With the demands of reading, writing and mathematics at this age, parents often have

What you'll need: One laminated map of the United States (You can purchase the map at any bookstore. You can get the map laminated at any copy store or possibly at your child's school.) Popsicle sticks A sock Overhead or dry erase markers One package of baby wipes or Wet Ones

no time to work with their children in the realm of social studies. This game requires almost no preparation, lasts for years and can be modified a thousand times to help your child with identifying states, rivers, mountain, capitals, directions, borders and cities.

Here's How to Do It

Put the name of each state on a popsicle stick. Put the sticks in a sock. As you are making dinner or reading the newspaper, have your second-grader take five sticks out of the sock. Find those states on the map and circle them. It's that easy and you can just imagine the modifications you can make.

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Jane Ann Robertson was Arizona's Teacher of the Year in 2004. She teaches elementary school in Prescott, Arizona.

Updated October 2007