State Study Notebook

Updated on August 17, 2015:  I have the opportunity to teach a NC History class for grades 4-8th at our Co-op this year.  I have been rearranging the NC Outline and adding pages (that I've made myself) to help me stay organized in my class.  I do have a Class Schedule that I am in the process of making.  Not sure if I want to share all that hard work as of yet since it is not completed & it is a pretty rough sketch.  I tend to add or take away from any set schedule through the year so I may wait until May of 2016 before posting weekly class schedule.  The rest: Outline, Checklist (teacher & student), Table of Contents, Grade Sheet, 1st semester informer (set up using Studies Weekly 4th grade), Book List, Reader/Read Aloud List, and Links page should be enough to get you started on your NC State Study. I plan to print out notebooking pages (from Notebooking pages dot com, listed below, and pages from teachers pay teachers)  I will only post notebook pages that I have created. 

If you don't live in North Carolina, it shouldn't be hard to adapt this to your state!

For my co-op class, I have created a MailChimp Newsletter where I keep all of the forms below, picutres, weblinks, StudiesWeekly log in,  current assignments, and past assignments.  It has really cut down on multiple emails and paperwork.  I highly recommend making an interactive newsletter for your homeschool class.  I have found that it is easier for the students to navigate.  I also included a NC YouTube button where I have chosen NC videos for them to watch.  All they have to do is click on that button and it takes them straight to it!


NC Class Notebook Forms (includes student checklist, class assignment checklist for teacher, Table of Contents, & Notebook Grade Sheet)

Updated 2nd edition NC Notebook Outline

Suggested Books for the Year/Course of Study/Supplies/1st Assignment

1st Semester Informer/ Reader & Read Aloud Sheet/ Internet Links
2nd Semester Informer--Coming Soon 2016

30 Week Class Schedule--Coming Soon 2016

NC State Fast Facts

NC Symbols Slideshow (with videos and picture links)

This activity page went along with the study of NC's symbols!  I ordered a big pack of 30 from Gallopade International.

I also ordered my kids each a laminated NC History Timeline at Gallopade International!

 In class the kids constructed the outline of NC with air dry clay.  They then took it home to let dry for a couple days and decorated them.  Here are just a few of them to give you an idea!  I used this YouTube video in how to mold the clay into the state outline.  It worked marvelously!
Air Dry Clay State Map

I went to N.C. Environmental Education website and ordered all of the River Basin literature and maps for each child in my class.  It is all FREE!  The River booklets are fantastic and chocked full of information!  The map is beautiful!  Here is the link for ordering yours free!  They sent it to me within two - three days!  So thankful!  NC River Basin Booklets and Map

Older version of Outline for State Study....... (most of these resources below are in the updated outline above)

Making an outline of our journey through our state is the only way for us to accomplish this in our school year! This is part of our study in the 4th grade but you can clearly do this for any grade.   First, I gather any books from library, book stores, and amazon that I think I will use to help with information about our state.  Also, check with your local Chamber of Commerce.  Sometimes they will put together a literature packet stocked full of brochures, pamplets, etc. from all over your state.  These are handy resources for your student to go through while organizing their notebook.  We will put all our information in a 3 ring binder with each page inside of a page protector.  My children make a cover page for the outside of their binders with cool stickers from AC Moore.  They also label the binding of their notebook.  I'll try to add a picture of my oldest child's state notebook at the end of this page.  They look amazing when they are completed and they are always enjoyable to look through every year!  Here is just a simple outline that we follow, resources, and websites!  Good luck with your State Adventure.....and don't forget to include your state fieldtrips along with your researching!  I took that opportunity to snap pictures to add to the conclusion of our State Notebook! (If there are any links not working, please leave a comment below....thanks!)

1st edition of NC Notebook Outline

State Study Resources: (This is what we used the first go round....please see added resources in my above Updated NC Outline) 

NC State Unit Study:  There is a state unit study for each of the 50 states.  There are printables and a lot of great information to help you along with your study of the state you choose. 

www.netstate.com (this website is so helpful and has a ton of information for every state)

www.statesymbolsusa.org

www.50states.com

www.usa4kids.com

Digital NC:  This is an awesome resource if you live in NC.  These are materials presented by the NC Heritage Center such a yearbooks, pictures, documents, etc.  Very resourceful if you are studying NC people, history, & culture!

www.notebookingpages.com (they have wonderful notebooking pages on state studies)

Harcourt Social Studies Book (We use the one that pertains to our state and found it at our used book store.  This is the soft book that you can write in.  This is the Geography, History, and Culture Book of our state)  http://www.harcourt.com/bu_info/harcourt_school.html

Seeds of Nation Book

http://laurelwoodbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2123

Arcadia Kids by Kate Boehm Jerome

  This is a wonderful, fun book to add to your study.  They also have the City Books which includes state content as well.

Studies Weekly :  You can order your magazines which come with teacher resources!  These have been wonderful to use with our state study this year!  My child reads one for each week.  There are little activities in each one!  Fourth grade Studies Weekly is all about your STATE you are in! 

We use the library as much as possible.  There are so many resources online with videos and games, too.  Also try your local PBS station or PBS online.  I found videos about our state.