What's in a Name?

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students learn the origins of the names of U.S. states, focusing on names that were derived from Native American words.

Subjects: Language Arts

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• learn about the origins of the names of states in the United States.

Keywords
Native American, United States, states, origins, names

Materials Needed

• copies of the names of the U.S. states or a U.S. map
• paper, pens or pencils
• computers with Internet access or library resources about the states
• printouts of Origin of the Names of 28 U.S. States 

Procedure

1. Students may work independently or in small groups to complete this activity. Start the activity by providing each student or group with a list of the names of the 50 states (or have students use a map to create a list). Then challenge students to find the origin of each state's name. The students may use classroom or library resources about the states or any of a wide variety of Internet sites, including 50states.com to locate state name origins.
    
2. Ask each student or student group to compile a list of the state names that have Native American origins. When lists are complete, distribute the printouts the origins of the state names. How many states from that list of 28 states with Native American name origins did each student or group locate?

Extension
Have students create a picture glossary of states derived from Native American words. Have students use a text map reference for the shape of each state.

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