Things You'll Need:
- United States map
- Construction paper or cardboard
- Scissors
- Glue
- Collectible state quarters or stamps
- Photographs of scenery from different states
-
Step 1
Associate states with photographs. Visual literacy is often a neglected factor of education. As compared with words, images are often more easily retained in memory. Choose simple and meaningful images to pair with the states that you are having trouble remembering. For example, if you want to remember California, locate an image of Hollywood. If you're trying to remember Texas, get an image of a cowboy. This method of learning requires imagination, and may even require you to undertake a modicum of research.
-
Step 2
Use collectibles. In recent years, quarters and stamps have been produced to bear images of states or state symbols. Collecting such items can be fun for children, and is a way to let learning occur every time you check your mailbox or receive change at the grocery store. Bookstores or post offices may also sell binders to help an adult or child to organize a collection of these items (See Reference 1).
-
Step 3
Become familiar with abbreviations. A simple way to learn state names is to pair state names with their abbreviations while playing a modified version of musical chairs. The only materials needed are slips of paper with the names of states printed on them and chairs with corresponding state abbreviations taped to their seats. Before playing, players should receive basic instruction regarding the states and their abbreviations. Once everyone has been informed, the instructor can begin to play music. Patriotic themes such as the National Anthem or Stars and Stripes Forever are appropriate to play. All players should try to find seats that match the states they were given. After playing, partners can randomly trade their states and play again.
-
Step 4
Manipulate states as puzzle pieces. Becoming familiar with the shapes of states is an easy way to memorize them. Florida, Texas and California each have distinct shapes, and are not often confused with other states of the nation. A puzzle of the states can be easily created by gluing a U.S. map on top of a sturdy piece of cardboard or construction paper, then cutting along state borders until each state is separated. A second map may be used as reference while attempted to reassemble the pieces into a solid whole.
-
Step 5
Play interactive geography games online. The first thing that most children think of when they hear the word "internet" is online games. Many online games teach children how to waste their time, but others teach children things worth knowing. Examples of games that can teach you about the United States of America can be found in the references below (See U.S.A. Games). These games not only help you to learn about states, but also show you where the states belong with the aid of an interactive map.
