US Geography - The Volunteer State (Tennessee)

So I found this AWESOME series of Books at Timberdoodle.  I have 2 kids that love to draw.  So what better way to keep attention is to teach State Geography and History information with a drawing book.  I also found this other book at a sale somewhere...I'm sorry, I don't remember where.

Since we were in Tennessee last week with Daddy for work, we started with Tennessee.  Especially worked out niced since we were near the State Capital.

We learned about state seals and flags.  We also worked on drawing pictures of the State tree and flower.  Daily we quizzed each other about certain Tennessee facts. 

We visited the State Capital...

We looked at the earliest settlers....even before the the frontier folk.  This museum allowed us to look at nomadic life (was able to tie it into our History unit in Story of the World...whoohoo!).

We learned there were 3 presidents that called Tennessee Home.  We were able to visit The Hermitage, which was Andrew Jackson's home.

When we got home, I made a Tennessee Meal.  I was going to go with BBQ beef over mashed sweet potatoes.  But Joey chose a recipe we found called, Tennessee Steak Soup.


Tennessee Steak Soup

Here's what in our version (because I cannot cook with broth, onions or garlic).

1.5 lbs Ground round
diced celery and carrots
1 can of organic diced tomatoes
3 cans of water

I sauteed the beef and drained it.  I sauteed the carrots and celery in coconut oil until slightly soft.  Added the veggies to the meat.  Dumped in the tomatoes and then added 3 cans of water.  Let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the carrots to finish cooking.  I also added salt and pepper.  That is something you can do to taste.  You can also add onions and garlic to your taste.  Also diced white potatoes.  Just adjust your cooking time.  Instead of water, use beef broth and you can also add worchester sauce. 

This was yummy. (Even my blander version.)

And now we are off to visit....Indiana.