Pennsylvania: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

I learned that the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich was created in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is a sandwich made with very thinly sliced steak and melted cheese served on long skinny bread. In Kansas City, one of our popular restaurants, Chartroose Caboose, serves Philly Cheesesteaks. We went to the restaurant and tried the sandwiches for lunch.

My parents really like the sandwiches, but I wasn’t a big fan. Mom had grilled onions and horseradish sauce on her sandwich. Dad enjoyed mushrooms on his. I had a plain cheesesteak. It was good, but I prefer Peanut Butter and Jelly.

 

Pennsylvania: Crayon Making

I learned that Crayola Crayons are made in Pennsylvania. I also learned that Fred Rogers, better known as Mr. Rogers from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was from Pennsylvania.

I read several books about how Crayons are made including From Wax to Crayon and How Crayons are Made and books about Fred Rogers, then I watched a video Mr. Rogers Neighborhood: How Crayons are Made. After learning about crayons, we made our own crayons with the Crayola Crayon Maker.

In order to make a crayon, first wax is melted, then it is poured into a mold, then it hardens, it is removed from the mold and wrapped. Crayola then has workers box the wrapped crayons for children.

I think Crayola Crayons are my favorite thing from Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania: Facts and Fun

Pennsylvania is a very interesting state. Many famous people are from Pennsylvania from Benjamin Franklin to Edwin Binney.

Facts about Pennsylvania:

• Capital: Harrisburg
• Nickname: Keystone State
• Statehood: December 12, 1787 (2nd)
• Motto: Virtue, Liberty, and Independence
• Bird: Ruffed Grouse
• Highest Point: Mt. Davis

Children’s Books about Pennsylvania that we read:

• One for All: A Pennsylvania Number Book by Trinka Hakes Noble. This book is full of interesting facts about Pennsylvania. It talks about famous people from Pennsylvania, like Mr. Rogers. It also tells of Pennsylvania’s history.
• The Colony of Pennsylvania: A Primary Source of History by Melody S. Mis. This is the story of Pennsylvania. It tells how William Penn and Quakers settled in Pennsylvania and purchased land from Native Americans. It then explains the American Revolution and Washington’s famous winter at Valley Forge. Pennsylvania became the second state.
• K is for Keystone by Kristen Kane. This is an alphabet book full of interesting trivia about Pennsylvania. I was interested in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water House!
• Pennsylvania: Facts and Symbols by Emily McAuliffe. Pennsylvania was named for William Penn, a Quaker settler in the colonies and founder of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s means “Penn’s Woods.” I also learned more about the building and history of the state.
• Welcome to the U.S.A.: Pennsylvania by Ann Heinrichs. This is another Pennsylvania trivia book. I really liked the illustrations and explanations.
• Sparrow Jack by Mordicai Gerstein. This is the story of an Englishman, Jack Bardsley, who moved to Pennsylvania and discovered an incredible problem of inchworms. Jack knew that Sparrows from England would eat the inchworms and solve the dilemma of dying plants in Pennsylvania. So, he voyaged to England and brought 1000 sparrows to America. This story is part history and part legend.
• John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith. This is a humorous illustrated book about John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Ben Franklin (lived in Philadelphia most of his life) as children.
• Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Beretta. This book tells of the inventions of Ben Franklin and how they improved our world – even today. It was interesting to learn how he discovered the nature of electricity and how to use it. I cannot imagine flying a kite in a storm! He also invented a stick to help you grab things (known as the grabber now). I learned that Franklin invented the rocking chair… but it was more unusual than the one we use now – he made one with a fan on top, and another that could churn butter while rocking! Not only was he a great inventor, he also helped form America’s government.
• Ben and Me by Robert Lawson. This is a fictional story about Benjamin Franklin. In the story, Benjamin Franklin becomes friends with a mouse. The mouse helps Ben with his inventions. For instance, when Ben broke his glasses and the mouse fixed them with two pieces – one for reading, and one for seeing far away – this inspired bifocals. Ben Franklin asked the mouse to be his friend forever. The mouse helped inspire the Declaration of Independence and many of Franklin’s inventions. The story is imaginary, but it is fun to pretend.

Animals from Pennsylvania that I learned about:

Pennsylvania’s state animal is the whitetail deer. We read about the white tailed deer in three books, Stranger in the Woods, First Snow in the Woods, and Lost in the Woods. I learned to draw a white tailed deer.

Common animals in Pennsylvania include: Robin, crow, deer, opposum, trout, fireflies, and raccoon.

Fun Things I Learned about Pennsylvania:

• Popular foods include: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Shoofly Pie, Hershey Chocolate, and soft pretzels. We tried all of these foods this month!
• Milton Hershey founded Hershey Chocolate and it is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, known as the chocolate capital of the United States.
• Crayola Crayons and the Slinky are both manufactured in Pennsylvania.
• Monopoly was invented by Charles B. Darrow from Philadelphia.
• Every year on February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, predicts the weather – if he sees his shadow Americans believe that predicts six more weeks of winter.
• The Liberty Bell first rang in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.
• Fred Rogers, better known as Mr. Rogers, is from Pittsburgh.
• Benjamin Franklin lived in Philadelphia. He invented many wonderful things including the rocking chair, bifocals, and more. He also founded the first library in Pennsylvania.