The Fifty States of America is a popular notebooking topic. It can be the basis of a unit study, or it can be a supplement to your American history curriculum. When you're finished, you have a wonderful, homemade reference book.
American Symbols
Mount Rushmore
Uncle Sam
The Liberty Bell
The Lincoln Memorial
Iwo Jima Memorial
Eagle
What to Put in Your State Notebook
Your notebook will be at least 50 pages -- one for each state. But what exactly will you put on that page? Look at the list below for ideas.
You may want to have two, three, or even more pages per state after you see all the great, free resources on the Internet.
For more ideas on planning your 50 states study, see this State Unit page.
If you're planning for an independent learner (middle or high school), Accelerated Christian Education's PDF state study may be the perfect guide for him to create a state notebook on his own.
State Map -- Consider if you want a simple outline map, a physical map detailing the geography of the state, or a political map labeling the major cities.
State Motto
State History Overview -- Do you want a simple list of events? Should you include the date of statehood?
State Tree, Bird, Rock, Fish, Flower, and more-- Do you want just the name or also a picture?
Famous People from the State
Important Places and Tourist Attractions
State Flag
Origin of the State's Name -- many have very interesting stories behind them. Check an almanac for the stories.
State Nickname(s) and significance
State-by-state Guide
United States Of America
Most of us teachers and homeschoolers are book lovers. It's hard to plan a unit study without at least a couple of reference books as a basis. Here is a good choice to consider.
Need it now? CurrClick offers immediate download of ebooks including unit studies to lapbooks to notebooking pages.
State-by-state Guide (United States Of America)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/11/2009)
The 50 states are arrange alphabetically. Each state features a large labeled map as the visual center for each page, around which are arrayed fact snippets that range from state birds, trees, population, landforms, famous citizens, and endangered species.
Online Examples & Products
Visit these links to see what a 50 States Notebook can look like or to buy some notebooking pages.
- RETAIL --50 States Notebooking Pages Set
- This retail set is beautiful. Visit this page for samples and you'll see for yourself! Although it's priced at a bit under $20, you may find the price well worth the effort of creating your own or hunting resources online.
- EXAMPLE --Marine Corp Nomads -- Our United States Lapbook
- This family used a lapbook format for their 50 states study. Beautiful!
- EXAMPLE --Learning by Living Blog
- This homeschooling family has put a twist on the 50 States Notebook -- it's a combination lapbook/notebook. To see an example of a specific state's section, see their TN lapbook.
- EXAMPLE & RETAIL -- Notebooking Nook's State Pages
- Here is a set of photos that show off Notebooking Nook's State sets. These are sold at CurrClick by individual states and in a complete 50 states set.
American License Plates
For more license plates, state by state, visit Green Earth Office Supply.
Online Reference
Your state study can be done completely with online resources! Try these sites for a wealth of information.
- 50 States.com
- From the main menu list of the states, you can reach a massive list of other links particular to each state. There is enough information here to create multiple notebooking pages on each state.
- Our 50 Great States Email Newsletter
- Our 50 Great States is an email course. Sign up for the program and learn about all 50 states in the order they were admitted to the Union. At the end of 25 weeks (2 states per week), you'll have a United States Notebook filled with information about each state; and, if you're up for the challenge, you will try recipes from all 50 states.
State Flowers
For a list of each state's official flower, see the flower page at 50 States.com.
Lilac -- NH
Magnolia - LA and MS
Showy Lady's Slipper -- MN
Columbine -- CO
Poppy -- CA
Dogwood -- NC and VA
Free Printables
This is what you want -- the free stuff!
- State Notebooking Page -- PDF
- This blank template from Notebooking Nook is hosted at mediafire. Another option is to download it from HSLaunch.
- My Own State Notebooking Page Template
- I custom made this notebooking page (letter size) for our own fifty states notebook. It's a two page document which you can print front and back. Or you can do as we did and print it onto two pages of sturdy cardstock. On the blank backs we attached state postcards.
This same template in A4 size is here. - State Notebooking Pages
- Another layout for state notebooking pages, offered free by a homeschool mom.
- Crayola's State Pages
- These coloring pages are very well designed. Each one has the state flag, the name of the state, the state bird, and one other distinguishing symbol.
Crayola also offers a flashcard template with each state's outline and some facts. - State Reports
- This site gives most of the state information in the form of attractive printables. Each one is offered in PDF format or HTML format. I especially like the state stamp images which come from the USPS Greetings from America postcard and stamp series.
- 50 State Quarters Program
- The US Mint offers these free educational lessons, including reproducibles! What a great addition to a state notebook!
If you want one download that has images of all 50 coins, use this PDF link. - Notebooking Pages Freebies
- Free outline maps for each state, a list of states and abbreviations, and an entire set of US Geography pages which go along with the popular audio recording Geography Songs.
- Homeschool Share US Geography Resources
- Homeschool Share is a fabulous site for notebookers or lapbookers! This page has printable templates for State Symbols Tab Books, and Where is....? Shutterfold Books. You can also find State Flower and Bird Coloring Pages.
- School Express
- Although this site is not very attractive with its overabundance of ads, there may be something worth printing here. Each state has a cover sheet (outline map), fact sheets, a wordsearch puzzle, a comprehension question worksheet, etc.
- State Flags
- Click on the LARGE link to the right of each state. That will result in a simple, black and white outline of the state flag.
- Friends Across America
- A coloring page for each state's bird and flower as well as other American symbols and places.
- Worksheet Works
- This worksheet generator site is in its beta stage. I suspect that later this will be a for cost site. But it's free right now! Look for states and capitals pages, state maps, and regions of USA.
- State Stickers
- Print these full color pages onto adhesive paper for DIY stickers! These are very attractive circular stickers with the outline of the state and its year of statehood.
- Fact File -- Patriotic Symbols
- This attractive PDF has simple line drawings and easy to read explanations for several American symbols -- Uncle Sam, the Great Seal, and more. This would make a great notebooking page for your 50 States Notebook.
- State Automobile License Plates
- This website features color images of each state's standard license plate. These would make an interesting addition to a state notebook page!
- Homeschool Helper's Free State Lapbook Templates
- These free printable minibooks can be used to make a state lapbook. Or add some of the minibook options to your notebook by affixing them to the notebook pages. Want to see a preview of these minibooks? Visit this Picasa Web Album.
Homeschool Helper also has a 50 States Unit Study with worksheets for each state. - The 50 States - Elementary Worksheets
- Outline map graphics plus handwriting practice.
- State Lessons, Facts, and Photo Tours
- Right now not all 50 states are covered. But the website says more will be added. However, scroll to the bottom of the page for some free printables:
* List of US States and Capitals
* State Nicknames - Flash Cards
* State Flowers - Flash Cards
* State Dates Admitted to Union - Flash Cards
* US State Capitals - Flash Cards with Maps
* State Map Worksheet
* Blank Map of the USA - State Study Notebooking Page
- A freebie hosted at Scribd.
- Megan's 50 States Notebooking Pages
- Look for her PDF titled General U.S. 50 States notebooking pages (2). It's a very nicely done two page spread!
- Homeschool Views The Fifty Nifty United States
- Use these great printables to help teach your homeschoolers about the important role that every one of the fifty states plays in order to make up our great country. Each state has a map page, a flag page to color, and a fact worksheet.
- The United States of America Travel Guide
- One page for each state, complete with the name of the state, and a nice layout for notetaking.
- State by State American Flag Lapbook
- Make a stars and stripes lapbook with these minibook templates. A freebie from Trying to Walk Wisely.
American States Lapbook
For more inspiration, visit these great photos of a States Lapbook and a 50 States Notebook hosted at Flickr.
Smart About the Fifty States
Smart About the Fifty States (Smart About History)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/11/2009)
The kids in Ms. Brandt's class create a special report on the United States of America, with each child doing research on ten states. There's a double-spread map of the whole U.S. and a page for every state jam-packed with trivia, interesting facts, handwritten captions, and jokes. At the end of the book is a map showing how the United States grew over time, a spread on the presidents and what states they hailed from, as well as a "bibliography" of books the kids used in their research. Written by a team of well-known author/artists, this 64-page Smart About History book is a great guide for kids.
State Birds
These images come from the State Birds group at Flickr.
For a list of each state's official representative bird, see the bird page at 50 States.com.
Cardinal --IL, IN, KY, NC, OH, VA, WV
Northern Mockingbird -- AR, FL, TN, MS, and TX
Bluebird -- ID, NV, MO, and NY
Brown Thrasher -- GA
Chickadee -- MA, ME
Quail -- CA
State Birds
State Birds Stickers and Seals: 50 Full-Color Pressure-Sensitive Designs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
I own this very lovely book. The stickers are attractive and realistic drawings. There is one for every state, even multiple versions of the cardinal, a very popular state bird.
Learning the 50 States with the Little Man in the Map
The Little Man In the Map: With Clues To Remember All 50 States
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/11/2009)
For lots of reviews of this product, visit Homeschool Crew. In the Mr. Linky there are dozens of reviews.
The Little Man in the Map
This video will show you the concept behind the book. It looks totally clever and will work wonderfully for your visual learners!
Living Books
for each state
- 50 States Book List
- This is a great list of living books to go with each state. According to the website, "books were selected based on story setting or author's home (past or present)."
- State by State Booklist
- Another book list, this one offered by the National Education Association.
Mail Projects
of the 50 states
Incorporate some writing into your study by requesting printed materials or by exchanging postcards with other families. When the mail starts coming to your home, your children will be thrilled! The full color materials will add interest to your state notebook.
- Travel and Tourism Sites for the 50 States and U.S. Territories
- This official US government page has a link for every state's official tourism office. Visit each site and request free information! The free brochures, maps, postcards, and posters can be used in your notebook.
- Postcard Kids Yahoo Group
- This group is especially for homeschoolers who want to trade postcards. Many collectors here are looking for a postcard from each state. Then those postcards can be used in a state notebook. Some people ask for map cards; others ask for state capitol houses. Still others don't care; they just want something representative from your state.
Online Fun and Games
- Ben's Guide
- Benjamin Franklin is a cartoon guide on this interactive games page. Play Place the State, a map game or color some American symbols.
- Sheppard Software
- Enjoy these online geography games while you review the placement of the 50 states.
- Explore the States
- More information than games, but this would be a great site for an upper elementary child to do some online research about each state.
- 50 States Puzzle
- From Jigga-Jigga.com. Drag states where they belong with your mouse.
- States & Capitals Mnemonics
- Click on a state and see a drawing and explanation of a silly mnemonic for remembering the capital city of that state.
Scrambled States Game
Scrambled States
Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 12/11/2009)
Used Price:
This game is GREAT! It's the perfect combination of fun and learning. My daughter and I have learned so much from this game -- geography, state nicknames, and capitals.
Hands on State Projects and Games
- Salt Dough Maps
- Choose a state or two and make a salt dough map. Creating the landforms with his own hands really helps to cement the geography into your child's mind. We made one of Alabama. This link will show you how we did it.
- States and Capitals Memory Card Game
- This is a free printable matching game to help you learn the states' capitals.
- Spectatular State Studies
- This Scholastic article has some great ideas for hands-on projects that would fit any state! There is even a free printable to go along with one of the ideas.
Reader Feedback
I hope that you found what you wanted for your American States unit study.
Feel free to leave a comment.
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- Theresa Theresa Nov 4, 2009 @ 10:04 am
- Just wanted to say thank you for putting everything I needed to help my kids do a states notebook into one page!! Amazing!
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- azpoppy azpoppy Sep 10, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
- Wow! You have everything in one place. I didn't know there was so much state-related stuff out there. 5*
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- CoolFoto CoolFoto Sep 9, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
- Congrats on being in Squidoo 100 list! This looks like a great homeschool project.
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- monarch13 monarch13 Sep 1, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
- Great resources and info! Rolled to "Proud American Symbols".
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Aug 17, 2009 @ 5:14 am
- Welcome to the Back to School Group Lensography.
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