Arkansas Natural Resources map and activities for 1st grade

One of my favorite mini-units to do after testing is Arkansas History.  In fact, I’ve even done this the week of testing. The Arkansas natural resources map is so hands-on a a change of pace from the testing routine. And so many of the other Arkansas History activities are just coloring and cutting and gluing–which are great to spread out and do on the floor after a full morning of sitting quietly in a desk filling in bubbles. ***rolling eyes***

In Arkansas, we can get FREE coloring books with our state symbols.  After a morning of testing, we grab our crayons and find a friend to color with and spread out on the floor to color!  No, it’s not super academic, but it’s mindless and just what my firsties need after an exhausting morning of testing.

I play some Arkansas state songs on a playlist and we chill!

The other thing I love about it is that this chill coloring session gives me time to pull small groups to work on our state natural resources maps.  Here’s a look at how we use this mini-unit during testing week to learn about Natural Resources in Arkansas!

For my first graders, natural resource is not a new term when we are learning about it with Arkansas History.  Our third content unit is all about economics and we cover natural resources with several read alouds, book activities, sorts and more.  So, my first graders *should* be pros at resources by the end of the year. And now we can just focus on the natural resources in our state.

Arkansas, Arkansas, What Do You See? Booklet

First, we read through our Arkansas, Arkansas, What Do You See digital booklet. We use this powerpoint shared reading file to read the book aloud in full color. As we read, we talk about the natural resources and symbols as we read.

Then, they can work on their own Arkansas, Arkansas, What Do You See booklets. We do 1-2 symbols a day to write and color on.  The writing can be as simple as copying a sentence you write together.

If they finish their Arkansas, Arkansas, What Do You See booklets, then they can color in their state symbols book while they are waiting their turn to make their resources map with me in a small group…. all spread out on the floor while our Arkansas songs play in the background.

Arkansas Natural Resources Map

While they are working on their state symbol writing booklets or coloring books, I pull a small group to work on their Arkansas natural resources map. We glue their natural resources on their map one at a time.  Yes, this can be done as a whole group, but after testing, it just seems like this works better for exhausted littles!

And I can stay SEATED at my small group table instead of having to pace around the room like I did all morning long for standardized testing!! Huge teacher win!

This resource map also comes as a cut and paste option if you don’t want to mess with real rice and feathers. I usually do either or…but the printable version is a great review for a sub day if you are going to be out during this unit.

These Arkansas natural resources maps make great hallway displays at the end of the year, too!  You can find this activity and many more in this Arkansas Unit for K-2 kiddos!

Want to see more of this Arkansas History unit in action?

Read about our state flag craftivity and map puzzles here.  And find all of the Me On the Map actiivties here.