{"id":1410,"date":"2015-12-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hubpages.com\/education\/learning-about-south-dakota"},"modified":"2015-12-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-12-30T00:00:00","slug":"south-dakota-for-teachers-and-travelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/?p=1410","title":{"rendered":"South Dakota for Teachers and Travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for fun worksheets, books, video clips, and activity ideas for teaching and\/or learning about South Dakota<\/strong>? Included are links to wonderful worksheets, book suggestions for children, YouTube videos, DVD and CD recommendations, and more — all related to the state of South Dakota! This is part of a series of pages I created while teaching about the fifty states. You can find the links for my pages for each of the 50 states at Teaching the 50 States of America<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Have You Visited South Dakota Yet?<\/h2>\n

\"MountMount Rushmore Image Credit: http:\/\/www.theexpressionist.com\/<\/p>\n

What Makes This State Special: Mount Rushmore<\/h2>\n

In order to generate tourism in South Dakota, sculptor Gutzon Borglum carved the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln into Mount Rushmore. He passed away before it was completed, so his son lead his father’s crew in finishing the sculpture.<\/p>\n

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Tour of Mount Rushmore National Memorial<\/h2>\n

Click thumbnail to view full-size\"Four\"Who\"Mount\"Mount\"Curious\"FourFour Famous Faces by Jean L.S. Patrick – Images are from amazon.com\"WhoWho Carved the Mountain?: The Story of Mount Rushmore by Jean L. S. Patrick\"MountMount Rushmore by Thomas Kingsley Troupe\"MountMount Rushmore by Marion Dane Bauer\"CuriousCurious George and the Hot Air Balloon by H. A. Rey<\/p>\n

Additional Great Children’s Picture Books on Mount Rushmore<\/h2>\n

Four Famous Faces by Jean L.S. Patrick is a cute picture book about a group of animal friends explore the state of South Dakota and eventually discover Mount Rushmore. It includes more than just Mount Rushmore. We also enjoyed the following picture books: Who Carved the Mountain?: The Story of Mount Rushmore by Jean L. S. Patrick, Mount Rushmore by Thomas Kingsley Troupe, Mount Rushmore by Marion Dane Bauer (a simple reader), and Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon by H. A. Rey (just for fun because he flies his hot air balloon over Mount Rushmore).<\/p>\n

Click thumbnail to view full-size\"Flat\"The\"Run\"Message\"Rushmore\"FlatFlat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures #1: The Mount Rushmore Calamity by Jeff Brown – Images are from amazon.com\"TheThe Mystery at Mount Rushmore (Real Kids! Real Places!) by Carole Marsh \"RunRun for the Hills, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 47) by Geronimo Stilton \"MessageMessage in the Mountain (Time Spies) by Candice Ransom\"RushmoreRushmore by Lynn Curlee <\/p>\n

Our Favorite Chapter Books on Mount Rushmore<\/h2>\n

Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures #1: The Mount Rushmore Calamity by Jeff Brown (96 pages) is part of a fun series that is great for if your children are ready to move on from The Magic Tree House series level. In this book Flat Stanley and his family visit Mount Rushmore and have a Wild West adventure. The Mystery at Mount Rushmore (Real Kids! Real Places!) by Carole Marsh (158 pages) This is about a group of children who solve a mystery while learning all about the history and geography of South Dakota. Run for the Hills, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 47) by Geronimo Stilton (128 pages) is about an adventurous mouse who goes on a treasure hunt in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is part of a cute series. Message in the Mountain (Time Spies) by Candice Ransom (144 pages) is about a group of children who travel back in time to 1934 so they can help Gutzon Borglum as he sculpts Mount Rushmore. Rushmore by Lynn Curlee (48 pages) is actually a picture book rather than a chapter book, but it has so many words that only my older children were interested in reading it.<\/p>\n

\"SueSue T-Rex Image Credit: http:\/\/www.dinotalk.com\/<\/p>\n

What Makes This State Special: Dinosaurs Like T-Rex Sue<\/h2>\n

Numerous fossilized remains have been found around the state including the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex, Sue.<\/p>\n

\"AA Dinosaur Named Sue: The Find of the Century (Hello Reader!, Level 4) (Scholastic Reader Level 3) by Fay Robinson with the SUE Science Team of The Field Museum – Image is from amazon.com<\/p>\n

Our Favorite Children’s Books on Sue the T-Rex<\/h2>\n

Do note that all of these books contain “millions of years.” I just changed those words. Our favorite book on Sue was A Dinosaur Named Sue: The Find of the Century (Hello Reader!, Level 4) (Scholastic Reader Level 3) by Fay Robinson with the SUE Science Team of The Field Museum. We also enjoyed reading A T. Rex Named Sue: Sue Hendrickson’s Huge Discovery by Natalie Lunis, Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) by Aliki, and Dinosaur Named Sue: The World’s Most Complete T. Rex by Pat Relf.<\/p>\n

\"CrazyCrazy Horse Memorial | Source<\/p>\n

What Makes This State Special: The Crazy Horse Monument<\/h2>\n

Not far from Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument is getting carved. It is a slower process because the sculptures refuse to use federal funds for the project. When finished, the monument will be the world’s largest sculpture.<\/p>\n

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What Makes This State Special: The Black Hills<\/h2>\n

Seen from a distance, the Black Hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black. Gold has been found and mined there.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Corn Palace Image Credit: http:\/\/www.cornpalace.com\/index.php<\/p>\n

What Makes This State Special: The Corn Palace<\/h2>\n

The Corn Palace in Mitchell is decorated with “Crop Art.” The murals decorating the building are made from corn and other grains.<\/p>\n

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Animals of South Dakota: Bison & Black-Footed Ferrets<\/h2>\n

\"BisonBison Image Credit: http:\/\/www.doorsopening.wordpress.com\/<\/p>\n

What Makes This State Special: Bison and Black-Footed Ferrets<\/h2>\n

Custer State Park is home to a herd of 1,500 free-roaming bison. Also, an attempt to repopulate the endangered black-footed ferret is underway in the state.<\/p>\n

Click thumbnail to view full-size\"Buffalo\"Bison\"Grandfather\"Phantom\"Wild\"BuffaloBuffalo Music by Tracey E. Fern – All images are from amazon.com unless otherwise notes.\"BisonBison at Hollow Hill by Drema Hazelwood\"GrandfatherGrandfather Buffalo by Jim Arnosky (This image is from scholastic.com.)\"PhantomPhantom of the Prairie: Year of the Black-Footed Ferret by Jonathan London\"WildWild and Free: The Story of a Black-Footed Ferret (Smithsonian Wild Heritage Collection) by Jo Ellen C. Bosson<\/p>\n

Our Favorite Books on Animals of South Dakota<\/h2>\n

Buffalo Music by Tracey E. Fern actually takes place in Texas rather than South Dakota, but it was our favorite book on buffalo (bison). It is about a pioneer woman who raises and protects orphan bison and eventually sends some to repopulate the species in Yellowstone National Park. We also enjoyed reading Bison at Hollow Hill by Drema Hazelwood and Grandfather Buffalo by Jim Arnosky. Phantom of the Prairie: Year of the Black-Footed Ferret by Jonathan London and Wild and Free: The Story of a Black-Footed Ferret (Smithsonian Wild Heritage Collection) by Jo Ellen C. Bosson are both wonderful picture books that describe the life of a black-footed ferret.<\/p>\n

\" | Source<\/p>\n

What Makes This State Special: Badlands National Park<\/h2>\n

Badlands National Park has almost 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes.<\/p>\n

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South Dakota’s State Flag and State Quarter<\/h2>\n

South Dakota’s state flag is sky blue. It contains the state seal, which is surrounded by gold triangles representing the sun’s rays. South Dakota used to be nicknamed “The Sunshine State” before it became known as “Mount Rushmore State.” The state seal, in the center of the flag, includes a river with a boat, a farmer and cattle, a hill, and a mine. The represent South Dakota’s industries and natural resources.<\/p>\n

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South Dakota’s state quarter features Mount Rushmore, the state bird (a ring-necked pheasant), and the state grass (wheat).<\/p>\n

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Our Favorite Children’s Books on South Dakota<\/h2>\n

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Our Favorite Picture Book on South Dakota<\/h2>\n

\"MM is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet (Discover America State by State)<\/a>This is my favorite series on individual states. Each page has a simple rhyme concerning the word starts with that letter and then includes a bit more about that particular regional animal, location, etc. It provides a wonderful overview of what makes each state unique. Both modern and historical aspects of the state are includes. Plus, the illustrations are beautiful!\u00a0Buy Now<\/a>\u00a0
\"DakotaDakota Dugout by Ann Turner<\/p>\n

More Good Picture Books on South Dakota<\/h2>\n

Dakota Dugout by Ann Turner could take place in North or South Dakota. A grandmother tells her granddaughter what life was like when she first got married and lived as a pioneer in a dugout on the Dakota prairie. Also look for My Prairie Year: Based on the Diary of Elenore Plaisted by Brett Harvey, Alfred Visits South Dakota by Missie Mcpherson, and How to Draw South Dakota’s Sights and Symbols by Stephanie True Peters.<\/p>\n

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Best Book for Preschoolers, Toddlers, and\/or Babies<\/h2>\n

\"GoodGood Night South Dakota<\/a>This is perfect if you have a preschooler or younger. It’s a sturdy board book that features what is notable about South Dakota. It includes places such as Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Black Hills National Forest, Corn Palace, Wind Cave National Park, and more.\u00a0Buy Now<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our Favorite Chapter Book on South Dakota<\/h2>\n

\"WrightWright on Time, Book 4: South Dakota<\/a>(126 pages) This is part of a fun series about a homeschooling family who is traveling to each of the 50 states in their RV. In each state they solve mysteries as they visit the main sites of the state and learn about them. In this book they visit South Dakota and learn about the main sites and the history of the state — all while trying to solve a mystery!\u00a0Buy Now<\/a>\u00a0
\"LittleLittle Town on the Prairie (Little House) by Laura Ingalls Wilder – Image is from amazon.com<\/p>\n

Chapter Books Related to South Dakota<\/h2>\n

Little Town on the Prairie (Little House) by Laura Ingalls Wilder (320 pages) is the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s time in De Smet, South Dakota. Also look for her other books that take place in South Dakota: The Long Winter (Little House) by Laura Ingalls Wilder (352 pages), These Happy Golden Years (Little House) by Laura Ingalls Wilder (304 pages), and On the Way Home: The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894 by Laura Ingalls Wilder (120 pages). We listened to the entire Little House Series on audio CD and loved it! Prairie Winter by Bonnie Geisert (224 pages) is part of a trilogy based on the events of the author as she grew up on a farm in a small town in South Dakota during the 1950’s. Grasshopper Summer by Ann Turner (176 pages) takes place in 1874. It is about an 11 year old boy and his family as they move to the Dakota Territory and must deal with the grasshopper plague.<\/p>\n

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Our Favorite Free Worksheets and Lapbook Pages on South Dakota<\/h2>\n

\"AA page from my son’s notebook on South Dakota<\/p>\n

Great Worksheets and Lapbooks on South Dakota That We Used When Creating Notebooks on Individual States<\/h2>\n

All About South Dakota<\/a> provides great links to printable worksheets, book suggestions, and activity ideas about South Dakota.<\/p>\n

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South Dakota for Teachers<\/a> includes wonderful printable worksheets, activity ideas, and book suggestions.<\/p>\n

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South Dakota State Facts & Trivia<\/a> lists numerous points of interest about South Dakota. The site also includes a number of helpful worksheets, links, and information.<\/p>\n

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Good Family-Friendly Video Clips Giving an Overview of the State<\/h2>\n

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Excellent Overview of the State<\/h2>\n

When searching out YouTube video clips that provided helpful information about South Dakota and were completely child-friendly, these were our favorites.<\/p>\n

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History Channel States Documentary: South Dakota starts at 32:51.<\/h2>\n

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Aerial Footage of South Dakota by Skyworks<\/h2>\n

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Where is Pierre, the capital of South Dakota?<\/h2>\n

{“lat”:44.370831000000003,”lng”:-100.32054100000001,”zoom”:8,”mapType”:”ROADMAP”,”markers”:[{“id”:77524,”lat”:”44.368317″,”lng”:”-100.350967″,”name”:”Pierre, South Dakota”,”address”:”Pierre, SD 57501, USA”,”description”:””}],”moduleId”:”39121914″}APierre, South Dakota:<\/strong> Pierre, SD 57501, USA<\/p>\n

get directions<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u00a9 2012 Shannon<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

December 30, 2015Source Are you looking for fun worksheets, books, video clips, and activity ideas for teaching and\/or learning about South Dakota? Included are links to wonderful worksheets, book suggestions for children, YouTube videos, DVD and CD recommendations, and more — all related to the state of South Dakota! This is part of a series […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}