anoka, Minnesota, where their uncle lives and Papa has work. All the travel, the dangers, the crowds, and the cold are forgotten the moment they arrive. They're finally home! Progeny Press Study Guides provide teachers, parents, and students with literary analysis based upon the foundation of the Bible. Examining well-written literature in relation to biblical standards, students will develop and refine how they deal with man's philosophies while learning about the craft of writing. Progeny Press Study Guides deal with literature as works of art and philosophy as they explain and use literary terms; deal with plot construction; dig into character studies; and bring attention to themes and ideas the author has crafted. Easy-to-use lessons include vocabulary, comprehension, analysis and critical thinking exercises, questions on related Biblical principles, activities, and a complete answer key. 34 reproducible pages, paperback. Grades 1-3. Covers may vary.

States, Capitals & Abbreviations Set (Revised) By Learning Wrap Ups In most schools, fifth graders attempt to memorize the states and their capital cities. Why not take advantage of this wonderful learning tool that makes memorizing capital cities a breeze. As a bonus, it also covers the two letter postal abbreviations for all 50 states. Is MI the abbreviation for Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan, or Maine? States, Capitals, and Abbreviation Wrap-Ups will help so that you and your students will never wonder again. By the way, it's Michigan.

On the Banks of Plum Creek, Little House on the Prairie Series #4 By Laura Ingalls Wilder / Harpercollins Publishing Laura's family's first home in Minnesota is made of sod, but Pa builds a clean new house made of sawed lumber beside Plum Creek. The money for materials will come from their first wheat crop. Then, just before the wheat is ready to harvest, a strange glittering cloud fills the sky, blocking out the sun. Soon millions of grasshoppers cover the field and everything on the farm. In a week's time, there is no wheat crop left at all. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Peanuts Daybrightener By Charles Schulz / Dayspring Young and old alike will love this one-of-a-kind collection of Peanuts comic strips, including many original inspirational strips and Biblical Scriptures. Linus' Bible quotations and Christmas pageant fun combine to create a daily dose of joy! Free standing for table or desktop; 366 pages; wire coil; measures 5.25" x 4.25" x 1.5".

Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown By Charles M. Schulz / Running Press Kids Linus loves his blanket, always has, and he always will. It gives him a real security that nothing else does. Soon Linus' Grandma is coming to visit, and she wants to take his blanket away from him. See how difficult it is for Linus to shed his security blanket, and learn that everybody (including the rest of the Peanuts gang!) has something to help them feel more secure. An excellent gift for any child (or Charlie Brown fan) and features illustrations from the new television special!

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: With Sound and Music By Charles M. Schulz / Running Press Kids It's almost Easter, and Charlie Brown and his friends are all getting ready for it. Between mishaps with coloring eggs, Christmas decorations up early, and materialistic attitudes, it doesn't seem like anything will go right this Easter. But as Linus keeps reminding the others, just wait for the Easter beagle. Join Charlie Brown and his friends as they discover that even when it seems like everything is going wrong, it can change for the better in an instant! Featuring fun sound and music press buttons for added story effects!

Roger Maris: Baseball's Reluctant Hero - eBook By Tom Clavin & Danny Peary / Touchstone

The Great Gatsby, Reissue By F. Scott Fitzgerald / Scribner Gatsby's green light at the end of the dock has come to serve as a cultural and literary touchstone for the American dream. Following Nick Carraway's meeting and interaction with Gatsby as the latter attempts to win back the married Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby perfectly captures the air of jazz-age, post-war America as well as its empty consumerism and obsession with status. 180 pages, softcover.

The Great Gatsby Progeny Press Study Guide By Progeny Press The Great Gatsby takes place in the roaring 1920s. Nick Carraway finds himself living among the idle rich. As he surveys their reckless lives and relationships, he is repeatedly drawn to one man who still believes in the American Dream: Jay Gatsby. As Nick and Gatsby are carried along by forces that neither of them fully control or understand, they get a thorough education on the consequences of materialism, deceit, and petty self-interest. Progeny Press Study Guides provide teachers, parents, and students with literary analysis based upon the foundation of the Bible. Examining well-written literature in relation to biblical standards, students will develop and refine how they deal with man's philosophies while learning about the craft of writing. Progeny Press Study Guides deal with literature as works of art and philosophy as they explain and use literary terms; deal with plot construction; dig into character studies; and bring attention to themes and ideas the author has crafted. Easy-to-use lessons include vocabulary, comprehension, analysis and critical thinking exercises, questions on related Biblical principles, activities, and a complete answer key. Middle & High School guides take approximately from 8 to 10 weeks to complete. 82 pages, paperback. Grades 9-12. Covers may vary.