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Home » All categories » Booking Across the USA- Illinois and a GIVEAWAY #1

Booking Across the USA- Illinois and a GIVEAWAY #1

February 25, 2013 •

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Illinois Picture Book and Activity

Welcome to the Booking Across the USA collaborative blogging project.  Over 50 bloggers have teamed up to showcase a book and activity from every state in America.  I’m excited to share about the great state of Illinois!  For a complete list of bloggers representing the other states, please click here.

Illinois Book:  Pizza Pie In The Sky:  A Story About Illinois

The book I chose to feature is Pizza Pie In The Sky: A Story About Illinois by Karen Latchana Kenney.  This a fact and fable book about a Monarch butterfly (IL state insect) who is trying to find her way south to catch up with the other migrating butterflies.  During her journey, she travels across the state of Illinois learning lots of facts about the state.  On the sidebar of each page, you will find a photograph and factual information about important landmarks and symbols of the state.  A comprehension check is included at the end of the story.  You will also find a suggested list of places to visit and a glossary to support readers.

This story would be at the interest level of  K-4th grade students and appropriate for 3rd grade readers.

Pizza Pie In the Sky:  A Story About Illinois was my first introduction to the ABDO Publishing Company and the Super Sandcastle State Stories series.  You will find fact and fable stories about many other states including : New York, Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Missouri and more!

Literacy Activity:  Illinois Board Game

After reading the story, I had the idea of creating an Illinois game board to review the facts in the story plus a few more fun tidbits about the state.  This game board idea could easily be adapted for any state you are studying.

state board game

Materials Needed:

 1/2 piece of foam board, piece of cardboard or blank game board (I like these from Bare Books.)

an outline of the state of Illinois or you could free-hand your own

markers or crayons

scissors

2 pennies (Abraham Lincoln lived in IL and is on the head of a penny!)

1 die

6 index cards

Glue or draw an outline of the state in the middle of your board.  Around the state, draw your playing path.  Try to get at least 25 spaces.  Mark 4-6 spaces with special directions such as “move ahead 1 space” or “go back to start”.  Cut your index cards in half and write an “Illinois Game Cards” statement on each card.

You are ready to play!  Place one penny heads up and one tails up on the “START” space.  Each player rolls the die and moves their playing piece accordingly.  A card is picked and read each turn.  First player to make it around the board wins.

For a deeper learning experience, have your child design their own board and questions!

Now, let’s move on to that fabulous giveaway opportunity!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

We are very excited to offer a GIVEAWAY today to go along with the Booking Across the USA project.  Little Passports is a super fun way for your child to learn about the USA. It’s recommended for ages 7-12.  Every month, Sam and Sofia travel to two new states.  In the mail each month, your child will receive a package of learning adventures and games.  Little Passports offers different subscription packages based on your needs.  They even have a world passport collection too.  Little Passports has graciously agreed to give a 3-month subscription of the USA Little Passports to one lucky Growing Book by Book reader!

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

To enter the giveaway for a 3-month subscription of the USA Little Passports you will need to either “Like” Little Passports on Facebook OR sign up for The Little Passports Newsletter.  After you have done either one of these, simply leave a comment on this post telling us which one you did.  That’s it!  You have until 3/3/13 at 9:00p.m. (CST) to enter.  One entrant (must be 18 years or older) will be randomly drawn and announced on Growing Book By Book the week of 3/3/13.  The winner will also receive an email and has 48 hours to respond with a mailing address.  If the information is not sent by the deadline, another entrant will be selected.  Good luck!

Don’t forget to visit the other participating bloggers in the Booking Across the USA project.  You may also be interested in my Booking Across the USA Pinterest page.

Thanks for reading!  I would love for you to subscribe to our RSS Feed, like us on Facebook or follow us on Pinterest.

Please see the linky directory at the bottom of the page to see where this post has been linked.

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Filed Under: All categories Tagged With: board game about Illinois, Booking Across the USA, books about the United States, children's books about IL, children's books about Illinois, Pizza Pie In the Sky

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

Comments

  1. Gianna says

    March 3, 2013 at 10:43 pm

    I signed up for the newsletter.

  2. Savannah miller says

    March 3, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    I liked them on facebook thank you so much for this amazing giveaway 🙂
    savannahm1987@gmail.com

  3. Nicole Lancaster says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I liked Little Passports on Facebook as Nicole Lancaster.

  4. Heather M says

    March 3, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    I LOVE Little Passports on FB.

  5. Terri Moore says

    March 3, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I’m a Facebook fan of Little Passports.
    terri.moore 30 at yahoo dot com

  6. Nichole says

    March 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    Follow on FB. Thanks!

  7. Rena (An Ordinary Housewife) says

    March 3, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I “liked” on facebook. This seems like a really neat program!

  8. Kevin E says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:03 am

    I “liked” Little Passports on Facebook.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  9. Lagean (Gena) says

    March 2, 2013 at 10:46 pm

    FB: Lagean Ellis

    ubrewme@yahoo.com

  10. G says

    March 2, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    I signed up for their newsletter with dh_jax@yahoo.com
    Thank you so much, little passports is a really neat subscription box and looks like lots of fun!

  11. Phxbne says

    March 2, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    Facebook like Michele Daley

  12. Jayme Hennessy says

    March 2, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    I liked Little Passports on facebook. My facebook user id url is https://www.facebook.com/hennessyj5.

  13. Teish says

    March 2, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    I like Little Passports on Facebook! I had no idea they offered a package for states! Cool!

  14. dawn k says

    March 2, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    I followed little passports on Facebook. Thanks for the giveaway!

  15. Nichol Tone says

    March 2, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    Liked little passports on fb

  16. Penelope says

    March 2, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    I did both! 🙂 I’ve been a subscriber of theirs for a while, so I liked their FB page for this giveaway. 🙂 Thanks for hosting!

  17. Heather Wone says

    March 2, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway, I likes them on facebook 🙂

  18. Nancy says

    March 2, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    I like Little Passports on FB.

  19. Suzie Williams says

    March 2, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I like Little Passports on FB.

  20. PennyMindingMom says

    March 2, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Liked little passports on facebook!

  21. Miranda Gonzalez says

    March 2, 2013 at 10:44 am

    I liked Little Passports on FB. Thanks for the chance to win!

  22. Amanda says

    March 2, 2013 at 12:34 am

    I liked on FB!

  23. Annette Rosenberg says

    March 2, 2013 at 12:15 am

    I “liked” them on Facebook, thank you!

  24. Jennifer Shelton says

    March 1, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    “Liked” on Facebook 🙂
    Jennifer Shelton

  25. Mrs. J says

    March 1, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    So sad to see that DC was left out of your booking across the USA! Especially sad since it is the capitol of our country 🙁 I know we are a district and not technically a state, but we’re still an important and interesting place!

    Loved the booking across America though and enjoyed going to and learning about each state.

    Mrs. J

    • JodieRodriguez says

      March 1, 2013 at 1:49 pm

      You are so right! We need to add Washington DC to this project. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

  26. tina reynolds says

    March 1, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I signed up for the newsletter eaglesforjack@gmail.com I would love for my oldest

  27. Sarah says

    February 28, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    Liked Little Passports on FB!

  28. PlayDrMom says

    February 28, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    Thanks so much for hosting this amazing event.

    The book you shared sounds really interesting! And I love the activities. Great post!

  29. Shelley says

    February 28, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    I liked Little Passports on Facebook.

  30. Danielle Porter says

    February 28, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    I like them on FB. 😉

  31. Heather S. says

    February 28, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    I like Little Passports on Facebook: Heather Schonrock Lyons
    hschonrock at yahoo dot com

  32. Deb says

    February 28, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    I like Little Passports on Facebook!

  33. miranda says

    February 28, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    liked Little Passports on FB

  34. Mary Christine says

    February 28, 2013 at 5:38 am

    I liked Little Passports on Facebook. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  35. Heidi D. says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:28 am

    I liked them on facebook and signed up to receive their newsletter. This looks like a fabulous resource. Thanks for the chance to win.

  36. Thaleia@something2offer says

    February 27, 2013 at 7:16 am

    I just liked on facebook. Cannot believe I had not before:) One of these days I will find out about one of these group blogger opps and be apart of one!

  37. susan says

    February 27, 2013 at 3:35 am

    I Like Little Passports on Facebook.

  38. Karyn Lowe says

    February 26, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    When I can’t decide, I say do both. I love the fscebook page and can’t wait to get the newsletter.

  39. Dianne says

    February 26, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    I like Little Passports on Facebook as Dianne Downs Osmun.

  40. Honeybelles says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:37 am

    Liked them on facebook 🙂

  41. Becky says

    February 26, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Just liked Little Passports on facebook- that looks like an awesome program!!! 🙂

  42. Erika ~ Prey Species says

    February 26, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I liked Little Passports on Facebook – what a fantastic program 🙂 My family would love to try it!

  43. PragmaticMom says

    February 26, 2013 at 6:53 am

    What a great idea for teaching geography! I liked Little Passports on FB.

  44. Susan says

    February 26, 2013 at 6:42 am

    I signed up for the newsletter on little passports-looks like a terrific program! Hope I win!

  45. Tanya M says

    February 26, 2013 at 2:55 am

    I signed up for their newsletter.Thank you for the giveaway.

  46. JJ says

    February 26, 2013 at 12:03 am

    I liked Little Passports on FB!

  47. Sherry says

    February 25, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    I liked Little Passports on FB.

  48. Hilary says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    I signed up for the newsletter. Thanks for the chance.

  49. Lynda @ Rhody Reader says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    I signed up for the Little Passports newsletter…they seem like a neat company, so I’m looking forward to learning more! Thanks!

  50. kelly tillotson says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    i like little passports on facebook. im following you on pinterest, and im looking forward to all the other bloggers state books and activities! thank you!!
    *kelly
    kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com

  51. Stacy says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    I liked them on Facebook! I found Booking Across the USA through Pinterest and I’m so glad I did – can’t wait for my daughter to do state projects at school now!

  52. Rachel Muniz says

    February 25, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    I liked you on FB and signed up for the newsletter! This is too cool!

  53. Ashley Reed says

    February 25, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I liked them on Facebook. I love this amazing collaboration. Thank you all!! Ashleybowlesreed@hotmail.com

  54. Maria says

    February 25, 2013 at 10:40 am

    I signed up for the newsletter. Thanks for leading me to their site.

  55. Kerry Aradhya says

    February 25, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Hi, Jodie! Your game is adorable. Looks like you put a lot of effort into it! I’m not going to enter the giveaway, but my daughters both received a three-month subscription to Little Passports over the holidays (one to the USA edition and one to the international edition). It’s a fantastic product!

  56. Rebecca Flansburg says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:06 am

    I Liked Little Passports on Facebook (Becky Flansburg). Our son is really struggling with learning about the states so this would help out tremendously.

  57. Kristina @ SchoolTimeSnippets says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:33 am

    I will definitely look out for that book at our library! Sounds like such a cute learning resource!!

  58. CountryFun ChildCare (@CountryFunCC) says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Jodie, Thank you for pulling this all together. We may not get to all the states this year, but the resources this event is providing is wonderful. thinking your book will be good to pull when we do our year monarch study. Developing an understanding of home/town/state/country is helped when there is a common interest point.

  59. Kelly at Little Wonders' Days says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:31 am

    Hi Jodie,

    Thanks for hosting this fun event. I’ve made a goal to go through all the states with my kids, so I’m excited to have so many great resources to get us started!

  60. erin says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:07 am

    I signed up for their newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway!

  61. Helen says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:45 am

    I liked Little Passports on Facebook. What a neat looking program!

Trackbacks

  1. Booking across the USA : Indiana | Teach Preschool says:
    February 26, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    […] Illinois State Post by Growing Book by Book […]

  2. Country Fun's Book Files - Books Across the USA Blog Hop says:
    February 26, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    […] IllinoisIllinois State Post by Growing Book by Book […]

  3. Booking Across the USA – Florida | says:
    February 26, 2013 at 6:12 am

    […] Illinois: Growing Book by Book […]

  4. Booking Across the USA Highlights and GIVEAWAY #2 says:
    February 26, 2013 at 6:02 am

    […] Illinois: Growing Book by Book […]

  5. Montessori-Inspired State Box - Colorado | LivingMontessoriNow.com says:
    February 25, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    […] IllinoisIllinois State Post by Growing Book by Book […]

  6. Curls and a Smile says:
    February 25, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Booking Across the USA- The Lone Star State!…

    Howdy from the great state of Texas!! I am so excited to be part of an amazing blog hop showcasing bloggers…

  7. Learning about the US through Children's Books says:
    February 25, 2013 at 9:27 am

    […] Booking Across the USA is a collaborative blogging project created by Jodie from Growing Book By Book.  Each of the participating bloggers are showcasing a book and activity related to their state:  all 50 states are represented!!! Children’s literature is a fun way to bring history, culture, and geography alive and to learn about the US through “armchair travel.” The book I’ve chosen to represent Texas is Tomie dePaola’s “The Legend of the Bluebonnet.” […]

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