Texas Symbols Lapbook

We started our states study today, and since we live in Texas, that was the logical place to begin.

I didn’t use a pre-made lapbook for this one, though I did consult some Texas Unit Studies for ideas. I didn’t want a lot of history in the lapbook, though a little bit  enhances what they’re reading about; I wanted the focus to be on the symbols themselves. I did put when the symbol was adopted or designated as the ‘official’.

I don’t know if other states have a bunch of random stuff declared as the ‘official state whatsit’, but Texas has a LOT of them…

I think all states have the basics

capital (Austin)

flag (The Lone Star Flag)

bird (Mockingbird)

tree (Pecan)

song (‘Texas, Our Texas‘)

motto (‘Friendship’)

In addition to those standards and favorites, Texas has also seen fit to adopt state:

• dish (chili)
• dog (blue lacy)
• bread (pan de campo)
• sport (rodeo)
• shell (lightening whelk)
• footwear (cowboy boots)
• vehicle (chuckwagon)
• cooking implement (cast iron dutch oven)
• gemstone – and cut (Texas Blue Topaz, Lonestar Cut)
• fabric (cotton)
• musical instrument (guitar)
• pepper (chiltepin – one of three, apparently…)

to name a few. We also have state mammals (large, small and flying), dinosaur, insect, reptile and fruit. It’s going to be fun looking all this up for other states! I found the lists that I used for Texas here:

Texas Unit Study – Texas Symbols

Symbols of Texas

Here are a couple more pictures:

It’s not shown, because I added them after I took pictures, but I started adding some famous quotes along the spaces between the minibooks. I don’t have stickers that would work well for this book – well, foil star stickers might be good. I’ll probably let the boys stick some on tomorrow.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this peek at our Texas Symbols Lapbook!

Warmly,

~h