United States Capitals and Symbols: Free Homeschooling Online

Lesson Ideas for United States Capitals and Symbols

United States Capitals and Symbols: These activities will help you learn how the United States came to be united. Study the state capitals and symbols with fun online games and free printables. Each of our free online homeschooling lessons includes language arts, social studies, science, and art components. Whenever possible, we also include math and PE. Scroll down for online games and activities. Enjoy!

Elementary and Middle School Social Studies: Grades 3-8

Teacher Resources:

Make your Own Worksheets

Free Common Core Lesson Ideas for grades 3 - 12 from Brainpop.com

Lesson Ideas for the United State symbols for early elementary.

Homeschooling Activities

Student Lesson:

Do this:  While you are studying the state capitals, make an index card for each state. On the front write the state’s name in the CENTER of the card in big, bold letters. 

On the back, write the name of the state’s capital. As you learn facts about each state, draw pictures on the card to represent them. For example, for Indiana decorate your card with the Cardinal (state bird) and Corn (state resource).

Watch this video about how it all began:

Schoolhouse Rock The United States Preamble to the Constitution

Geography

Cartoon: Sing the 50 state capitals with Wakko of Animaniacs.

Click United States Facts for a map of capitals, info on state birds, flowers, and more.  Free Printable Blank Map of Indiana Downloadable Blank Maps of all 50 states.

Now, you're ready to practice what you've learned with this cool Capital Catch Game from kidsgeo.com. Match Capitals with States Online Game.

State capital matching game and quiz from kidsgeo.com.
Click the link above to play game.

History

When did Indiana become a State? ______________________

(Write out the question, and answer it in your daily journal.)

Find out here: Statehood Dates. 

Fun Videos that teach how we became the United States of America:

Video on Boston Tea Party by Schoolhouse Rock: No More Kings




Schoolhouse Rock: The Shot Heard Round the World

Why do we have fireworks on the Fourth of July?

Answer this in your daily journal.

Schoolhouse Rocks: Fireworks

Read How did the American Revolution happen?  If you subscribe to Brainpop, watch the video here.

Grab a piece of paper (or use a Google Doc) and tell how the American revolution happened? Why did it happen?  

Start with this Printable Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer

Because of all of that, America became a melting pot.

How are you doing? Test your knowledge with a State Capitals Quiz.

More about the U.S. Constitution from Brainpop.com (subscribers only).

Art Component

Let’s get messy! Make your own 3D map of the United States activity. You will need tempera paint, flour, salt, water, and some cardboard. Remember: Baking and Making is science too!

See how to do it at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

How to make a 3D United States map with salt dough.
Visit Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Language Arts Component

Grammar Monster explains the difference between capital and capitol.  Be sure to scroll past the quick answer to learn more about capital vs. capitol.

Science Component

What is the state bird for __________________? (fill in your state and bird). Optional: Research why your state bird was chosen.

What is an ornithologist?

Become a bird watcher in your state and Research Birds of the United States. Follow the link to learn about typical and rare birds found in each state. Find out how you can help report rare bird sightings.

Print this: Printable Worksheets for State Birds from Education.com

Did you know the state bird for Delaware is a Rooster, okay a chicken but still… :)

Online Lesson on Ornigthology

State Bird Coloring Sheets for Children from Education.com

Early Elementary Component Pre-K - 3, but suitable for older kids too!

Free Online Quiz and Video on U.S. symbols from Brainpopjr.com

Free online matching game: Match the United States symbols.

Name 3 United States symbols. On a separate sheet of paper, draw the symbols with crayons or markers.

1.___________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________

Social Studies Just for Fun Online Games

Play this fun game from Funbrain.com: Where is that?

From Cool-Mathgames.com: State Snap match the states shape game.

Fun Activity: Collect United States State Quarters. Each quarter has special information about the state it represents.

The U.S. Mint has lots of online games and videos. We've got an online lesson on how to make money - okay, it is really about how they make money at the mint, but how to make money sounds more exciting!

Recommended Reading:

United Tweets of America: 50 State Birds Their Stories, Their Glories

Learn about Presidents of the United States

Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols

The Story of America's Birthday

Soaring with the Wind: The Bald Eagle

A Picnic in October - A story about the Statue of Liberty.

Homeschool Resources: Varun's Quest Review

Great Resource for Homeschoolers

Homeschooling help for parents: Looking for a great resource for homeschoolers? Our website offers many educational resources for homeschoolers. Below is a review of Varun's Quest a wonderful book for homeschoolers of any age. Keep scrolling because we've also added links to our favorite homeschool resources. Enjoy!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I get a small commission.

Jake's Journey in Art includes Language Arts.
Here he reads the beautifully illustrated Varun's Quest by Timothy Goldsmith.

Science Books for Homeschoolers

• We were given the opportunity to review Varun's Quest, which is a wonderful science book for homeschoolers. Varun's Quest is a fictional tale depicting non-fiction science. The story is fun to read aloud as a family or in a group setting with the ideal audience being 2nd - 5th grade. Older children will enjoy reading the story themselves and then sharing the details with "the class."  The author of this creative tale, is Yale Biology Professor, Timothy Goldsmith. Get your copy here: Buy Varun's Quest.

An elf leads children through the story quest while he shares all about the science around us. It starts with an informative science lesson on bees. Jake, enjoys the way the stories unfold and likes that the stories are based on reality. Whenever he isn't sure about something, he Googles to find out more, so these stories have evolved into a full blown science curriculum. He'll write questions in his daily science journal and then look them up later on Google. What a great way to teach science to your homeschooler! For a fun activity, pair this book with Bee Movie.

We used the book as a catalyst for making scientific posters, doing science experiments, and of course, to practice creative writing.

• Our all time FAVORITE Science Books for Homeschoolers are the Life of Fred Science books. These books are great for kids of any age. Parents will enjoy them too. Anyone reading Life of Fred will learn something new!

• Gail Gibbons Encyclopedia Series are a wealth of information for anyone who enjoys reading. All of her books are beautiful illustrated. They cover science, history, and art. While these books may be at a higher reading level for early elementary students, younger children will enjoy looking at the pictures while listening to the stories.

• More Science Stories for Kids.

Homeschool Resources

• Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers is a homeschool blog full of homeschool advice and curriculum.

• More Homeschooling Helps and Curriculum from Kids Creative Chaos.

• TeacherSherpa is a website that offers free printable worksheets in every subject.

• Make Corn Muffins as a Science Project with your Homeschooler

• College Level Entrance Exams for Homeschoolers

• Teachers Pay Teachers is full of teacher created materials for teachers and homeschoolers.

• MobyMax is an online educational app for homeschooling with curriculum that adapts to your child's learning to find and fix gaps.

• Acellus Power Homeschool can be used as an app or as full school with access to teachers.  Check out Acellus Curriculum for Homeschool Students. We currently use the middle school courses. There are lots of classes to choose from including music and art!

• Science and Health Curriculum and Resources for Homeschoolers

• Fair Trade Science Lesson for Homeschool

• Dr. Seuss Resources for Homeschoolers

• Open Letter to Future Homeschoolers

• Homeschool Curriculum Resources and Supplies

• Lewis and Clark online Homeschool History Lesson

• For more homeschool resources follow us on Pinterest!

.

Recommended Reading:

Cave Science Project Model

The Complete Book of Maps and Geography, Grades 3 - 6

The Everything Homeschooling Book: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child

Five easy ways to throw an eco-friendly birthday party for kids

You can have an Eco-friendly, Up-cycled Birthday Party for Kids and save money too!

This guest post is from Kara Carrero at ALLterNATIVElearning. She and her family are passionate about the environment and conservation. In this post, she has ideas on how to throw an eco-friendly birthday party. Enjoy!

The modern birthday has lots of cake, plenty of decorations, and almost always disposable plates and utensils. However, our family strives to find a balance in making birthdays both special and environmentally sustainable. Birthdays don’t have to lose their luster by choosing to not waste or spend a lot of money.

My daughter’s first birthday was this past fall. Like many first time moms, I had anticipated the day it would arrive since she was about 3 months old and planned little bits here and there throughout the year. But my main goal was to throw an exciting and memorable party without trash or excess.

Eco-Friendly  Birthday Party Ideas

1. Use real dishes or compostable paper plates. If you plan it right, it doesn’t have to be a hassle to use real dishes. In fact, having some small Corelle dishes on hand easily pays for itself. They do not break as easily as regular dishes and are easily replaceable or you can add to them. We grew up with them and rarely broke anything and it’s still what my parents use. My 15 month old has thrown one and it didn’t even chip. If you just can’t do that, use real silverware with basic paper plates that break down in the compost or can be recycled. Even here in Oklahoma (not very eco-friendly) we have options for community compost and recycling.

2. Re-use old décor and don’t throw any away. Up-cycle old material for new decorations. We made bunting from old magazines and used paper, and it was really cute! I had a few things from parties from several years ago, so I reused a couple of things. I also had some SOLO cups that I re-wash and use for the kids while adults use our glass cups.

3. Make the birthday about the experience and not the decor Birthdays are about the fun and not about having perfect decorations. We threw a carnival with fun homemade games instead of investing a lot of time and money into party hats, balloons, and streamers. Even growing up, I don’t remember how my parties were decorated, but I definitely remember the fun I had or the silly things that happened. Focus on making the most of the brief time given rather than stressing over the things that won’t be remembered.

4. Make party favors about memories, experiences, and sustainability. We had two different party favors. Her birthday party was specifically a grow theme, we provided small bio-degradable pots to decorate and soil and seeds to grow a small garden. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

We also had a a photo booth. We asked everyone who attended to make an up-cycle costume and take a picture with the frames we provided. They left us their email address so then we emailed them a picture when we sent them an e-thank you card for coming and for gifts.

5. Make the gifts count. I know this sounds a bit presumptuous, but in reality it doesn't have to be. Be clear with your attendees because I have never met someone who didn't appreciate knowing that their gift was well-received. For us, we put a line on the e-vite that read “no gifts necessary, but if compelled to bring something we needed x,y,z”.

These are five easy ways to throw and eco-friendly birthday party, not break the bank, and still have awesome memories with friends and family. For us, it’s just one more step in doing better in making conscious decisions about what we need vs. what we want which has become increasingly important with kids.

For more from Kara visit her site at ALLterNATIVElearning.com

Recommended Reading:

Your Birthday Book: A Keepsake Journal

Birthday Monsters!

 
 -->

Pinterest 1: So, Are you one of the millions of people wondering how do I get on Pinterest?

Pinterest feels like on online gold rush. Everyone's heard of it, but no one really seems to understand it. How do you use Pinterest? How do I get on Pinterest? How do I even spell Pinterest? 

Have you noticed a lot of people spell it "pintrest" which makes me laugh. It seems they don't get the pun.

It's an online scrapbook, journal, photo album, diary... if things are of INTEREST to you, you PIN them onto your boards. Pin + Interest = Pinterest. What could be more simple?

Herein lies the problem. Newbies who log in don't understand how Pinterest works. You either see a big mess of stuff you don't really care about or a few things that are of no interest at all to you. Why?

PINTEREST is exactly the opposite from other social media. Your Facebook friends might be completely boring or visually challenged. These are some of the first people Pinterest suggests that you follow. That's okay, follow them. Maybe the will have a moment of inspiration, if not, you can get kicks out of spying on them.

Oh wait. That was in the past. Now, Pinterest lets you have secret boards. In the old days, I was shocked when complete strangers pinned the picture of the thing I planned to do some day. It felt like an invasion of privacy, and then I got a clue. Now, I'm giving you one!

First of all, I wrote THE book on Pinterest. For reals, I did. Well, I wrote a book or e book. That's right, I wrote an eBook about Pinterest. It is very helpful if you are a Blogger or a brand building a profile.

Then one day, I started building profiles for brands. (Yes, I'd love to do yours ~ let's talk HERE.) Instantly, I realized that not everyone gets it. Not everyone wants everyone else to follow them. Some people just want to find cool pictures, pin them, and save a little brain space. So, how do you get on Pinterest?

I'll answer that and all of these questions over the next few weeks:

• how do i get a pinterest account
• how do i get followers on pinterest
• how do i get recipes from pinterest
• how do i get the pinterest button
• how do i get started on pinterest

Well, the first one is easy. You no longer have to wait to be invited. Click the link to get a Pinterest account with your email address or to get a Pinterest account with your Facebook account. If you are a business go to Pinterest.com and click the "businesses" in the lower right hand corner. Got it? Good.

How do I get followers on Pinterest? Well to get them fast you should read my Pinterest eBook, How to get Pinterest followers fast. If you just want to start amassing followers you MUST follow others. Now that you have an account, click the big Pinterest logo at the top of the page. See anything you like? Click on the image and the pinner will show up underneath the picture. Follow them. Maybe they will follow you back. Maybe they won't. It depends- If they like what they see. Don't like what you see? That's okay, click the gray box with three horizontal lines in the top left hand corner. See a list of topics? Pick your favorite. Now, you should see a thing or two that is INTERESTING to you. 

Now for some secret Pinterest tips. You can choose to follow the pinner who pinned the image you like, but you can also click on the board they pinned it to, for example, "Summer Camp Ideas", click the followers of that board in the strip beneath the header on the right hand side and follow everyone. Why? Those people like the same board that you like. They like things you like. Therefore, they'll likely repin things you like. 

Your Pinterest experience should greatly improve. 

How to get started on Pinterest? Well, you're started now, but you still have a lot to learn. Check back next week for more details on what you can do to join the gold rush. And, yes, MEN should use Pinterest. It has something for everyone. I've got some great Pinterest tips and tricks to share. Some you won't find anywhere else. I've become a Pinterest guru. Hope you'll join me.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

-->

Summer Fun In The Creek: With Indiana Crawfish

Looking for Things to do in Brownsburg, Indiana?

Summer break with the kiddos? Bored already? Looking for a fund summer activity? Visit an Indiana creek. Go hunt some mini Indiana lobsters. One sunny day, we met some friends at a local park in Brownsburg, Indiana. The kids love playing in the creek at Arbuckle Park. On this trip, the girls were out numbered, but Chick a Bitty, showed them a girl could catch crawfish or crawdads (depending on what you called them as you grew up, we were corrected more than once that  they weren't "crawdad's" but crawfish.) She surprised everyone with the biggest catch of the day. Scroll down to catch a glimpse!

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. 

If you click through and make a purchase, we get a small commission.

Brownsburg, Indiana is a quaint, quickly growing town in Hendrick's County on the west side of Indianapolis near Lucas Oil Raceway. It's a great place to raise a family with lots of countryside, good schools, and just a short drive to downtown Indianapolis.

A bucket of Indiana crawfish.

Let your kids document all your fun trips and traveling adventures with a travel journal.

Chick a Bitty's crawfish, crayfish, crawdad, or "lobster" as we called it. 

Recommended Things to do in Brownsburg, Indiana:

• Follow our ADVENTURES on Instagram
• The Park at Trader's Point Christian Church, yes you can go. It's open to the public!
• Sunshine Bowling Center, quaint bowling alley near Brownsburg with Youth Activities.
• Kid Friendly Riding in Brownsburg, Indiana, Hendrick's County Trail Rides.
• Brownsburg Field Trip Idea
• Top Recommended Things to do in Brownsburg by Trip Advisor.
• Indoor Amusement Park with Trampolines, Kids Planet, Brownsburg.

Do you have a Brownsburg activity for kids that you'd like for us to add to the list? Mention it in the comments or send an email to info@theplayconnection.com and learn about our promo and media relations opportunities. In the meantime, get this travel journal for kids on Amazon to document your own adventures.

Moroccan Food Acorn Squash Fall Recipe

This Acorn Squash Recipe with Moroccan Spice give your taste buds a kick. 

Angie shares her favorite spicy recipe. Moroccan Food Rocks. After you use your squash for a fun, Fall Thanksgiving Craft, make this recipe in the kitchen with your kids 

Angie's Recipes at Kids Creative Chaos.

"I made this the other night; 
it has just the right mix of sweet and savory. It is delish!"

Moroccan Spiced Acorn Squash Recipe

2 medium acorn squash (I used 3)
11/2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
¾ tsp salt, divided
½ tsp black pepper
2/3 Cup uncooked wild rice blend
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp Moroccan Rub
1 1/3 Cup water
1/3 Cup Golden Raisins
1 Medium red apple such as fuji (I used Jonagold's)
1 can 15oz. Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas) Drained and rinsed
2/3 C. slivered almonds, toasted and divded
1/3 cup snipped fresh chives
Additional snipped chives (optional)

Preheat oven 450.  Cut squash in half crosswise.  Remove and throw away seeds.  Place squash on Medium sheet pan or Large Bar Pan.  Using basting brush, brush squash with ½ tbsp of oil; sprinkle with brown sugar, ½ tsp of salt and pepper.  Bake 32-38 min or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and put on cooling rack.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in 10in skillet over medium heat 1-3 min or until shimmering.  Add rice blend, onion and rub; cook and stir 1-2 min or until onion is tender.  Add water and raisins; cook covered, 12-15 min or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

Dice apple, zest lemon to measure 1 tsp.  Add apple, lemon zest, chickpeas, ½ cup almonds, chives and remaining ¼ tsp salt to skillet.  Cook covered, 1-2 min or until heated thru.  Spoon rice mixture evenly into squash halves.  Garnish with remaining 2 tbsp almonds and additional snipped chives, if desired.

Cook's Tip: To form flat base, trim ½ in off top and bottom of the squash.

Recommended Reading:

Kids travel journal: my trip to morocco*

Morocco Recipes* 

Heard it on the Playground: Funny Kids Sayings, Quotes, and Stories.

Here's a site where you can list your funny kid's sayings or stories...

Funny Kids sayings, quotes, and stories.

Recommended Reading:

Sayings and Plays

My Kids Say The Funniest Things: A Keepsake Journal of Your Children's Comments, Remarks, and Sayings

Introducing My Kid's Columns

Character Descriptions of the KCC Kids

Kids are full of irony, among other things, and they always seem to have something important to say.  So, I'll be starting a new column series based on the crazy things my kids say.

Meet my real family:

Samantha,  a teenager, dubbed "The Queen of Duh".  A title happily handed down by me. She's sometimes witty, more often socially inept, and always judgemental. "I'd never do that!" She wouldn't, but she's done worse. Join us weekly for "Samantha Says". Gain valuable insight into the teen mind.

Jake, a six-year old going on forty. He's bookish, gamish, and socially amiss. Jake views the world through a refracted lens. He's always ready to explain why your wrong and he's usually right.  Even so, he says the darndest things. Look for "Jake's Jokes", they'll have you laughing out loud.

Amanda, Oh my. My Arch Nemesis. A four-year old with a big personality.  She's spunky, independent, and obstinate. She tells it like she sees it. Be careful, Amanda's advice is not for anyone with fragile psyche. Got a question?  "Ask Amanda".



Recommended Reading:

Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind*

My Quotable Kid: A Parents' Journal of Unforgettable Quotes*
















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Poetry Out of the Mouths of Babes: Jake's Journey in Homeschool

Funny things kids say and write: kindergarten poetry

Kids kindergarten poetry lesson. Write a poem based on a book you've recently read. This is a fun exercise for a homeschooler's daily journal.

"First-Time Baby", Jake's first poem.

My First-born, Straight A++, turned Six in July,
Mini-Adult wrote this beautiful piece of literature.

This was based on a pattern prompt for class, 
"The egg becomes a chicken, The Tadpole becomes a Frog."
Jake took the idea and ran.

Punctuation and Spelling as written. 
Jake describes it as his story but what an awesome poem.


"First-Time Baby"

By C. Jacob (Jake) Wells


First the baby then 2 days old.

Then grow some more then 1 month old.

Then grow some more then 1 yer old.

Then 5 yers old.

Then gorw some more and more and before you know it your a growup.

And your 32 and your 6 Feet tall.

and grow some more and now your 60.

And rite now your sleeping and now your 95

and inside and waching tv.

And now somethig sad happnns

now your dead

under your

gave stone

and that is

the end for you.


Just sayin' with corrections maybe this could win a Pulitzer or at least a poetry competition.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CJW


Recommended Reading:

The Wise Enchanter: A Journey Through the Alphabet

A Dog's Purpose