Geography Travels: Hawaii

This is the final post for 4th grade US geography!  Out of the 17 states we studied during the 2010-2011 school year, Hawaii was one of 3 states that I told Isaac we were definitely studying (I let him choose the other 14).  He didn’t argue—he seemed very interested in learning about this state that sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!  One reason I chose Hawaii (other than it being so fascinating and so vastly different than the other states) is that I remember doing a whole unit on Hawaii when I was in 3rd grade.  I particularly remember that at the end of our study, the entire 3rd grade got to have a huge Hawaiian lau’u at school!  How fun is that?
Here’s what we did in our Hawaii study:
Week 1
Located Hawaii on a map; found capital city.
Listened to Pacific States Song (Geography Songs)
Discussed how Hawaii is the only state of the United States that:

• is not geographically located in North America
• grows coffee
• is completely surrounded by water
• is entirely an archipelago
• has a royal palace
• does not have a straight line in its state boundary

Notebook page (Homeschool Creations)
Named the 8 main islands of Hawaii
Geography from A to Z: archipelago, islands, volcanoes, tropical zone, ocean
Volcanoes
The Eruption of Kilauea (YouTube video)
From Mountain to Sea trailer (YouTube video)
Map page (Enchanted Learning), flag page (Apples 4 the Teacher)
Hawaii Kids—This website has info on Hawaiian animals, but it also has lots of other cool facts about Hawaii.






Week 2
Discussed Hawaiian history—James Cook, kingdom, statehood
YouTube video King Kamehameha III
Pearl Harbor
Read book Pearl Harbor by Stephen Krensky
Watched YouTube video Pearl Harbor Day Attack.
Discussed Hawaiian customs and made a lei:

Discussed lu’au, the Hawaiian feast which is usually only celebrated at a child’s first birthday, a wedding, or (mostly) as a tourist event.  A lu’au is usually a potluck, set up as a buffet.  Traditionally, roast pig is served.  We had intended to have our own lu’au, but we ran out of time (and money).
Music & Dance—Watched YouTube videos:
Hawaiian Dance and Music Instruments
Hana Chant Ipu Part
Hawaiian Dance Hand Movements
Hula Halau O Kamuela
Hula Dance Step-Kaholo
History of the Ukulele (website)
Hawaiian language—Discussed greetings and also colors

More Ideas:
Here’s good website for luau recipes and ideas: Top Party Ideas--Luau
Giggles and Crayons has some nice Hawaii ideas.
A to Z Kids Stuff--Hawaii

Making Friends (Hawaiian paper dolls)
Now that I’ve finally posted the last geography unit for Isaac’s 4th grade, I can start posting our units from his 5th grade year (which has just finished…wow, am I ever behind).
I'm linking this post to "History and Geography" at All Things Beautiful.