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Let’s get Historical!
Have students make their own historical marker based on something historical in their community. Or, take a walking field trip to any markers near your school and learn together.  Discuss what the two numbers in the bottom right corner of the marker denote.  (Example: #23-1 notes that this particular marker erected in Adams County, which alphabetically is the first county.)  Study the 88 counties of Ohio. What number is your county alphabetically? 

For older students, have each 4th and 5th grade class make replicas of the historical markers in your area and have student film crew take a walking tour via camera footage.
Standard addressed: History
(Book reference: Wild History)


It’s Dark in Here!
Have students make their own cave using a blanket and include materials that they would need to survive.

For the older students, assign a research project on all of the caves in Ohio.
Standard addressed: Geography
(Book reference: Cool Caves!)

Let the class create their own Serpent Mound using clay.
Standards addressed: Geography and People in Societies
(Book reference: Mounds and More)


Soap Stars
Children could bring in Procter and Gamble products and donate to a local homeless shelter.  Discuss the creation of this great Cincinnati company.
Standards addressed: Economics and Citizens Rights and Responsibilities
(Book reference:  River City)


Flying High
Have students make paper airplanes to understand the concept of flight.
(Share resource book and sample.)
Read about Orville and Wilbur Wright and their historical flight off Kitty Hawk. Who was in the plane? (Orville!)
Standard addressed: History/Growth

Visit www.sunwatch.org and learn all about the Sunwatch Indian village in Dayton.  Great for lesson plans on Native Indians.
Standard addressed: People in Societies
(Book reference: Flying High)


My way or the Highway!
Students can make their own version of 1-75 running through Ohio…all 211 miles of this major transportation corridor.  Encourage them to research and include major highlights along the way, many included in the Road Trip section of Hidden Ohio!
Standard addressed: Geography/Location
(Book reference: Road Trip)

Read The Legend of Blue Jacket by Michael Spradlin to students. 

McKinley Street in Bellefontaine is only 20 feet long.  Have students measure off 20 feet in the hallway.
Standard addressed: Geography/location
(Book reference: Fun’s-a-Poppin’)


Literally
Louis Bromfield, the Pulitzer Prize winning author lived in Ohio all his life.  Have students research children’s book authors and illustrators that were born or lived in Ohio.  Mark an Ohio map with their hometowns.
Standard addressed: Geography
(Book reference: Between the “C”s)

Reference website: www.ohioana.org  www.clairesday.org

Center of Attention
Take a virtual tour of the Ohio Statehouse!

On October 6, 2009, something historical happened at the Ohio Statehouse.
Find out what that was!

Students can create a Webquest on Columbus!