Mystery States

Print out the outline map of Alaska. Show it to the class and post it on the bulletin board. Let students know that this is one of the 50 states in the United States. All they have to do is figure out which one! Then give students clues about the state, such as the following:

I have the longest coastline of all the U.S. states.
I am the farthest west of all the states.
I am the largest state.
My capital is Juneau.
One of my mountains, Mt. McKinley, is the highest in the United States.

In their free time, have students study the shape of the state and the clues. Allow them to refer to their atlases or United States desk maps. Once they know the state, have students write their names and the name of the state on a piece of paper and put it in a ballot-type box.

At the end of the day, review the clues. Use the Nystrom United States First Map or Readiness Wall Map or Desk Map 1C, 2C, or 3C to help students narrow down the location. Then announce the name of the mystery state—Alaska. Open the ballot box and see how many students identified the correct state.

Stay tuned: New mystery states will be added from time to time.