Welcome to Massachusetts! We’re doing great on our Road Trip USA trek this year and the kids are doing great learning about our wonderful USA!
We started off this week with the Teeny Tot quizzing everyone on the states they’ve learned so far. Then she located Boston, MA on our Wall Map for all to see. Actually, she located Virginia, but we all clapped and told her she did good so she’d get down and let someone else have a turn.
Here are some of the things we learned about this week:
- Located Boston, MA on our Wall Map
- Read National Geographic US Atlas and located Boston, MA using the mapping grid
- Learned about the state flag
- State Bird: The Black Capped Chickadee
- State Flower: The Mayflower
- State Horse: The Morgan Mare
- State Sport: Basketball
- US Presidents from MA: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy
- Learned about Johnny Appleseed
- Additional Reading: Who was Johnny Appleseed? By Joan Holub
- Learned about Benjamin Franklin
- Additional Reading: Who was Benjamin Franklin? By Dennis Brindell Fradin
- We continued reading If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution
- We reviewed the first two verses of the next verse to our 50 States and Capitals Song
- State Food: The Boston Crème Pie, and Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies!
- Added the Morgan Mare and Black Capped Chickadee to our animal wall.
Of course we added our Massachusetts flag to our Travel Log:
We learned about the state symbols and places of MA then the kids colored their MA worksheets.
They took turns locating Boston, MA in our Atlas using the mapping grid locations to practice their mapping skills.
I found these fun United States bulletin board pieces at a local Teacher Supply store a few years back. It’s made by Creative Teaching Press. I’m sorry, I can’t find the link for it, so I’m not sure it’s still around.
We added the Morgan Horse and Black Capped Chickadee to our animal wall:
And that wraps up our Massachusetts study! If you’d like to come along with us on our Road Trip USA journey, click the image below to learn more!
LOL at the TT..story very funny! Definitely something my daughter would do. Great Week!
I just love all your pictures and hands on ideas! Your kids will remember these states for a long time.
I have a first grader…would this be okay for him or should I wait until he is older?
Hi Sharon,
If he is your only one, you’d probably be fine, although I recommend starting with Expedition Earth World Geography as it’s a little better for younger grades. Then move to Road Trip USA, there are a lot of facts in it, so I think he’d retain more if you waited a year or two! :o) Here’s the link for the World Geo: http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/world-geography
Having grown up in MA, I have to say this is great! But wait, no clam chowdah? lol!
One change I would make, however, is learning about Ben Franklin here. I know he was born in MA, but the people of MA don’t really appreciate this. I would move Franklin to PA. He lived in Philly for most of his adult life and the people of Philly ADORE Franklin! Seriously, if you can afford a trip to Philly it will be well worth it!