Georgia Homeschool State Unit Study Books and Resources
The most fun part about doing unit studies in homeschool is incorporating unique books and engaging resources to enhance the learning experience. Below is a collection of resources and ideas to supplement your studies of Georgia.
A LOT of books, games, and resources are included in this post, so please don't feel like my intention is for ALL of these resources to be used. Pick and choose what you like best to build your own Georgia study that works for you and your family.
Interesting Facts About Georgia:
Some facts about New Jersey that your students might find intriguing:
- Georgia was the last of the thirteen colonies, established in 1733 and named after King George II. It served as a buffer zone against the Spanish territory of Florida.
- The famous drink Coca-Cola was invented in Georgia in 1886.
- The largest swamp in North America, the Okefenokee Swamp, is located in southern Georgia.
- Elberton, Georgia, is known as the Granite Capital of the World.
- Georgia is famously known as the "Peach State" for its abundant peach production, though it also leads the nation in growing peanuts, pecans, and Vidalia onions.
- The marble to build the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. is from Georgia.
Introduction to the State of Georgia:
Our family studies the 50 states in the order that they joined the union. Georgia was the fourth state! Below is how I like to introduce the state history and geography and other facts over the course of 5 days:
DAY 1 INTRO TO STATE: To get started learning about the state, I first like to focus on its geography using a student atlas like this National Geographic Atlas. We discuss the facts included in this student atlas and also discuss the geography. After this, we complete this States Info page that I created. You can download it for free here. We usually print it, fill in the notes, and then glue it in our State Notebook. Lastly for day one, we read the New Jersey section of the book It Happened in America. This book includes interesting and true historical stories about each state. I highly recommend this resource.
Georgia Nature Study Ideas:
In addition to the "Intro to the State" items listed above, on each of those days (Day 1-5) we notebook nature journal topics about the state. We include this information in our State Notebook as well, so that everything is kept all in one place. This is a great opportunity to dive deeper with nature field guides to learn more about the trees, birds, flowers, animals, insects, and rocks or minerals that represent each state. You'll end up getting so much extra science snuck in when studying each state's bird, tree, flower, etc.
I have created free Georgia nature journal pages that you can use and tape into your State Notebook. You can color the illustrations and take notes about what you learned about each nature topic. Download the free printable Georgia Nature Journal pages here.
Day 1 Georgia Nature Journaling: State Tree - Southern Live Oak
The state tree is the Southern Live Oak. Learn about this iconic southern tree by watching this YouTube video. Read about oak trees in Anna Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study (pgs. 639-640). While learning about the live oak from various sources, have your student take notes in these free printable nature journal pages I created for Georgia. The illustrations in the free pages are intended to be colored and space is included to take notes about what was learned. If your kids like to draw they could try to sketch a southern live oak in their student notebook. Another option is to use these stickers from this product at Rainbow Resource to add to your State Notebook. Journal some notes about what you learned about the holly tree using our free GA nature journal pages.
Day 2 Georgia Nature Journaling: State Bird - Brown Thrasher
Learn about Georgia's state bird, the Brown Thrasher, in DK Birds of North America (pg. 574). Next, add a little bit of humor to your birds studies with this hilarious book, United Tweets of America. You don't want to miss this book. Lastly, try playing a game of Match a Pair of Birds. Use my free printable Georgia Nature Journal pages to color the hen and take notes about what you learned. Download the free printable here.
Day 3 Georgia Nature Journaling: State Flower - Cherokee Rose
The state flower of Georgia is the Cherokee Rose. After watching the YouTube videos below about the Cherokee Rose, try playing a game of Pick a Flower. Finish up by either drawing a cherokee rose in your State Notebook or use the stickers from this product and add them to your State Notebook and then journal about what you learned. You can also download my free Georgia nature journal pages. Color the illustrations and take notes about what you learned. Download it for free here.
Day 4 Georgia Nature Journaling: State Mineral: Staurolite
Staurolite is the official mineral of Georgia. Watch the YouTube video below to learn about Staurolite. Afterward, play a fun game option is the National Geographic Rocks and Minerals bingo game.
Day 5 Georgia Nature Journaling: State Crop: Peanut
The state crop of Georgia is the peanut. The videos below cover a wide variety of topics. Who knew there was so much to learn about peanuts?! These videos cover so much like....how peanut butter is made, how to grow you own peanuts at home, how farms mass-produce peanuts, peanut allergies, and George Washington Carver's idea to grow more peanuts to add back nitrogen to the soil. Take notes about what you learned about peanuts with these free printable GA Nature journal pages.
Learn all about how peanuts are grown and harvested, as well as the many products made from peanuts in the book What's for Lunch? Peanuts.
Bonus Nature Study Topic: Kudzu
Learn all about the vine that has taken over the south: Kudzu!
One More Bonus Nature Study Topic: Opossums
Learn about North America's only marsupial, the opossum at the video below:
Copywork, Cursive, or Typing the State Preamble:
Preamble to the Georiga State Constitution for Copywork or Typing Practice:
I created a free download to practice the Preamble in cursive. Students just beginning in cursive can trace it. Students more experienced in cursive can copy it in their Student Notebook. You can download the free cursive preamble here.
"To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution."
Georgia State Motto:
Wisdom, Justice, Moderation
Here are a few scriptures that teach about moderation:
-
Philippians 4:5
- 1 Corinthians 9:25
- Galatians 5:23
- Proverbs 25:16
- Ephesians 5:18
- Proverbs 25:28
Georgia History and Biographies:
Eli Whitney:
Learn about the life of Eli Whitney with these free book online, Eli Whitney Master Craftsman.
Martha Berry:
This free book online is the "biography of the young woman whose desire to help Appalachian children resulted in the creation of boarding schools and a college in rural Georgia where youngsters could work as well as study". Read the book for free here.
Martin Luther King Jr:
Read this free online book about Martin Luther King Jr and his dream of equality for all Americans.
Jimmy Carter:
Jimmy Carter is from Georgia. Read about the life and presidency of Jimmy Carter in the Presidents Weird But True book.
Georgia Literature:
A Net to Catch Time:
A Net to Catch Time is a picture book about a boy on the barrier islands of Georgia. This book is available to read online for free here.
Turn Homeward Hannalee:
Turn Homeward Hannalee can be read for free online. It's the story of a twelve-year-old girl "forced to relocate to Indiana along with other Georgia millworkers during the Civil War. She leaves her mother with a promise to return home as soon as the war ends."
Be Ever Hopeful Hannalee:
Be Ever Hopeful Hannalee can be read for free online here. "In 1865 with the war recently over, fourteen-year-old Hannalee and her recently reunited family decide to start a new life in Atlanta where, because of the need to rebuild the devastated city, jobs are plentiful. Sequel to "Turn Homeward, Hannalee."
My Name is Sally Little Song:
My Name is Sally Little Song is an incredible book about a young girl named Sally and her family who are slaves on a Georgia plantation. When the master decides to sell Sally and her brother, the family escapes to Florida to live with the Seminoles. We listened to the audiobook on Audible and it was very well done.
Famous Musicians:
There are several famous musicians from New Jersey. Listen to music on YouTube from the following stars:
- Ray Charles
- Little Richard
- Trisha Yearwood
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
Famous Athletes:
Research online about the famous athletes from New Jersey:
- Herschel Walker
- Matthew Stafford
- Cam Newton
- Jackie Robinson
- Hank Aaron
- Sugar Ray Robinson
Cooking:
Don't forget to make some recipes from Georgia with the Eat Your Way Through the USA book! Each state in the book includes a complete dinner with a main dish, a side, and a dessert!
State Games:
We really love playing games in our homeschool. Below are some geography games to practice state geography, learning the state flags, and memorizing capitals and other state facts.
