What state do we live in?
*Let children take turns identifying your state on the map.
State Song (Jodie Slusher -Tune: “Farmer in the Dell”)
Virginia is our state.
Virginia is our state.
Richmond is our capitol.
Virginia is our state.
*Insert your state's name and capitol in the song.
My World (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
In this song, you’ll have to fill in the name of your school, city, state, country, continent, and planet.
The name of my school is ___, ___, ___.
The name of my school is ___.
That’s the name of my school.
The name of my city is...
The name of my state is...
The name of my country is United States…
The name of my continent is North America…
The name of my planet is Earth…
My State Book
Make a state book based on your state flower, animal, famous people, state bird, capitol, flag, insect, famous places, etc. Children can become EXPERTS about their state.
For example: New Hampshire, New Hampshire, what do you see?
I see the Capitol in Concord looking at me.
Capitol in Concord, what do you see?
I see the purple lilac looking at me…
Mapping Ideas
*Ask children to point to the states as you discuss them.
What state were you born in? Ask your parents what state they were born in.
Follow your favorite team (football, baseball, basketball, etc.) Who are they playing this week? Walk your fingers from your state to where the game will be played.
What states are your neighbors?
What country is north of the USA? What country is South?
What does the blue color on the map represent?
Where are the Hawaiian Islands? Where is Alaska? Are they attached like the other states?
Point to the north, south, east, and west on the map.
Directions
Label the walls in your classroom with "north," "south," "east," and "west." Sing this song to the tune of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" as you point to the words. Face "north" as you begin.
The sun is setting in the west, uh-huh, uh-huh. (Point with left hand.)
My nose is north. (Point in front of you.)
My tail is south. (Point behind you.)
And so I turn myself around (Turn around.)
And the sun keeps rising in the east.
Uh-huh, uh-huh.
Hint! Take children outside in the morning. Point where is the sun coming up with your right hand. That direction is east. Point to the opposite direction with your left hand. That direction is west. Your face is north and your back is south.
