Recommended Weekly Schedule
                                             (Updated May, 2008)

Day 1
    1. Introduce state
        a. Name - have child write the state name.
        b. Find state on Map of the United States Sticker Picture. Apply state sticker
            and identify the capital. (It's beneficial to review capitals each week.)
        c. Find state in the United States Coloring Book. Locate capital and color star red. 
           Identify and trace the rivers with blue color. Read interesting facts listed about
           the state.  Finish coloring the rest of the page as desired using Don't Know Much
          About the 50 States as a reference for coloring the state flower and bird.
    2. Read appropriate pages in Don't Know Much About the 50 States.

Day 2
    1. Review and write state name and capital.
    2. Learn state abbreviation by printing name of state with abbreviation letters
        capitalized or in different color. ex. KansaS
    3. Find state in the Kid's Road Atlas.  Use this opportunity to review directions.
        (Ex. Which state is north of Kansas? Kansas is north of _________?) 
        Use the Map of the United States Sticker Picture  to expand awareness of
        coast-to-coast directions.  (Ex: If I'm in Kansas, what direction is the Atlantic Ocean?)
    4. Read appropriate library book.

Day 3
    1. Review name, capital, abbreviation. Label copy of U.S. map with abbreviation.
    2. Write a sentence or paragraph of facts learned.
    3. Read state story in It Happened in America or appropriate library book.
    4. Play the Fact Pack card game.

Day 4 - optional
    1. Cooking! Prepare suggested state recipe from The United States Cookbook.
        This is a most enjoyable activity! It can also be scheduled on Day 1-3 or combined
        with another week's study.
    2. Read appropriate library book.
    3. Play the Fact Pack card game.

While this schedule worked well for us, it also allows a lot of flexibility as you tailor it to the
needs of your family. Although it suggests reading 3 books, at times we read only 1 or 2
books depending on what books were available, and whether or not there were any
                               unscheduled interruptions in our week.  

                                       Build a States Notebook Keepsake!
 For an organized yet simple approach for compiling color pages and composition, each
student can build their own notebook!  Simply using a 70 page spiral notebook or three
               ring binder, a colorful keepsake can be built as each state is added. 
                             What a fun way to remember this special study!

            a.  Copy state color page.  Color as desired.

            b.  If using a spiral notebook, trim color page to fit notebook and glue to left side
                 of open notebook leaving right side for optional writing opportunities.

            c.  If using a three ring binder, simply three hole punch color page and place in
                binder.  Follow with optional writing page.

            d.  Copy U.S. map (pg. ix). Trim and glue to inside cover of spiral notebook or
                 three hole punch for three ring binder (See Day 3, #1).