Our 50 States

The main Our 50 States book is a full-color, richly illustrated hardcover that includes the lessons to read and instructions for using the other components. You do not need a separate teacher's manual.

Our 50 States has 104 lessons for use during one school year (26 units of 4 lessons each). After you read each lesson, you can choose the assignments you want your child to complete. For example, you might expect a 4th grader to do all of the suggested assignments while a 1st grader might only complete a few. The choice is yours.

You will spend two days studying each state, plus two days on Washington, D.C., and two days on the five major U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Students can read the richly illustrated lessons on their own, or you can read the lessons aloud.

The first lesson for each state introduces kids to a variety of places and topics important to that particular state. The second lesson features a song from that state's history and a story that focuses on a real person, a real family, or a real place that is part of the fabric of that state. We have produced audio recordings of all the songs in Our 50 States, which you can stream or download as part of your purchase.

For example, in Ohio you learn how a young farmhand discovered the spectacular Ohio Caverns. In South Carolina, you meet a Gullah family and learn about their faith in Jesus. You also get to hear a Gullah song.

As they study Our 50 States, students will complete their own Atlas Workbook. For each state, they will illustrate one geographic term that relates to that state. They will also complete simple map activities to reinforce what they have learned about that state. A simple Lesson Review book offers questions about the lessons and tests about each region.

Each week we also provide instructions for a family activity related to the region you are studying. These projects include crafts, recipes, and other hands-on activities.

Table of Contents and Sample Lessons

Our 50 States Curriculum Package

The Curriculum Package includes four books:

• Our 50 States (main lesson book)
• Our 50 States Atlas Workbook
• Our 50 States Lesson Review
• Our 50 States Answer Key and Literature Guide

You can use the lesson book and answer key with one child or multiple children studying together. If you are using the curriculum with more than one child, you can purchase additional Atlas Workbooks or Lesson Review books separately.

Our 50 States Literature Package

We recommend seven literature titles to go along with the lessons. Each book is assigned at a particular point in the course and focuses on a different region of the country. All seven titles are available for purchase individually or as a package.

• Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson (New England)
• The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz (Mid-Atlantic)
• Soft Rain by Cornelia Cornelissen (South)
• The Story of George Washington Carver by Eva Moore (Midwest)
• The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (Rocky Mountains)
• Philip of Texas by James Otis (Southwest)
• The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver by Thornton Burgess (Pacific)

The literature complements the lessons in the curriculum, but you do not have to read these specific books to understand the lessons. If you have already read some of these books, we have some alternative literature suggestions for you.

Just the Right Length

"My kids are 9, 8, and 7, and the lessons are just the right length for them. The kids are excited every day to discover which state we're going to read about, are counting down to the states that they know, and ask me to do their reading on the weekends." (Melissa P., Idaho)

Absolute Favorite Subject

"This is now [my kids'] absolute favorite subject, and they actually CHEER when I say 'Pull out your geography!' Every subject should be like this! Thank you for putting together such an amazing program." (Sabrina F., Kentucky)

Rich and Well-Planned

"The beauty and organization of Our 50 States has been such a blessing in our family this year. My son is really enjoying learning, and I love teaching! The added book selections have been so rich and well-planned!" (Christina A., California)

Asking Me to Do More Geography

"Once we began the lessons my two boys cannot get enough. They are asking me to do more geography and even asking to do their geography on weekends. I have a kindergartner and a 2nd grader, and now I am wondering how quickly we will get through the curriculum and how sad they will be when it is done!" (Michelle K., Indiana)