Eight for Each State - Nebraska | Homeschool Better Together

Welcome to the Eight For Each State US Geography tour. I am so glad you are joining us.

Nebraska is a corn growing, prairie state towards the center of the United States. At first glance, it doesn’t seem very exciting. But one thing we have learned on our US Geography study is that each state has a personality and excitment all its own.

For Nebraska, we explored the wide world of corn, made the tastiest sod houses ever, and watched some videos about the life in a state that looks very different from our own. We would love to hear from those in Nebraska; tell us what you love about your state!

1. C is for Cornhusker, A Nebraska Alphabet by Rajean Luebs Shepard

If you have been following our US Geography study, you know that we almost always begin with one of these books. They are perfect to read to the entire family at Morning Time with their exceptional illustrations and interesting facts. If you have enjoyed the alphabet books in the Discover America State by State series and are up for a change, try Husker Numbers: A Nebraska Number Book also by Rajean Luebs Shepherd.

Other books we use for our US Geography study are:

2. Nebraska Videos

The girls always enjoy seeing the state they are studding. YouTube is a great resource for videos showing the landscape of unfamiliar states. Here are a couple we enjoyed.

Nebraska From Above – Best Highlights Montage (HD)

Nebraska Agriculture

3. The Huckabuck Family: and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back by Carl Sandburg

Ruth read this charming story out loud, and everyone enjoyed its crazy turn of events. With pictures added to one of Carl Sandburg’s famous Rootabaga Stories this family adventure comes to life.

Nebraska is well known for growing corn which is reflected in its nickname, The Cornhusker State. Enjoy these other corn resources.

Corn by Gail Gibbons
The Life and Times of Corn by Charles Micucci
Farmers Popcorn Cob – Microwave Pops Off the Cob – A family friend gave Ruth a couple of these for her birthday. We had a lot of fun watching them pop! Don’t expect perfect popcorn, but for an activity, this is a blast!
Fun Indian Corn growing Experiment

4. Popcorn Balls

To celebrate popcorn even more, we made popcorn balls. I searched and searched for a healthy recipe, but finally gave up and went with the old fashioned popcorn ball recipe. It was so good. Like I had to try really hard to be a good mom and not eat them all before the kids came in from playtime.

5. Union Pacific Railroad

Omaha, Nebraska is the home of the Union Pacific Railroad. The Bailey Yard is the largest railroad yard in the world and is located in North Platte, Nebraska. Anything railroad related is always a hoot, or a toot if you are an engine, so take some time to explore real railroads and yards.

Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard

6. Projects about Westward Expansion by Marian Broida

I like this series of books from our local library. They have plenty of fun projects that my girls can do mostly on their own. Next to each activity there is a page of text written as if you were pretending you lived during the time of Westward Expansion.

7. Brownie Sod Houses

Early settlers to Nebraska built their houses out of what was available. Sod was very plentiful, so houses and stables were built out of dirt and grass. After learning that some of my husband’s family lived in a sod house, sod houses have fascinated the girls.

Instead of building a model house out of sod or mud, we took a suggestion from the above book Projects about Westward Expansion by Marian Broida, and used brownie bricks instead. YUM!

8. Febold Feboldson

Perhaps one of the wildest American Folk Tales I have never heard is Febold Feboldson. Paul Bunyan apparently tried to make a southern border for Nebraska, but it turned out too crooked. So, Febold Feboldson took up the task and became Nebraska’s own folk hero. But that’s not the only tale out there. Explore below for more.

C is for Cornhusker: A Nebraska Alphabet (Discover America State by State) Nebraska (Hello U.S.A.) Nebraska: The Cornhusker State (Exploring the States) Nebraska Facts and Symbols (The States and Their Symbols) The Huckabuck Family: and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back Corn The Life and Times of Corn Projects about Westward Expansion (Hands-On History)

Nebraska Folklore Pamphlets
American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne
Febold Feboldson – A cute puppet show done by kids.

Where has your US Geography study taken you lately?



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Jessica

Contributor at pambarnhill.com

Jessica Lawton is a homeschool mom to five fantastically fabulous children. Her hobbies include book collecting, knitting, reading, and birdwatching. While teacher or writer were never on her list of Things to Be When I Grow Up, she curiously finds herself doing both, and enjoying it. This only strengthens her firmly held belief that God has better plans for us than we have for ourselves.