Three Cheers for the READ, White, and Blue!

Fourth grade Math and Science teacher Mrs. Kelly is off to camp this summer: she's sharing her love of learning with others at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Camp Discovery, a day program offering fun activities in sports, the arts and theater, and science and nature studies. 

Today, Mrs. Kelly joins Reading Road Trip on our cross-country Fourth of July celebration, spending a few summer hours with The Slightly Odd States of America, an offbeat collection of United States information and trivia.  Reading Road Trippers will enjoy the Klutz Press virtual road trip, featuring colorful maps and interactive puzzles, games, and quizzes.  Right now, we can sharpen our geography skills and gather fun facts with a Puzzled States of America game.  Click on the red-highlighted words to get started!

As American as Apple Pie: After the big Fourth of July parade-- and before the fantastic fireworks show-- we're hosting a patriotic pick-nic of summer reading fun:

In Our 50 States: A Family Adventure by Lynne V. Cheney, text and illustrations represent each of the fifty states, sharing information about important people, events, and ideas in United States history (RL 6.4).

Americana Adventure by Michael Garland follows Tommy-- guided by clues from his Aunt Jeanne-- on a cross-country tour that takes him from Boston Harbor to the Golden Gate Bridge (RL 3.0).

Wow! America! by Robert Neubecker presents facts about the United States' landscape, landmarks, and natural resources, with each  illustrated page showing adventurous Izzy and little sister Jo (RL 4.3).

Hudson Talbott, one of Lafayette School's favorite visiting author/illustrators, shares facts and detailed illustrations of state birds from all fifty states in United Tweets of America (RL 6.6).

Go, Go America by Dan Yaccarino presents hundreds of facts about each of the states, describing unique festivals, traditions, laws, and landmarks across the country (RL 5.9).

Last but not least, in The Scrambled States of America: Talent Show by Laurie Keller, the states decide to get together and put on a show featuring their special talents (RL 4.0). This companion to The Scrambled States of America also includes facts about the history and geography of the states.  Let's take a video peek at those Scrambled States:

Happy Fourth of July, Reading Road Trippers!  Let's celebrate the Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave, and a Nation of Enthusiastic Readers!