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Missouri Matters

published on: 2/28/2003

Contributing Teacher(s): Kathy Davis, Kathy Barr

Subject Area: Social Studies/MO History

Grade Range: Lower Elementary (K-3), Upper Elementary (4-5)

Materials Needed: See each activity for materials needed

Objective: See each activity for its objective

Process Standards:

• Goal 1.10 apply acquired information, ideas and skills to different contexts as students, workers, citizen

Content Standards:

• Social Studies 2. Continuity and change in the history of Missouri, the United States and the world

  Time Allowance: NA

  Description: A fully integrated unit of activities on the state of Missouri.

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  Classroom Component: This Unit was presented at Interface ''98. It is a fully integrated unit on Missouri History. You can view the entire document by scrolling down, or you can see each component by clicking on the blue link. If you wish to print this unit, simply hit print on your browsers tool bar and it will print all 16 pages in order. MISSOURI MAMMALS IDENTIFICATION GAME OBJECTIVE: Identify common Missouri mammals based on oral clues Identify common Missouri mammals from pictures MATERIALS:

  • Pictures of Missouri Mammals glued to 5 X 8 index cards
  • Mammal Clue Cards
  • Pair of dice or a spinner with numbers 2 - 11
  PROCEDURE:
• Display MO. Mammal Picture Cards on bulletin board or chalk tray.
• The first player (A) rolls the dice and calls out the number rolled.
• The clue next to that number is read.
• If the mammal is guessed from the first clue 10 points are scored. If the mammal is not guessed correctly play continues with the next player (B) rolling the dice and calling out the number. If the mammal is correctly identified 9 points are scored.
• Play continues as follows:
  • Player C - 8 points
  • Player D - 7 points
  • Player E - 6 points
  Play continues to the next player with the number of points possible being reduced by one each time until there are only three clues left, then a correct answer is worth only one point.
• If a player rolls the dice and repeats a number, that clue is read again.
• The player to identify the correct name of the mammal may earn 5 bonus points by correctly identifying the picture of the mammal.
• The player with the highest number of points at the end of the game or when time is up, wins the game.
NOTES: Teams may play instead of individuals. Clues from previous players may not be repeated. A player may guess only when it is his/her turn. COVERED WAGON ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES:
• Measure and draw the dimensions of a covered wagon.
• Calculate the perimeter, area, and volume of the covered wagon.
• Identify items that a typical pioneer family would take with them when moving.
• Estimate the dimensions of the larger items (trunks, barrels, table,chest of drawers,etc.) and draw a pattern for each object.
• Determine the radius, diameter, and circumference of round objects (barrels, wagon wheel, butter churn, etc.).
• Determine the area, volume, and perimeter of rectangular objects(trunks,table, chest of drawers, etc.)
MATERIALS:
• yardstick, tape measure, masking tape
• large pieces of drawing paper for patterns
• string, scissors
• if possible, a barrel or trunk to help students comprehend the size of the objects
PROCEDURE:
• Using yardsticks or tape measure students measure the length and width of a covered wagon. (Covered wagons vary in size, but a typical wagon would be 10’ x 4’.)
• Outline the dimensions of the covered wagon on the floor with masking tape. (This can also be drawn with chalk on the playground or sidewalk.
• The students can then determine the perimeter and area of the covered wagon. After deciding how deep the wagon would be, the students could then figure the volume.
• Encourage the students to brainstorm and generate a list of items which a typical pioneer family would take with them when moving. The list might include barrels, sacks of seed and flour, tools, cooking utensils (kettle, spider, pots,etc.) lantern, shotgun, clothing, quilts, chest of drawers,trunks, table, butter churn, pot belly cook stove, washtub and board.
• The students can then estimate the size of the larger items, draw the perimeter of each object on a large piece of paper, and cut them out.
• The students can determine the radius, diameter, and circumference of the round objects. (A string can be used to find the circumference.)
• Students can also calculate the area, volume and perimeter of rectangular object. (trunk, table, etc.)
• The students should then discuss how they would arrange a l l the objects to fit into the wagon. They should consider which items would be needed as the family is traveling. Where should items be placed so that they can be easily reached when needed? Which items will not be needed until the family reaches their destination? If all the items do not fit in the wagon, which items should the family leave behind?
• The students should then pack their covered wagon by arranging the necessary items using the paper patterns.
QUILTS Quilts can be used a a part of the Missouri unit in many ways. We first discuss quilts historically. Quilts were a necessity in pioneer days. Most everyday quilts were very simple patterns that used scraps of cloth. The Missouri Puzzle quilt is an example of a more complex pattern. After students color a 6 block-by- 6 block Missouri Puzzle quilt we discuss fractional parts, geometric figures, equivalent fractions, and symmetry. Students demonstrate their skill at following directions on the Missouri Star pattern. We discuss and find right, acute, and obtuse angles. The nine-patch quilt is mentioned in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books and is an example of a simple, everyday quilt pattern. We make either actual sewn nine-patch quilt blocks or blocks from wallpaper. There are many excellent books dealing with quilts that can be read aloud, such as The Quilt Block History of Pioneer Days by Mary Cobb,Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt by L.C. Ernst, and The Quilt Story by Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola. After reading some of these books a quilt display might be arranged. Quilts also lend themselves to bulletin board displays. Autograph or friendship quilts make nice bulletin boards. If possible have someone bring a real friendship quilt and discuss the how they were made and the reasons they were made. MISSOURI COOKIES OBJECTIVES
• Students will be able to measure ingredients and follow the directions of the recipe.
• Students will be able to locate the MO River, Mississippi River, major cities, mountains and other land forms.
• Students will mark locations on the cookie map.
MATERIALS:

flour brown sugar baking soda salt ginger vinegar cloves

egg cinnamon molasses margarine chocolate chips red hots blue and black icing in a tube

PROCEDURE
• Students read the recipe, assign jobs, and decide what to do in sequence.
• Students measure and make dough.
• Students cut out MO shape and decorate.
• Decorate using chocolate chips for highest areas, blue icing for rivers, red hot for capitol, black icing for major cities,etc.
NOTE This is a great way to learn about where things are located in MO. You could substitute a cinnamon dough or a salt and flour dough for the Gingerbread Cookie Recipe. MISSOURI COOKIES (GINGERBREAD COOKIES)

3 1/2 c flour 1/2 c brown sugar, packed 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ginger 1 1/2 tsp vinegar

1/4 ground cloves 1 egg 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 c molasses 1/2 c margarine

Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cloves and cinnamon; NOSET aside. Cream margarine, sugar and salt; add vinegar, egg, and molasses. Stir in dry ingredients. Wrap dough and chill overnight. Divide dough in parts. Work with one part at a time leaving the rest in the refrigerator. Roll dough on floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with floured cutter; place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from pan to cool. Decorate as desired. CINNAMON DOUGH
1 c cinnamon 11 T applesauce 2 T white glue
Put applesauce in blender to make smooth. In a medium bowl mix applesauce and glue. Gradually add cinnamon with a mixer. The mixture should be moist but not sticky. Roll out to desired thickness and cut with cookie cutter. Dries hard or put in oven. Do not eat - for decorations only. SALT AND FLOUR DOUGH Combine:
2 parts table salt 1 part flour
Mix with enough water to make a stiff dough. Knead until smooth. Roll out, cut with cookie cutter. Decorate. Can be baked or air dried. MISSOURI NOTEBOOK For our Missouri unit you will need a 2” or larger 3-ring notebook and a package of dividers. The notebook will be 1/2 of your social studies grade for the 4th quarter, so do your best! Your notebook will be due May ___ and will include the following: TITLE PAGE:
your name and the date
SYMBOLS: You will be given handouts on the state. flag, seal, tree, flower, bird, insect, song, instrument, animal, mineral, rock, fossil, tree nut. These must be completed and included in your notebook. You may also include any extra information or pictures you find about Missouri symbols. HISTORY: Write a short report (about one page) about Missouri History. Include early explorers, settlers, when Missouri became a state, and the first capitol. You will be given maps and hand-outs about Missouri history and Native Americans that should be included in this section. FAMOUS MISSOURIANS: Use encyclopedias or other references to do reports on three famous Missourians. Each report should be about one page long. Include picture or other information you find about famous Missourians. GEOGRAPHY: You will be given maps and hand-outs on Missouri rivers, cities, natural regions, and counties. Complete each and include it in your notebook. NATURAL RESOURCES: In this section include pictures of Missouri wildlife, a short report or list of Missouri’s agricultural products (may include pictures), a short report or list of Missouri’s manufactured products (may include pictures), and maps which you will be given showing Missouri’s agricultural and mining products. TOURISM: Collect information on interesting places to visit in Missouri. Write letters to Chambers of Commerce or collect brochures when you travel. You may include family pictures of places. EXTRA: Add anything else you’d like to include about Missouri . MISSOURI NOTEBOOK SCORING GUIDE _____Organization:10 points _____All Materials Included: 55 points _____Reports: 20 points _____Neatness/Handwriting: 10 points _____Grammar/Spelling: 5 points _____Total Points MISSOURI NOTEBOOK CHECKLIST

____ SEAL ____ FLAG ____ CAPITOL ____ BLUEBIRD ____ HAWTHORN ____ DOGWOOD ____ TREE NUT ____ HONEY BEE ____ MULE ____ WALTZ ____ FIDDLE ____ SQUARE DANCE

____ MOZARKITE ____ GALENA ____ CRINOID ____ MO HISTORY REPORT ____ MO INDIAN TRIBES ____ MO THEN & NOW MAP ____ MO INDIANS ____ FAMOUS MISSOURIANS ____ MO RIVERS ____ MO CITIES ____ MO NATURAL REGIONS ____ MO COUNTIES

____ NEIGHBORING STATES ____ MO WILDLIFE PICTURES ____ MO CRITTERS ____ ANIMALS & NATURAL RESOURCES PUZZLE ____ AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ____ PRODUCTS MAP ____ PRODUCTS MAP ____ MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS ____ MINING IN MO ____ NATURAL TREASURES ____ PLACES TO VISIT

FAMOUS MISSOURIAN SCRAMBLE
• LHRESCA A. HBGNILDER ___________________________
• LAMEUS LEEMSNC ___________________________
• SEJSE MAESJ ___________________________
• AURLA GNILSAL DLERIW ___________________________
• RARHY MURNAT ___________________________
• ROEGEG C. GAHBIMN ___________________________
• AMOR LADREBY ___________________________
• MOTHAS OLEDOY ___________________________
• EGENUE LEFDI ___________________________
• METMET LEKLY ___________________________
• HONJ J. RSENGHPI ___________________________
• IKT RONSAC ___________________________
• ROGGEE SHOTNNGIWA VARREC ______________________
• MHATOS RATH TONNEB ___________________________
• NILADE ONBOE ___________________________
• JPNCENYE ___________________________
• TALW SYNIED ___________________________
• TSOCT PLOJNI ___________________________
MUSIC STATE SONG Recordings and sheet music are available for the “Missouri Waltz.” Your music might do a brief unit incorporating the “Missouri Waltz” as well as folk music. STATE INSTRUMENT Almost every community has local bluegrass bands who would be happy to present a short concert featuring our state instrument, the fiddle. If not, you can share recordings of bluegrass music with students; or it might be possible to video a local fiddler. DULCIMER The history of the dulcimer in Appalachian folk music and its migration to the Ozarks might be discussed. Try to find a local dulcimer player to play for your students, or again, recordings are available. P.E. ACTIVITIES SQUARE DANCING Simple dances such as the Virginia Reel and theCotton-Eyed Joe can be easily taught to students. Although studentsusually complain at first (especially the boys) it’s amazing how much they enjoy this. Try to enlist the P.E. teacher. SACK RACES Although gunny sacks are becoming difficult to find, students really enjoy using them for sack races and three legged races. Kids and adults often competed in these races at picnics and homecomings. OLD FASHIONED GAMES Games played at recess at one-room schools earlier in this century are often unfamiliar to today’s students. Marbles, Drop-the-Handkerchief, Freeze Tag, Red Rover, and rolling a hoop with a stick can be played with students. WALK AROUND MISSOURI Post a large map of Missouri. Figure out how many laps around your playground equal one mile and walk for 10 or 15 minutes two or three times a week. Total the number of laps made by all students and convert to miles. Use a highliter to mark the distance walked on the map. Start at your hometown and see how long it takes to get to Jefferson City or any location in Missouri you choose. LANGUAGE ARTS ABC BOOKS Brainstorm a list of words dealing with Missouri. Try to come up with at least one word for every letter of the alphabet. Assign each student a letter and have them write a sentence with their word and then do an illustration. Bind together to make a MO ABC Book. RESEARCH Students can do research and reports on many topics: famous Missourians, manufactured products of Missouri, agricultural products of Missouri, Missouri wildlife, symbols of Missouri, etc. POETRY Many types of poetry can be used in a study of Missouri. MISSOURI acrostic poems, haiku, cinquains, limericks, biopoems on famous Missourians, animal biopoems on MO wildlife, and narrative poems on events in MO history could all be included. JOURNALS Read aloud a Laura In galls Wilder book and have students pretend they are the main character. They write their feelings and opinions about what’s happening in the book. After studying early settlers in MO students can write journal entries describing what daily life is like for pioneer children. If you’re really ambitious you may want to try making handmade books to use as journals. LETTER WRITING Early in the school year, as part of a letter writing unit have students write business letters to the MO Dept. of Tourism, the MO Dept. of Transportation, and Chambers of Commerce across MO. ORAL HISTORY ASSIGNMENT Learning from the Past Each student will be required to interview an older friend, relative or neighbor. Everyone has a story to tell, so choose someone interesting, get their permission, and set up a time for the interview. The interview may be written, audio taped, or video taped. (This may require help from an adult.) In order for your assignment to be interesting, choose your questions carefully. Remember to ask “ who, what, when, where, why, and how” questions. Identify the person and explain your relationship. Be polite, and remember to thank the person you interviewed. You never know what you might learn from spending some time with an older adult. Below is a list of interview questions. Read through these to help you get started, then prepare your own list of questions. Your interview questions should be of interest to both you and the person you interview.
• How old are you?
• Where were you born?
• Where did you grow up?
• What was your family like?
• How did your family make a living?
• What were some problems you faced growing up?
• What were your school days like?
• How has life changed since you were young?
• Describe the clothing you wore as a child?
• What were your holidays like? How did you celebrate?
• What are some of your favorite memories?
• What games did you play as a child?
• Who influenced you the most?
• Who was president when you were born?
• Did you ever meet a famous Missourian? Who? Where?
• What was your first job? How much did you get paid?
• What is the best thing that happened in your life? The worst?
• Have you liked living in Missouri? Why? Why not?
TIME LINES Time lines are tested on the MMAT and are usually difficult for students. Introduce time lines by having students make one from their own life’s events and then study the Missouri time line. Students could make their own time line cards or use those illustrated in Our Missouri Time Line Kit (see resource list). The dated time line cards can be displayed on a bulletin board or for two-sided viewing could be hung clothesline style in the classroom. The Our Missouri Time Line Kit takes ten days with several date and events covered per day. This kit could be used as a guide with other dates researched and added to the time line. This would be an excellent way to include local history. HIT THE ROAD Using Map Scale
• Prior to the beginning of the Missouri unit, write the Missouri Department of Tourism and request tourism guides and state maps. Class sets should be available.
• Have individuals or cooperative groups to choose 3 or 4 large towns in Missouri. The students then use a road map to plan their route to visit each place. All highways and roads followed along their trip should be included. Figure and record the mileage for each road taken by using the map scale.
• A large Missouri map can be used for a bulletin board. Strings and push-pins measuring to the places being discussed can be used for show and tell during reports.
• Discuss the interesting places passed during the trip, including historical sites.
ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES CANDLE MAKING Ask parents to start saving old candles beginning on the first day of school. When candle making time rolls around you will have plenty of wax for dipping. See Steve Caney’s Kid’s America page 50. DYEING WOOL Wash raw wool in lye soap. Red onions, lily-of-the-valley stalks, and sunflower seeds make natural dyes. See Steve Caney’s Kid’s America pages 136 - 138. BLUEBIRD HOUSES Instructions can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation. CORN HUSK DOLLS See Horizons of Missouri by Brice and Brown, pages 136 - 139. Twisted craft paper can been used if corn husks are not available. DOGWOOD BOOKMARKS Press Dogwood blooms between pages of an old catalog. Add extra weight and allow to dry. When dry, lightly glue the blossom onto precut poster board. Laminate. Punch a hole in one end, running a ribbon through the hole. (Make sure the Dogwood trees are on your property.) MISSOURI MAGNETS Locate someone in your area who is willing to cut numerous shapes of Missouri with a jigsaw. Sand shapes. Stain. Mark your hometown or the capital. Add raffia for decoration, and a sticky magnet to the back. CRINOIDS These can be made from a mold obtained from Skullduggery, (See Resources.) Crayola Model Magic works the best. Follow directions on container, allow to dry, and paint with water colors to look like a “real” fossil. POMANDER BALL For decoration, and to help mask unpleasant odors, these can be made with small oranges or apples and lots of cloves. Poke holes into fruit with toothpick or fork. Push cloves into each hole. Hang with ribbon or yarn. QUILL WRITING Turkey or duck feathers work well. Use an X - Acto knife to cut the end of the quill at an angle. Be sure the feather is hollow. Next cut a small slit at the tip of the feather. Dip the tip into the ink, dab on paper blotter before writing. Continue to dip and dab. You can even make your own ink. See Steven Caney’s Kid’s America pages 184 -185. PAINTING Paint Missouri scenes like Thomas Hart Benton EARLY TOYS BUZZ TOYS An inexpensive popular toy in the early days. They were made with thread or fine twine which was threaded through one hole of a button and back through the other hole, and then tied together. With the end loops on your thumbs, flip the button around in the middle to wind it up. Pull outward with both thumbs to get an in and out motion going. When the buzz toy went fast a buzzing noise could be heard. STRING GAMES String games can be traced back to early Indian tribes where they were used as story telling devices. Later they became toys of endless hours of enjoyment. Learning the different steps in making patterns such as cup and saucer, Jacob’s ladder, etc. can be very challenging. WHISTLES Small twigs can be fashioned into whistles by cutting off the bark, notching it and slipping it back on the twig. GUEST SPEAKER IDEAS
• Civil War reenactor
• Local history buffs
• Local bluegrass musicians
• Department of Conservation
• Local spinner and weaver
• Local mule breeder
• Local beekeeper
• Square dance club
• County Extension Office
• ASCS Office (good resource for information on soil)
• Local basket maker
• Local quilters
• Missouri Farm Bureau
• Missouri Roots HCR 62, Box 525, Salem, MO 65560
• Department of Natural Resources U.S. Forest Service National Park Service
FIELD TRIP IDEAS
• Laura In galls Wilder Home
• Wilson’s Creek Battlefield
• Grand Gulf State Park
• Silver Dollar City
• Springfield Nature Center
• Fantastic Caverns
• Meramec Caverns
• Round Spring Cave
• Alley Spring
• Dawt Mill
• Aid-Hodgson Mill
• Bennett Spring State Park Hatchery and Nature Center
• Montauk State Park Hatchery
• Doss and Harper Stone Quarry If costs keep you from traveling, contact places of interest, as they may be able to send a speaker or printed materials.
MADE IN MISSOURI Using the following resources, have students contact various manufacturers and producers of Missouri goods. Most companies or businesses are willing to send free information and goodies to schools interested in their product.
• Local Chamber of Commerce
• AgriMissouri Buyer’s Guide
• Missouri Dept. of Agriculture
• Market Development Division P.O. Box 630 Jefferson City, MO 65102
• Missouri Department of Economic Development Community and Economic Development P.O. Box 118 Jefferson City, MO 65102
Students can use the information and items received to do research, write reports, and make displays. These displays can then be organized into a “Made in Missouri Fair” to share with other fourth grade classes or the entire school. RESOURCES Division of Geology and Land Survey, Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 250, Rolla, MO 65401 Fossilworks, Skullduggery, 624 S. B. Street, Tustin, CA 92680 Hands-On Geography State Studies - Missouri, 1985 Nystrom. Home Crafts, Bobbie Kalman, 1990, 1993, Crabtree Publishing Company. Horizons of Missouri, 1989, Walsworth Publishing Company. I Love Missouri, 1988, The Supply Closet, 6709 W. 75th St., Overland Park, Kansas, 66204. Kids America, Steven Caneys, 1978, Workman Publishing Co, Inc.708 Broadway, New York, NY, 10003. The Little House Classroom Kit, Harper Collins Children’s Books, 10E. 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022. Missouri Books-in-a-Bag, Vol I,Carol Marsh, 1996, Gallopade, Atlanta, GA Missouri Division of Tourism, Truman State Office Bldg., P.O. Box 1055, Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573)751-4133. Missouri: Images From The Past, Teaching with Documents, Prepared by Roy D. Blunt, Missouri State Archives. Missouri Jeopardy Game, Dana Switzner, 1990, HCR - 02, Box 296, Cassville,MO 65625. Missouri Maps for Students, School House Global Enterprises, P.O. Box 441028, Fort Washington, MD, 20749. Missouri Packets for Students, Secretary of State, P.O.Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 751-2379. Missouri Roots Educational Programs, HCR 62, Box 525, Salem, MO 65560. Missouri Studies, Marianne Kelly, l994, Show Me More, Craftmasters “Educational Materials,” Sikeston,MO. Missouri Workbook, Dana Switzner, 1989, Cassville, MO, printed in Joplin, MO by Dixie Printing. More Than Skin Deep, A Teacher’s Guide to Caves and Groundwater, National Park Service. Our Missouri :Activity Book,Time Line, and Voices of Missouri, 1991, Missouri Interpretive Materials, P.O. Box 1762, Columbia, MO 65205. Portrait of America: Missouri, Kathleen Thompson, 1996, Steck-Vaughn Co. This is Missouri, Dennis Kear and Marsha Gladhart, 1987, The Bookshelf Co., P.O. Box 8731, Wichita, Kansas 67208. Wildlife and Man in Missouri, 1987,l989, Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri What do you think of this lesson? SuccessLink needs to know. Click HERE.

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For additional information contact :
Kathy Davis
West Plains Elem.
West Plains R-VII
(417) 256-6150