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

50 States: West Virginia

At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, Virginia was a state that included present-day Virginia and West Virginia. From the earliest days of statehood, there was a rift between those who lived in eastern Virginia and those who lived in western Virginia. Those in the east had the money and held the power. They were wealthy landowners who controlled the vote. Those who lived in the west did not own land and, therefore, were not allowed to vote, until the law was changed in 1850. When Virginia decided to secede from the Union in 1861, many who lived in western Virginia talked about forming their own state government which would, then, be loyal to the Union. On June 20, 1863, this new state—West Virginia—was granted statehood. It is our 35th state.

West Virginia (WV) covers more than 24,000 square miles, making it the 41st biggest state. The capital and largest city is Charleston. People who live in WV are referred to as West Virginians. It is estimated that there were more than 1.8 million West Virginians in 2013. Some famous people born here include:

Pearl S. Buck...author

Stonewall Jackson...Civil War general

William Hatfield...Family leader (Hatfield and McCoys)

Chuck Yeager...World War II pilot

Mary Lou Retton...Olympic gold medalist

Joseph E. Johnston...Civil War general

Brad Paisley...singer

Some of the state symbols include:

Bird...Cardinal

Animal...Black bear

Fish...Brook trout

Butterfly...Monarch butterfly

Flower...Rhododendron

Tree...Sugar maple

Fruit...Golden delicious apple

The state motto is "Montani simper liberi," which means "Mountaineers are always free." The word "mountaineer" actually has its origin in Cymbeline, one of Shakespeare's plays. Its original connotation was derogatory, but it has come to be defined generally as a person who lives in a mountainous region. West Virginia is certainly a mountainous region, and its nickname—The Mountain State—is well deserved.

The official flag of WV was adopted in 1929. The rhododendron surrounds the state seal which depicts a farmer and a miner on opposite sides of a rock with the date of statehood carved into it. There are also two rifles and a liberty cap. The motto is written on the lower ribbon.

What is there to do in West Virginia? Plenty, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. One extremely popular area for rock climbing is Seneca Rocks. This is a sheer rock face located on the edge of the Monongahela National Forest in the eastern portion of the state. While in the area, visit Seneca Caverns.

Blackwater Falls State Park is located in Davis, WV. This is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon. Despite the fact that there had not been much rain and the falls did not have a lot of water pouring over them, the area was simply beautiful.

Some other quaint spots on our trip included the smallest post office in the lower 48 and the smallest church, which wasn't much bigger than the mailing office you see below.

Consider visiting the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park or Harpers Ferry National Historical Park where John Brown made a stand against slavery. The New River Gorge Bridge is the longest arch bridge in the western hemisphere and was chosen to be displayed on the West Virginia commemorative quarter. A visitors' center allows you to stand at the top of the gorge and take photographs of the bridge.

You can tour the old West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. Across the street is the largest Indian burial ground in the world and a museum which houses many artifacts from WV history.

Many beautiful state parks and lakes are located in West Virginia, each with a plethora of activities to enjoy. There are also ski resorts for outdoor fun in the winter. One activity my family enjoyed every year while we lived in Pennsylvania was visiting Oglebay in Wheeling for the Festival of Lights.

Now, test your knowledge and see what you have learned with these West Virginia learning games.

The following items are available on www.christianbook.com.

West Virginia My First Book, Grades K-8 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.

It Happened in West Virginia By Rick Steelhammer / Globe Pequot

West Virginia Poster/Map By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Brighten up your schoolroom with this large poster of West Virginia! With rivers, lakes, and large cities labeled, there are also notes on where the state's natural resources are, where tourism spots are located, and pictures around the bottom. A box with famous people from West Virginia is included, as well as a small map of counties, a timeline, geo-trivia, and state information. Measures approximately 2'10" x 1'10". Glossy.

The Landmark History of the American People, Volume 1: From Plymouth to the West By Daniel J. Boorstin & Ruth F. Boorstin / Avyx Inc Originally published as The Landmark History of the American People from Plymouth to Appomattox, which came out in 22 chapters from 1968-1987, this edition features new text alongside updated and revised text and new, colorful illustrations, timelines, and maps. The first in a 2-volume series, this book covers the plantations and earliest settlements from Massachusetts to Virginia, the path towards the Revolutionary War, immigration and new states post-Revolution, and Westward Expansion. Engaging, lively chapters are filled with the dramatic true stories of history, giving students a unique perspective into the lives of people who lived long ago, yet continue to impact the character of our nation. Image-rich chapters feature numerous art reproductions, annotated maps, and helpful graphics. Readers will gain an understanding of the trajectories of historical events and the people who influenced the course of history through this unique history text. 169 pages, indexed, softcover. Grades 6 & up.

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry By Coughlan Publishing Grab your Manga-and-comic obsessed children's attention with this graphic-novel approach to American history! Focusing on the story of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, this novel breaks down his life in classic "comic book" style. Glossary, index, bibliography, and internet resources included. Ages 8-12, 32 pages, softcover.

The Good Earth Trilogy: The Good Earth, Sons, and A House Divided - eBook By Pearl S. Buck / Open Road Media

Good Earth, Novel Units Teacher's Guide, Grades 9-12 By Buck / ECS Learning Systems, Inc. This Novel Units teacher's guide is designed to accompany the (not-included) novel "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, as well as the sold-separately The Good Earth Novel Units Student Packet. Including a number of teacher's helps, exercises, discussion questions, assessment tools, graphic organizers, writing and art ideas, critical thinking challenges, extension activities, glossary, and more, this book is a convenient guide to facilitating discussion. Background information includes a summary, 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. [Washington Square Press, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc. Copyright 1994.] Please note that the student packet includes the answers to the student book, not this teacher's edition. Paperback. Grades 9-12.

Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth By Hilary Spurling / Simon & Schuster The daughter of missionaries and raised in China, Pearl Buck went on to write The Good Earth, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize. She was also awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1938. This biography by Hilary Spurling offers a richly detailed portrait of a woman ahead of her time in women's rights and humanitarian efforts in China.

Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story DVD By Ken Carpenter / Franklin Springs Family Media He's known for his military might and his Christian character. Through High Definition videography and expert narrative, Still Standing traces the life of Stonewall Jackson, from his orphaned childhood, to the Sunday School class he taught for African Americans, to the pivotal role he played as a General in the Civil War. Still Standing is punctuated by narrative from noted historians James I. "Bud" Robertson Jr., Dr. George Grant, William Potter, Virginia Military Institute Col. Keith Gibson; and Francis Lightburn Cressman—great-granddaughter of Civil War Union General Joseph Lightburn—among others. The film features striking new footage from Jackson's boyhood home near Weston, West Virginia; various locations in Lexington, Virginia, and other Civil War locales. 48 minutes on DVD with bonus features.

Such Troops at These: The Genius and Leadership of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson By Bevin Alexander / Berkley Caliber Hardcover

Thomas Stonewall Jackson: Confederate General By Coughlan Publishing Learn about Stonewall Jackson's life and legacy with this Signature Lives biography. Clear, informative text coupled with historic illustrations and photographs bring added depth, while historical context allows students to look at the era. 112 pages, paperback. Timeline, index, glossary, and "life at a glance" page included.

Stonewall Jackson, Sower Series By Mott Media, LLC Stonewall Jackson was loved in the South and admired in the North. He was called a great general, a noble Christian, and a pure man by a Northern newspaper at the time of his death. He was fearless in battle and well-respected. Read of his childhood, his hard work at West Point, and his faith that shaped him into the man he became. For ages 9 to 13.

Stonewall By John J. Dwyer / B&H Books Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. The name is most often followed by the phrase "American Civil War hero." This historical novel takes you beyond that limited scope to reveal the full character of this extraordinary man. Meet Stonewall the lonely orphan, the mocked military cadet, and the devout Christian. His rise from personal tragedy to legendary glory will inspire you to stand strong in your pursuits. 512 pages, softcover from B&H.

Collection Five: Mary Anna Jackson & Susannah Spurgeon By Emily Rose & Breezy Brookshire / Noble Rose Press Encourage a love of history in your daughters with Daughters of His Story Paper Dolls! Emphasizing historical women who serve as examples of femininity and strong biblical character, the featured women sacrificed much for the sake of the Lord, their husbands, and families. Printed on high-quality glossy paper, cutting out the dolls and clothes is required. Printed in the United States. Daughters of His Story Paper Dolls: Collection Five features two women of the Victorian Era, one from America and one from England: Mary Anna Jackson, wife of "Stonewall" Jackson, and Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles Spurgeon. This book includes: Two 8" (9" including stands) paper dolls: Mary Anna Jackson and Susannah Spurgeon Two short biographical sketches Three dresses each Two timeline figures A pocket (to attach to the inside of the keepsake folder)

The Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys By Dean King / Little, Brown & Company In the mid-nineteenth century, the Hatfields and the McCoys lived in relative harmony in the Appalachian Mountains as they married, worked, and traded among each other. What happened that caused a rift so powerful that centuries later Americans still know of them? This meticulously researched work looks at the killing, kidnapping, and torture that grew out of animosity sparked by the division of the Civil War. The Feud moves readers beyond the legend and into the lives and times of these two families. 430 pages, hardcover, indexed.

Micro Business for Teens Review

My 14-year-old son is always looking for ways to earn money. Since I don't have a lot of money to be paying him for extra jobs around the house, he is often left wanting, unless his grandmother can hire him to do some yard work. Micro Business for Teens seemed like a godsend. I was sure this would help him find his niche and begin making some money. As part of this curriculum, we received three books: Starting a Micro Business, Running a Micro Business, and Micro Business for Teens Workbook. As soon as we received these physical products in the mail, he got started. They are geared towards young people, ages 10 through 18, and they are written specifically for them. They are not, as Carol Topp puts it, books about running a lemonade stand, nor are they books written for adults with a few words changed to make them sound as though they are written for young people.

Starting a Micro Business begins by explaining what a micro business is, getting an idea of a good micro business, and how to choose the right product or service and transitions into writing a business plan and financing the business. Extra information is given for particular types of businesses like babysitting and food preparation. Carol Topp also has a chapter on finding encouragement and motivation to keep up with the business.

At the outset of Starting a Micro Business, my son was encouraged by the stories of teens with successful businesses which are interspersed throughout the book. Of course, he got very excited when he read about the boy who was offered $300,000 for his website after it had been existence for two years. As he began to think of an idea for his businesses, he quickly became discouraged. He became aware of the fact that there aren't a whole lot of things he likes to do besides play video games. One of his dreams has been to become a YouTube personality by uploading videos of himself playing Minecraft. I think he realized, though, that that is not entirely realistic and, while there are some extremely famous YouTubers out there, he does not have anything to talk about that would draw people. Since his interests are limited and he is not sure what he is capable of, he read through all of the ideas presented by Carol. He decided that he could bring himself to provide a doggy-doo cleanup service, "Doggy Don't Doo." Now, for my son to choose something like this, it means he has gone beyond his own comfort zone. He has stretched himself. He realized that he might have to buckle down and work to start earning some money. We talked about the fact that he might learn of more abilities that he possesses or things he likes if he would spend less time on the computer. Of course, he could find a way to incorporate the computer into a micro business, but he tends to fear the learning curve (I think).

We had a lot of discussions about what he would charge for his service, and he spent a good deal of time learning about licenses, permits, and sales tax. While my son did not actually start his business yet, he learned from Running a Micro Business how to serve customers well, keep good records, and keeping up with the bookkeeping to make the end-of-the-year reports and taxes easier to file. The organizational aspect of running a business might trip my son up. He is not a very organized person. I think he gets that from his mom. :(  These books, however, provide the resources and the information needed to do the job well. I appreciated the chapter on bookkeeping. It made me think about my own freelance editing job and what records I should be keeping and taxes I should be filing.

As my son thinks more about the business he is choosing to embark upon and how he will go about advertising, I am sure he will go back to these books for advice and encouragement. When I asked him what he liked best about the books, he stated, "They were very detailed and gave guides to multiple different possibilities." He disliked the fact that they gave more information about certain types of jobs than others. He felt that there were some items within the books that were repetitive.

All three books are available in paperback and e-book form. Starting a Micro Business and Running a Micro Business both retail for $9.95 as a paperback and $4.95 as an e-book. The Micro Business for Teens Workbook is $14.95 as a paperback and $9.95 as an e-book.




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