Welcome to the Eight For Each State US Geography tour. I am so glad you are joining us.
As you take your own US Geography tour there will be states you are more excited about than others. I do hope however, that each state you study will leave you feeling like you would actually enjoy a trip there someday.
Connecticut was like that for me. It is a small state, with Massachusetts to the north it gets a bit lost in the hubbub that is Boston, and Plymouth. However, below you will find eight great resources that helped us to appreciate one of the smaller states, Connecticut.
This is part of our Eight for Each State series on U.S. Geography. Subscribe via email for a new state study each week.
Also, don’t forget to scroll all the way to the end for your free state scrapbook printable!
1. N is for Nutmeg, A Connecticut Alphabet
The State by State Alphabet series is a great way to start off any state! We especially enjoyed N is for Nutmeg. Each book has a different author and illustrator. Each book is great and slightly different. Check out the free teacher’s guides as well.
After reading this great US Geography book, the girls wanted to know what Nutmeg was. I love fresh grated nutmeg and had some to show them! Get yours here or at your local grocer.
2. YouTube Videos for Connecticut
All my kids really enjoy watching a video when we begin our study on Monday. It helps them to get a nice overview of what the books and other projects will reinforce.
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- US Embassy Video for Connecticut – This set of videos really are fun. I love that the ambassador is actually from the state they are telling you about. (Caution towards the end of this video as there may be content you do not wish to discuss with your child at this time. Best to view if without them first.)
- Socratica Video for Connecticut – My girls think that these are the best! We all enjoy this very short but informative introduction to our states.
3. Phineas T. Barnum
We learned in N is for Nutmeg that Phineas T. Barnum of Barnum and Bailey fame was from Bridgeport. He even served as Mayor! Catholic Missionary Family directed us to this delightful circus craft that my girls just loved.
We also read Jumbo by Rhoda Blumberg, a fun story about the famous elephant from Barnum’s circus and his trainer. Harold’s Circus is always fun with the little folks around here as well.
4. Inventions
According to the US Embassy video from above, Connecticut has more patents per capita than any other state! Eli Whitney and his cotton gin were from Connecticut. Some other inventions are the Frisbee, Pez candy, the lollipop, can openers, submarines and even the toothpaste tube.
Try to see what wacky inventions you can find that came from Connecticut. Consider inventing something of your own, or improving on something.
Check out Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors by Susan Casey for help.
5. Charles Ives
In N is for Nutmeg (you can see how great these books are!) we learned about this famous American composer. Listen to Three Places in New England, Symphony #5: New England Holidays and check out Circus Band!
N Is For Nutmeg: A Connecticut AlphabetJumboHarold’s CircusKids Inventing! A Handbook for Young InventorsWhat Charlie HeardThe Extraordinary Music of Mr. Ives: The True Story of a Famous American ComposerThe United States Cookbook: Fabulous Foods and Fascinating Facts From All 50 StatesThe MoffatsConnecticut (Hello U.S.A.)Connecticut Facts and Symbols
Here are a couple of interesting picture books on Charles Ives
- What Charlie Heard by Mordicai Gerstein
- The Extraordinary Music of Mr. Ives: The True Story of a Famous American Composer by Joanne Stanbridge
6. The United States Cookbook – Election Cake!
This is the neatest little cookbook. I love all of the snippets of food lore they have for every state. There is enough information in each of the recipes for us to change recipes if we need to due to food allergies or preferences.
This week we made Election Cake! This cake was served on election day in colonial times. Here is a great timeline and history of these cakes. There is also a recipe at the bottom that is similar to the one in the book. This was delicious!
7. Hamburgers
Also according to The United States Cookbook the first hamburger was probably sold in New Haven. I liked A Shower of Roses’ idea of making Red Robin (the state bird) hamburgers! We had such a great time as a family preparing this meal!
8. Other books for Connecticut
- The Moffats by Elanore Estes – Oh’ the giggles and laughter from this read aloud were enough to encourage me to read chapter after chapter to the girls. The setting, Cranbury, just outside of New Haven, was enough of an excuse for us to include this in our US Geography study.
- Hello USA Connecticut by Amy Gelman – A great set for Ruth to use for her notebooking pages
- Connecticut Facts and Symbols by Emily McAuliffe – A great set for Sarah Joan to use with her notebooking pages from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom. I have to tell you that I am liking these pages more and more! They are fantastic for the K-2 crowd who just may not be ready to do a ton of writing and research yet.
- The Connecticut Colony by Kevin Cunningham – Ruth is really enjoying these books that take a look at just a small section of colonial history.
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