50 States: Wisconsin

Wisconsin (WI) became the 30th state in the Union on May 29, 1848. After officially becoming a territory in 1836, businessmen and politicians began to push for statehood in order to increase their power. By 1846, they had the support they needed and began to draft a constitution. It would take two years and many heated arguments before a state constitution could be ratified.

Wisconsin's capital is Madison, and the largest city is Milwaukee. People who live here are called Wisconsinites. They are also referred to as Cheeseheads because a great deal of cheese is produced in Wisconsin. They have a special way of speaking, such as "pert-neer" and "you betcha." Here are a some common words and their definitions.

Some famous people born in Wisconsin include:

Thornton Wilder...novelist and playwright

Arthur Davidson...one of the founders of Harley-Davidson

William S. Harley...another founder of Harley-Davidson

Frank Lloyd Wright...architect

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Orson Welles...actor

Les Paul...guitarist

Georgia O'Keeffe...painter

Carrie Chapman Catt...women's rights activist

Danica Patrick...race car driver

These people are very interesting. Why not pick one to research this summer and write a paper about them?

Wisconsin covers more than 65,000 square miles, making it the 23rd largest state. As of 2013, there were more than 5.7 million people living there. The economy of Wisconsin is supported greatly by the processing of cheese and butter, the farming of corn, the manufacturing of machinery and beer, and tourism.

Wisconsin's nickname is the "Badger State," and its motto is "Forward." Other state symbols include:

Bird...Robin

Animal...Badger

Wildlife Animal...White-tailed deer

Domestic Animal...Dairy cow

Dog...American Water Spaniel

Fish...Muskellunge

Insect...Honeybee

Grain...Corn

Flower...Wood violet

Tree...Sugar maple

Fossil...Trilobite

Beverage...Milk

Wisconsin's state flag was adopted in 1913. The blue flag depicts the state seal which includes the motto, the coat of arms, a sailor, a miner, a badger, and the year of statehood on it. The coat of arms shows a plough which represents Wisconsin's agriculture industry, a pick and shovel to represent lead-mining industry, an arm and a hammer together to represent artisans and laborers, and an anchor to represent the maritime industry. E Pluribus Unum, the motto of the U.S. is in the center of the seal.

One of the first things I think about when I hear Wisconsin is Wisconsin Dells. There are many different, exciting attractions and activities in this part of the state. You can also view the House on the Rock in Spring Green. Cave of the Mounds is in Blue Mounds. Lambeau field in Green Bay is home to the Green Bay Packers. The Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee can be toured year round. This was the home built by the creator of the Pabst Beer Brewery. Frank Lloyd Wright's home—Taliesin—stands in Spring Green. The Harley-Davidson Museum is located in Milwaukee.

There are museums, zoos, and ski resorts as well. There does not appear to be a shortage of things to do in Wisconsin, no matter what time of year you visit.

Test your Wisconsin knowledge with these learning games.

The following are some Wisconsin-related items that can be found at www.christianbook.com.

Wisconsin Big Activity Book, Grades K-5 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Whether you're visiting a new state or starting a state studies course, The Big Wisconsin Reproducible Activity Book will fulfill your wishes for a fun and educational way to learn state facts! Featuring worksheets on Wisconsin's history, geography, famous people, places, legends, and much more, you'll get a thorough introduction to what makes this state unique. Crosswords, dot-to-dots, mazes, coloring, word jumbles, writing, hidden pictures, and other fun activities will make your students want to learn more and more. Great for review and research! 96 reproducible pages, softcover. Answers are printed upside down at the bottom of the page. Activities range in difficulty; Grades K-5.

Wisconsin By Jeffrey Horn & Catherine Gardner(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing Bolster students' knowledge of the state they live in! Discover the history of the state, including Native American history, colonial history, and modern history, and learn about the current demographics of the state, the land itself, the economy, state government, and cultural attractions. "Fun Facts," "Famous people," and "In history" sidebars provide interesting tidbits of information. Full-color photographs, time line, glossary, and index included. 32 pages, softcover. Grades 2-4.

It Happened in Wisconsin, 2nd Edition By Michael Bie / Globe Pequot

Wisconsin History 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.

Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Storybook Life By Janet & Geoff Benge / YWAM Publishing The Heroes of History series chronicles the true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history. From the big woods of Wisconsin to the Indian country of the Great Plains, new adventures and landscapes filled the rich childhood of Laura Ingalls Wilder. On a frontier steeped in both danger and great possibility, Laura would grow up to witness firsthand the rapid transformation of the West as pioneers and covered wagons gave way to farms, towns, and railroads. For ages 10 and up.

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder? - eBook By Patricia Brennan Demuth / Grosset & Dunlap Who really lived inside The Little House on the Prairie? Find out in this young biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder! Readers will see just how similar Laura's true-life story was to her books. Born in 1867 in the "Big Woods" in Wisconsin, Laura experienced both the hardship and the adventures of living on the frontier. It wasn't until after she was sixty that Laura Ingalls Wilder started chronicling those times, which resulted in nine Little House books, a hit TV series that ran for eight years, and her own permanent place as a heroine of the American West.

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder? By Patricia Brennan Demuth / Grosset & Dunlap Who really lived inside The Little House on the Prairie? Find out in this young biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder! Readers will see just how similar Laura's true-life story was to her books. Born in 1867 in the "Big Woods" in Wisconsin, Laura experienced both the hardship and the adventures of living on the frontier. It wasn't until after she was sixty that Laura Ingalls Wilder started chronicling those times, which resulted in nine Little House books, a hit TV series that ran for eight years, and her own permanent place as a heroine of the American West.

Frank Lloyd Wright: An Autobiography By Frank L. Wright / Pomegranate Communications

Famous Buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright Coloring Book By Bruce LaFontaine / Dover Publications Enrich your child's imagination and creativity with these 44 line drawings on some of the finest architectural achievements of the 20th century in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Each page is suitable for coloring and includes information about each structure.

Georgia O'Keeffe By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Correlated to state and national standards, this series teaches students about important people, places, and events in history. Broken down into short, easy-to-read passages reinforced by simple activities, each reader includes a glossary, interesting facts, reading, puzzles, highlights of achievements, sequencing of important events, and simple math activities. 12 pages each. Grades K-4.

Our Town: A Play in Three Acts By Thornton Wilder / Harpercollins Publishing

Our Town, Novel Units Teacher's Guide, Grades 9-12 By Wilder / ECS Learning Systems, Inc. This teacher's guide for Thornton Wilder's novel Our Town includes a number of teacher's helps, exercises, discussion questions, assessment tools, graphic organizers, writing and art ideas, critical thinking challenges, extension activities, and a glossary. Perfect for in-depth study and discussion! Background information includes a summary of the book, information about the author, and ideas for initiating activity; the discussion questions follow the chapters in the book. Page numbers are included which reference the edition quoted in the front cover [Harper Perennial paperback edition]. 32 reproducible pages, softcover. Grades 9-12.

Thornton Wilder By Penelope Niven / Harpercollins Publishing

The Old Man and the Harley: A Last Ride Through Our Fathers' America - eBook By John Newkirk / Thomas Nelson In 1939 Jack Newkirk rode across country on his Harley Davidson VL Big Twin, from the New York World's Fair to the San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition. In The Old Man and the Harley, author John J. Newkirk paints a memorable portrait of his father Jack and the Depression/WWII generation by retracing the journey with his father. Part history, part adventure, The Old Man and the Harley is also a poignant tribute to America's Greatest Generation.

Chat Pack Wisconsin: Fun Questions to Spark Wisconsin Conversations By Questmarc Publishing / Questmarc Publishing

Wisconsin Crosswords By Andrew J. Ries / Adventure Publications

Food Lovers' Guide to Wisconsin: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings By Martin Hintz & Pam Percy / Globe Pequot