Wisconsin Facts for Kids Wisconsin was the 30th state to join the union. It became a state on May 29,1848. Capital - Madison Abbreviation - WI Nickname - Badger State Motto - "Forward" Song - On, Wisconsin! Bird - Robin Flower - Wood Violet Insect - Honey Bee Area - approximately 65,503 square miles Learn more about Wisconsin Wisconsin Wildlife Wisconsin hosts 668 native Continue reading »
Search Results for: unit studies
All About Ohio
Ohio Facts for Kids Ohio was the 17th state to join the union. It became a state on March 1, 1803. Capital - Columbus Abbreviation - OH Nickname - Buckeye State Motto - "With God, All Things Are Possible" Song - Beautiful Ohio Bird - Cardinal Flower - Scarlet Carnation Insect - Ladybug Area - approximately 44,828 square miles Learn more about Ohio First Continue reading »
All About Oklahoma
Oklahoma Facts for Kids Oklahoma was the 46th state to join the union. It became a state on November 16, 1907. Capital - Oklahoma City Abbreviation - OK Nickname - Sooner State Motto - "Labor omnia vincit" - Labor Conquers All Things Song - "Oklahoma!" by Rodgers and Hammerstein Bird - Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher Flower - Oklahoma Rose Insect - Honey Bee Area - approximately Continue reading »
All About Oregon
Oregon Facts for Kids Oregon was the 33rd state to join the union. It became a state on February 14, 1859. Capital - Salem Abbreviation - OR Nickname - Beaver State Motto - "She Flies With Her Own Wings" and "The Union" Song - Oregon, My Oregon Bird - Western Meadowlark Flower - Oregon grape Insect - Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly Area - approximately 98,386 Continue reading »
All About Rhode Island
Rhode Island Facts for Kids Rhode Island was the 13th state to join the union. It became a state on May 29, 1790. Capital - Providence Abbreviation - RI Nickname - The Ocean State, Little Rhody Motto - "Hope" Song - Rhode Island, It's for Me Bird - Rhode Island Red Flower - Violets Insect - American Burying Beetle Area - approximately 1,545 Continue reading »
All About South Carolina
South Carolina Facts for Kids South Carolina was the 8th state to join the union. It became a state on May 23, 1788. Capital - Columbia Abbreviation - SC Nickname - Palmetto State Motto - "Dum Spiro Spero" - While I breathe, I hope Song - Carolina Bird - Carolina Wren Flower - Yellow Jessamine Insect - Carolina Mantid Area - approximately 32,007 square Continue reading »
All About Nebraska
Nebraska Facts for Kids Nebraska was the 37th state to join the union. It became a state on March 1, 1867. Capital - Lincoln Abbreviation - NE Nickname - Cornhusker State, The Tree Planters' State Motto - "Equality before the law" Song - Beautiful Nebraska Bird - Western Meadowlark Flower - Goldenrod Insect - Honeybee Area - approximately 77,358 square miles Learn more about Continue reading »
All About Nevada
Nevada Facts for Kids Nevada was the 36th state to join the union. It became a state on October 31, 1864. Capital - Carson City Abbreviation - NV Nickname - Silver State, Sagebrush State Motto - "All for Our Country " Song - Home Means Nevada Bird - Mountain Bluebird Flower - Sagebrush Insect - Vivid Dancer Damselfly Area - approximately 110,567 square Continue reading »
All About Louisiana
Louisiana Facts for Kids Louisiana was the 18th state to join the union. It became a state on April 30, 1812. Capital - Baton Rouge Abbreviation - LA Nickname - Sportsman's Paradise Motto - "Union, Justice, and Confidence " Song - "Give Me Louisiana" and "You Are My Sunshine" Bird - Eastern Brown Pelican Flower - Magnolia blossom Insect - Honeybee Area - approximately Continue reading »
All About Maine
Maine Facts for Kids Maine was the 23rd state to join the union. It became a state on March 15, 1820. Capital - Augusta Abbreviation - ME Nickname - Pine Tree State Motto - "Dirigo" - I direct Song - "State of Maine Song" Bird - Black-capped chickadee Flower - White Pine Cone and Tassel Insect - Honey Bee Area - approximately 35,387 square Continue reading »
All About Maryland
Maryland Facts for Kids Maryland was the 7th state to join the union. It became a state on April 28,1788. Capital - Annapolis Abbreviation - MD Nickname - Old Line State Motto - "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine" Manly Deeds, Womanly Words Song - Maryland, My Maryland Bird - Baltimore oriole Flower - Black-eyed Susan Insect - Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Area - approximately 12,407 square Continue reading »
All About Massachusetts
Massachusetts Facts for Kids Massachusetts was the 6th state to join the union. It became a state on February 6, 1788. Capital - Boston Abbreviation - MA Nickname - Bay State Motto - "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" - By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty Song - All Hail to Massachusetts Bird - Black-Capped Chickadee Continue reading »
All About Minnesota
Minnesota Facts for Kids Minnesota was the 32nd state to join the union. It became a state on May 11, 1858. Capital - St. Paul Abbreviation - MN Nickname - Gopher State. North Star State Motto - "L'Etoile du Nord" - The Star of the North Song - Hail Minnesota Bird - Common Loon Flower - Pink and White Lady's Slipper Insect - Continue reading »
All About Illinois
Illinois Facts for Kids Illinois was the 21st state to join the union. It became a state on December 3, 1818. Capital - Springfield Abbreviation - IL Nickname - Prairie State Motto - State Sovereignty, National Union Song - "Illinois" Bird - Cardinal Flower - Illinois Native (Purple) Violet Insect - Monarch Butterfly Area - approximately 57,918 square miles Learn more about Illinois Abraham Continue reading »
All About Indiana
Indiana Facts for Kids Indiana was the 19th state to join the union. It became a state on December 11, 1816. Capital - Indianapolis Abbreviation - IN Nickname - Hoosier State Motto - "The Crossroads of America" Song - "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," Bird - Cardinal Flower - Peony Insect - Say's Firefly Area - approximately 36,420 square miles Continue reading »
All About Iowa
Iowa Facts for Kids Iowa was the 29th state to join the union. It became a state on December 28, 1846. Capital - Des Moines Abbreviation - IA Nickname - Hawkeye State Motto - "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" Song - The Song of Iowa Bird - Eastern Goldfinch Flower - Wild Rose Insect - None adopted Continue reading »
All About Kansas
Kansas Facts for Kids Kansas was the 34th state to join the union. It became a state on January 29, 1861. Capital - Topeka Abbreviation - KS Nickname - Sunflower State Motto - "Ad astra per aspera" - To the stars through difficulties Song - Home on the Range Bird - Western Meadowlark Flower - Sunflower Insect - Honey Bee Area - approximately 82,282 Continue reading »
All About Florida
Florida Facts for Kids Florida was the 27th state to join the union. It became a state on March 3, 1845. Capital - Tallahassee Abbreviation - FL Nickname - The Sunshine State Motto - "In God we trust." Song - "Swanee River" Bird - Mockingbird Flower - Orange blossom Insect - Zebra Longwing Butterfly Area - approximately 65,758 square miles Learn more about Florida Continue reading »
All About Georgia
Georgia Facts for Kids Georgia was the 4th state to join the union. It became a state on January 2, 1788. Capital - Atlanta Abbreviation - GA Nickname - Empire State of the South, Peach State Motto - "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation" Song - Georgia on My Mind Bird - Brown thrasher Flower - Cherokee Rose Insect - Honey Bee Area - approximately 59,441 Continue reading »
All About Alaska
Alaska Facts for Kids Alaska was the 49th state to join the union. It became a state on January 3, 1959. Capital - Juneau Abbreviation - AK Nickname - The Last Frontier Motto - North To The Future Song - Alaska's Flag Bird - Willow Ptarmigan Flower - Forget Me Not Insect - Four Spot Skimmer Dragonfly Area - approximately 656,425 square miles Learn Continue reading »
All About Arizona
Arizona Facts for Kids Arizona was the 48th state to join the union. It became a state on February 14, 1912. Capital - Phoenix Abbreviation - AZ Nickname - Grand Canyon State Motto - "Ditat Deus" - God Enriches Song - Arizona March Song Bird - Cactus wren Flower - Saguaro Cactus Blossom Insect - Two-tailed Swallowtail Area - approximately 114,006 square miles Learn Continue reading »
All About Arkansas
Arkansas Facts for Kids Arkansas was the 25th state to join the union. It became a state on June 15, 1836. Capital - Little Rock Abbreviation - AR Nickname - The Natural State Motto - "Regnat Populus" - The people rule Song - "Arkansas" and "Oh Arkansas" Bird - Mockingbird Flower - Apple Blossom Insect - Honey Bee Area - approximately 53,182 square miles Continue reading »
All About California
California Facts for Kids California was the 31st state to join the union. It became a state on September 9, 1850. Capital - Sacramento Abbreviation - CA Nickname - The Golden State Motto - Eureka - I have found it Song - "I Love You, California" Bird - California Valley Quail Flower - California Poppy Insect - California Dog-Face Butterfly Area - approximately 163,707 Continue reading »
All About Colorado
Colorado Facts for Kids Colorado was the 38th state to join the union. It became a state on August 1, 1876. Capital - Denver Abbreviation - CO Nickname - Centennial State, Colorful Colorado Motto - Nil sine Numine - Nothing without Providence Song - Where the Columbines Grow Bird - Lark Bunting Flower - Rocky Mountain Columbine Insect - Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly Area - Continue reading »
All About Alabama
Alabama Facts for Kids Alabama was the 22nd state to join the union. It became a state on December 14, 1819. Capital - Montgomery Abbreviation - AL Nickname - Heart of Dixie and The Yellowhammer State Motto - "Audemus jura nostra defendere" - We Dare Defend Our Rights Song - Alabama Bird - Yellowhammer Flower Continue reading »
Going from Homeschool to College: What You Need to Know
Homeschool graduates can and do go to college—all the time. Homeschooled teens who are prepared for college-level work and who can submit strong applications are often admitted to multiple colleges, just like their public school friends and peers. That said, homeschooling parents and their teens benefit from learning more about the college admissions process and Continue reading »
Creating a Calendar with Kids
A great project for the New Year is making a calendar with your little ones. I'm talking about making a calendar the old fashioned way, using fresh heavy art paper and your favorite combination of markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, or other media. You can integrate all kinds of learning opportunities in this simple, fun activity. Continue reading »
Instead of Curriculum: Living Math
Why do some homeschoolers choose not to use one of the many complete math curricula available today? And what do they do instead? To many homeschooling parents, math feels like the one thing that must be taught and learned in a systematic way even for very young children. Even many people who are otherwise attracted to or influenced by a version of interest-based learning or unschooling often say-- "except for math."
Guide to Unschooling for Beginners
There's nothing I get asked about more as a parent than unschooling, and nothing I recommend more to other parents. Continue reading »
Don't Push Little Ones To Learn
Take a look at promotional material for preschools in your area. Chances are there's an emphasis on early math, pre-reading, and other academics. This approach sells. Nearly everyone I know is sure their children benefit from playing with blinking, beeping toys that "teach." Most of them sign their children up at the age of two or three to attend specialized enrichment programs that claim to boost abilities in science, art, sports, or language. Continue reading »
Our America Series
Finn's & Ginny's parents are lost back in time, and the two young twins have decided to go back to early America to find them. In the first book of The Our America series, The Pilgrim Adventure, they discover that the Pilgrims had far more adventures than they had ever realized. Their second American adventure Continue reading »
Celebrating Christmas With School, Part 2
In a homeschooler's home is where you want to be in December! This month provides so many opportunities for creative, fun learning as families help children prepare for Christmas. But even for home educators, who generally seek to incorporate education into every aspect of life, it's easy to let December come and go in a blur of decorations, parties, gift buying and seasonal events. Don't let it happen to you! Continue reading »
A Homeschool Thanksgiving, Part 2
Thanksgiving can easily become the bump in the road on the way to Christmas, but the holiday deserves special attention and effort in its own right. There are just so many great ways to enjoy this holiday! Continue reading »
A Homeschool Thanksgiving, Part 1
One of the many joys of homeschooling is being able to prepare children for an upcoming holiday, rather than simply being swept away by it. November is the perfect time to take a break from regular studies, or add in some special activities by making Thanksgiving the central focus. With its focus on the character quality of gratitude, rich history, and wonderful family traditions, Thanksgiving lends itself perfectly to being a homeschool theme. Spend some time this month and help children fully understand the history, meaning, and traditions of this holiday, and they will gain valuable information about the beginnings of our nation as well as the importance of being thankful. Continue reading »
5 Easy Ways to Add a Splash of Geography to Your Homeschool
Here are 5 very easy and even enjoyable ways to learn more about our globe without compromising your other studies or losing your kids to utter boredom. Continue reading »
Taking School Outdoors, Part 1
As the weather warms with Spring, mothers everywhere begin singing praises that their children can finally go outside again! After months of being cloistered inside with books and projects, the warmth and sunshine of May brings yet another enjoyable aspect of homeschooling – doing school outdoors! While there’s no doubt that the kitchen table has its merits in the homeschool, taking studies out into the open can bring a world of creative options and invigorated spirits. Continue reading »
Teaching Money Management: Overview (Part 1)
Math, English, History, Writing, Spelling, Science... few would disagree that these should be included in the homeschool curriculum. But one of the unique opportunities homeschooling affords is the ability to train children in areas that go far beyond simply the academic. The ability to manage money can impact a child's future as much as or more than his or her academic knowledge, yet this subject is rarely (if ever) found in a typical public school academic plan. Continue reading »
Weaver Curriculum
The Weaver Curriculum is a unit-based, Bible-centered homeschool curriculum for grades PreK-12th. The curriculum uses the same daily Bible theme as a foundation and then creates lessons for each student. Students are then studying the same main subject at the same time with individual lesson assignment geared to each student's grade level. For example if Continue reading »
Learning Adventures
Learning Adventures is a home-based publishing company that provides unit study curriculum guides and accessories for homeschooling families. It is a multi-age unit study that is best utilized if a family has at least one child in grades 4-8. Features: 180 days of daily lesson plans in each volume A chronological history-based study for grades Continue reading »
TRISMS
TRISMS is designed to teach independent critical thinking and unit study skills. Students direct their own learning with guidance from parents. Students read literature, biographies, historical fiction, cultural studies, and most varieties of reference materials. Course materials come in packages that cover major eras of human history. Each package contains guidance for students and assistance Continue reading »
Draw Write Now
Draw Write Now is an eight-book series with step-by-step drawing instruction and short sentences for writing practice. Each Draw Write Now book is a unit study with 21 directed drawing lessons presented on two pages showing a colorful drawing, four sentences, and step-by-step drawing instructions. The units explore history, geography, natural science, and social studies. Continue reading »
Learning Styles
Homeschoolers have the same challenge as any teacher; how to best teach children according to the ways they best learn. By understanding your child's learning style, you can make learning more enjoyable for him or her, increasing the chances of learning success. Here are some strategies for teaching each type of learner. Continue reading »