California

Well August is over so it's time for our monthly state report.  This month we studied California.  




(excellent state coloring page from crayola.com, we have done one like this every month)

 

California was pretty interesting.  One of the first books we read was called Baby Whale Rescue: The True Story of J.J.  It was about a baby whale that was discovered alone off the coast of California.  She was taken to Sea World and cared for until she was too big to keep.  The kids found it very interesting.  The next one was a bigger hit with Caleb - it was Breakout!  Escape from Alcatraz.  Rob and I went to Alcatraz on our honeymoon and we have pictures of each of us behind bars.  I showed the kids the pictures and they demanded some explanations! 

Another thing we have done each month is a craft using the outline of the state.  I started out cutting out the shape of the border and letting them color a pattern underneath, but for the last 2 states we've made a collage from travel books.  I think that has turned out nicer and reinforced what they'd been learning about the state.

For our California meal we had San Diego style fish tacos.  It was really pretty easy to make.

Annalise approved :)

I served pinto beans on the side.  They grow pinto beans in California, but that's not the only place they grow, I just thought it would go well with tacos.

And for dessert!  Earthquake cookies!

Ok Ok, they are chocolate crinkles, but I like calling them Earthquake Cookies better.  There is an actual Earthquake Cake, but it called for a lot of ingredients I did not have on hand. 

A lot of people have asked me what I am using for our state studies or what I expect the kids to learn.  We are just getting videos and books from the library and requesting travel brochures online.  I expect them to learn where the state is and get a general idea of its shape.  Beyond that I hope they find one or two unique things about that state that interests them.  I am learning a lot of interesting things myself!