Driving behind this truck last fall, I realized with horror that even though I try to be the Retro Roadmap Hostess With The Mostess, I had a guilty confession. I don’t know my states by sight as well as I should…!
(That little map had me stymied for miles! Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa?, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and I confess, I had to look up a few – eek!)
I felt it was only right to share this with you, dear readers, as I’m just lil ol me, and have my weaknesses just like everyone. Even when it’s related to something so important to me – like MAPS!
But yes, Elementary school friends and I joke about spending almost an entire year learning about the Revolutionary War and no time on the states outside of New England, as Geography was replaced with Social Studies.
I’m mortified when I can’t immediately see a map in my head when someone mentions a state, but I think it’s also why I’m so committed to Retro Roadmap. After each Retro Roadtrip I realize I have my own memories of these states, and can picture us driving through them. AND I hope that these cool old places we tell you about will help you put these states on the map in your mind.
Now all I have to do is get through all 48 and then all 50!
Lizzie
January 25, 2012 at 8:22 pmOh my! The hours I’ve spend drilling these into the heads of 5th graders! I hope that now some of them appreciate it.
Lizzie
January 25, 2012 at 8:22 pmMake that “hours I’ve spent.”
Mod Betty
January 25, 2012 at 9:37 pmAh, your typo makes me feel better! And YES it was 5th grade (decades ago!) Growing up just outside of Boston and right near the Bicentennial, we were all about the Stamp Act, Lexington & Concord, Tea Party, Whites of Their Eyes, etc. But honestly, I remember getting a mimeographed handout wit a list of the states and capitals – we learned all 6 New England ones, and past that I think we got geographically to New York, that’s it. That’s why I’ve got maps aplenty all around me now!
Matt Smallwood
February 15, 2012 at 3:55 pmSo, you don’t know all of them or some of them, Betty? I can help….my parents grew up in Illinois and I’ve seen all of these states on a map. Starting out…left side, from top to bottom, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri. 🙂
Mod Betty
February 15, 2012 at 5:46 pmShow off! 😉
M-I-M I’ll see if that helps me remember those ones. OR I may just have to go visit ’em all and have memories in each, that usually helps too! Thanks for the assistance, Matt!
Lizzie
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmOh my! The hours I’ve spend drilling these into the heads of 5th graders! I hope that now some of them appreciate it.
Lizzie
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmMake that “hours I’ve spent.”
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