This document provides information and instructions for a 2nd grade social studies project on the 50 U.S. states. It explains that each state has a capital city, which is not always the largest city, and that states have symbols like flags, songs, and birds. Students are asked to research information about one state such as its capital, symbols, year of statehood, natural resources, landmarks, and famous people. They will then create a one page paper and presentation about their chosen state.

1. 2nd Grade Social Studies
States and Capitals Project
Our Lady of Sorrows

2. 50 States
There are 50 states in the United States and each
State has a Capital.
The Capital is not necessarily the largest city in each
state.
The Capital city plays an important role in the state
government.

3. 50 states
Each State has a state song, a state flag, a state song,
a state bird, a state seal, and more!
Each state also has a nickname. Sometimes, states
have more than one nickname!
Each state has a major city that may not be it’s capital
city. (Detroit is Michigan’s major city, but not the
capital of Michigan.)
States may also have natural resources, such as
farming or minerals.

4. 50 States
Each State may also be known for other resources,
such as making cars, food products, or other
machinery.

5. The State of Michigan

6. Michigan
Did you know Michigan is a land of two peninsulas?
A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost surrounded
by water.
The Upper Peninsula lies between Lake Superior and
Lake Michigan.
Michigan is also home to the Great Lakes!
It is called the Great Lake State due to four of the five
Great Lakes directly surrounding the state!

7. Michigan
Did you know Michigan is also the Wolverine state?
Early fur traders brought wolverine skins to trading
posts

8. Michigan
Michigan became a state in 1837
Michigan’s capital, Lansing, is located in the lower
peninsula.
The state’s government pass laws in the capital!

9. Your project!
Pick a state (Any state but Michigan!)

10. Project
Feel free to go to your local library and explore!
Ask the librarian for books on the state you picked!
Look online at websites such as
http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids
What is your state’s capital?
Look for the state song
Look for the state flag
Your state might have a state food!
The state might have a state flower or tree, too!

11. Project
Look for what year your state became a state!
Is your state known for farming? Minerals? Airplanes
or cars?
Is your state known for cotton or oil?
Does your state have any famous landmarks?
Do any presidents come from your state?

12. Project and Presentation
After you gather everything you can about your state,
type a one page paper about your state.
You will do a presentation on your state. Be creative!
Use a posterboard and pictures! You may even make
a model of your state out of anything you want. You
may use props, too!
This is due Monday, March 10, 2014

13. The End