U.S. Geography Fun

This year we're learning the regions of the United States.  When I was in 8th grade I remember our teacher having us make salt dough U.S. maps, and I thought it was a fun project then, and I still think it's fun!  So our first day of school we made our maps.  What a wild time! 

Making the dough.

This picture blessedly hides the drama that had just ensued.  Our "fun" project started out with one child flipping out over the feel of the salt dough, flinging arms wildly in the air, and socking the other in the eye.  So I ended up with one flipping out over texture, the other bawling in pain, and the only thing I could think of was "and this was supposed to be fun!"  At least I could laugh about it afterwards and everyone calmed down and finished the project.

Katie's map.  She did really well!  I like her cone-shaped mountains.

That's part of the fun of the project.  Each child's map was so different, but both were representative of the U.S.  Then the long task of waiting for the dough to dry...

A week later, we finally got to paint the maps.  Ethan's finished map.

Katie's finished map.