Summer Series: 50 States - Florida

FLORIDA

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Today, we will look at Florida, the 27th state.  This is the southernmost state on the East Coast.  Being a peninsula, it boasts approximately 1200 miles of coastline, 663 miles of which are beaches.  

Florida (FL) is known for many things.  Oranges and grapefruit are grown everywhere.  In fact, 80% of America's citrus is grown here.  The Orange Blossom is the state flower, and orange juice is the state beverage.

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Florida is also known for alligators; they are, after all, the state reptile.  When moving here last year, we were advised how to avoid alligators.  I have yet to see one in the wild.  Of course, a person living near the Everglades would have a much better chance of seeing them than someone who lives in Northern Florida.  St. Augustine has an Alligator Farm where you can view various species of alligator and walk over a bridge that spans a large lake filled with hundreds of hungry gators.  It is slightly disconcerting.

Florida is also known for its hurricanes.  In the past 100 years, 26 major hurricanes have struck.  Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.  There are also a lot of lightning storms.  Some of these spawn from hurricanes; some just pop up randomly.

FL is the 22nd biggest state.  It officially became a state on March 3, 1845.  The population is the 4th largest in the U.S.  Many "snowbirds" travel South during the winter to escape the cold and snow.  Folks who live here are known as Floridians.  Some famous Floridians are Jacqueline Cochran.  She was the director of the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) during World War II.  Even though she passed away in 1980, she still holds many aviation records that no man or woman has been able to break.  Chris Evert is a famous tennis player.  Jim Morrison was a famous singer who died in 1971.  Bob Ross was known as "The Happy Painter."  Vanilla Ice was a rapper and now has his own home improvement show.  There have been many actors and sports stars born in Florida as well.

Florida was so named by Ponce de Leon on Palm Sunday in 1513.  He named it in honor of the Spanish Easter festival, "Pascua de Florida," or "Feast of Flowers."  The capital is Tallahassee.  This was not always the case, however.  In 1824, when East and West Florida merged, Tallahassee was chosen as the capital because it was halfway between St. Augustine (capital of East) and Pensacola (capital of West).  St. Augustine has the honor of being the oldest town in America.  Pedro Menendez de Aviles came to San Augustin in 1565 with 800 colonists to claim the land for Spain.  They expelled the French and captured Fort Caroline which they renamed San Mateo.  The French recaptured San Mateo two years later.  The Spanish built forts and missions all the way to South Carolina.  In 1586, Privateer Sir Francis Drake looted St. Augustine and burned it down.

When the English colonists came in 1607 and 1620, they pushed Spain southward, and the French traveled down the Mississippi and pushed Spain towards the east.  The English colonists, aided by the Creek Indians, destroyed St. Augustine in 1702, but they were unable to capture the fort, Castillo de San Marcos.  Two years later, they destroyed the Spanish missions between St. Augustine and Tallahassee.  The French were able to capture the city of Pensacola in 1719.  The English controlled Georgia by 1733, and Georgians attacked Florida in 1740.

By 1763, England gained (Spain lost) control over Florida as a result of the Treaty of Paris after the French and Indian War.  England chose to split Florida in two - East Florida and West Florida.  British rule, however, only lasted 20 years before they lost (Spain gained) Florida as a result of the second Treaty of Paris after the American Revolution.  The United States was able to purchase Florida from Spain in 1819 for just five million dollars.  It wasn't officially occupied by the U.S. until 1821 and became a territory in 1822.

When white settlers began moving into the area, they clashed with the Native Americans already living there.  These settlers asked the government to remove the Indian groups.  Osceola is one of the most famous Native Americans from the area.  He was a Seminole war leader who refused to leave.  The U.S. government ended up spending some 20 million dollars trying to forcefully remove the Native Americans.  Many lives were lost.  In the end, some Seminoles were sent west while others escaped to the Everglades.  Several Indian reservations exist today in Florida.

The next big event in Florida's history was the Civil War.  Although Florida was the third state to secede from the Union, January 10, 1861, there were no decisive battles fought on Florida soil.

The flag was adopted in 1900 and has a red cross of St. Andrew on a background of white.  The state seal is in the center of the flag and has a Seminole woman, flowers, the sun, a cabbage palm, a sailing steamboat, land, and water.

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Florida's nickname is The Sunshine State, for obvious reasons.  The motto is "In God We Trust."  The Mockingbird is the state bird, and the state mammal is the Panther.  The manatee is the state marine mammal.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of places to visit in Florida.  Many people travel from other countries to visit places like St. Augustine, Walt Disney World, and Miami.  Orlando, where WDW is located, also has Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Universal Studios Orlando.  One new park is Legoland Florida, located in Winter Haven.  This park opened on October 15, 2011.  The Daytona 500 is another reason for folks to visit Florida, especially NASCAR fans.

Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral offers space enthusiasts a closeup look at the Space Shuttle Atlantis.  Key West, at the southernmost tip of Florida, is a prime destination place for fishermen and beachcombers.  The Everglades is a National Park in Florida and is home to many different species of animals.  Here is a kid page for learning about the Everglades.  There are many zoos, aquariums, and museums all throughout Florida.  The Gulf Coast also provides its own flavor of attractions.  There is no shortage of interesting things to do and learn in this state.

Here are some links to children's activities related to Florida:

http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=44

http://mrnussbaum.com/united-states/florida/

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/usa-states/florida/

Next, I will share a list of books that relate to Florida in one way or another.  I am an affiliate with Christian Book.  If you choose to purchase any of these items, I will receive a small percentage.  (Thank you for your support.)

Florida Jography, Grades 3-8 By 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 the state. Includes: Fast "Fax", word search, multiple choice, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

Florida By Sandra Friend / Charlesbridge Publishing When you think of Florida, you probably think of sunshine, beaches, and vacations. It's true that, as the southernmost state in the continental U.S., Florida gets plenty of sunshine. It has 1,200 miles of coastline, so you're never far from a beach. Millions of people visit Florida on their vacations. But there's more to Florida than sun and beaches. Florida's name comes from the colorful wildflowers that grow everywhere. When Ponce de Leon came here in 1513, he called the land "La Florida," the land of flowers.

Voices from Colonial America: Florida 1513-1821 By Matthew C Cannavale / National Geographic Children's Books

Florida Manatee By Louise Spilsbury & Richard Spilsbury / Heinemann Raintree

Florida Pocket Guide, Grades 3-8 By Gallopade International The perfect reference guide. This handy 4" x 6", easy-to-use guide is divided into seven color-coded sections which include: basics, history, geography, people, places, nature, and more! Riddles, recipes, and surprising facts make this guide a delight! Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

Alligator By Patricia Whitehouse / Heinemann Raintree This book introduces you to alligators, including their size, diet and everyday behavior, which highlights differences between those in the wild and those living in a zoo habitat.

Seminole Indians By Caryn Yacowitz / Heinemann Raintree The only undefeated tribe in the United States, learn what makes the Seminole Tribe unique! Photos and clear, short chapters highlight their clan structure, clothing, religion, ceremonies, food production, land, games, the leaders that refused to surrender to the US, and the Seminoles today. 32 pages, softcover, with index and glossary.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Walt Disney World Resort & Orlando By Michael Sasser & Jonathan Schultz / DK Publishing Inc. Make your trip unforgettable for all the right reasons. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides will provide you with the information you need to explore Walt Disney World Resort & Orlando in comfort and security. Packed with photographs, illustrations, and maps, travelers will find listings of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops alongside detailed transportation information and general traveling tips. Recognized the world over by frequent flyers and armchair travelers alike, Eyewitness Travel Guides are among the most colorful and comprehensive guides on the market. With beautifully commissioned photographs and spectacular 3-D aerial views revealing the charm of each destination, these amazing travel guides show what others only tell. 208 pages, flexiback.

Walt Disney: Young Movie Maker Childhood of Famous Americans Series By Marie Hammontree / Simon & Schuster A biography concentrating on the boyhood of the cartoonist and filmmaker who created Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. For ages 8 and up.

Driven by Faith: The Trevor Bayne Story By Godwin Kelly / Zondervan Trevor Bayne is the youngest race car driver ever to win the Daytona 500. Throughout his career, from his early start driving go-carts to his incredible win at NASCAR's biggest race, Trevor attributes his success to God -both on and off the track. His amazing story will inspire young readers as they read the story of a boy unafraid to share his faith and a man who gives all the glory to God.

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.

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.