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Roll into the wide-open prairies of Iowa, where amber waves of grain meet winding rivers, kettle lakes, and towering bluffs. You’ll learn all about the Indigenous groups who were the first to call this land home, the Louisiana Purchase, the Black Hawk War, and pioneer life. Explore Iowa’s rich prairie habitats and state symbols, along with Iowa’s economy. From Tulip Time celebrations to fluffy poffertjes, there is more here than meets the eye. Student Book activities include mapping, lesson summaries, farming equipment, pioneer life, and so much more. Let's go!
Buy NowStudents explore Iowa’s prairie habitats and the plants and animals that live there, along with state nature highlights like the American goldfinch, wild rose, bur oak, geodes, and local wildlife. Older levels dig deeper into how Iowa’s landscape influences climate, crystal formation, and Iowa’s agriculture/industry connections (including biotechnology), with hands-on experiments like rocket flight and “wheat to flour.”
Learners locate Iowa’s major places and features—Des Moines, the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and key towns and sites (like the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and Maquoketa Caves). As levels progress, students add landforms (like kettle lakes), identify neighboring states, and connect symbols like the state seal with Iowa’s location and regions.
Each lesson builds vocabulary and comprehension through Iowa-themed readings and prompts. Younger students answer questions, solve riddles, and create a unit banner with state symbols and facts, while older students use guided notes, write summaries, create their own riddles, and complete a final presentation-style project with planning, writing prompts, and a rubric.
Students trace Iowa’s timeline from the Louisiana Purchase and pioneer settlement through statehood and key historical moments and innovations. Lessons highlight pioneer life, early farming and trades, changes in agriculture and equipment, and notable Iowans like astronaut Walter Cunningham, with added depth for older students.
Students learn Iowa’s quick facts, symbols, and cultural roots (including Indigenous history), then explore how communities live and work in the state. Topics include mining towns, assembly lines and production, cost of living, local government (including the caucus), traditions and events like RAGBRAI and Tulip Time, and creating a news report or family-style “county seat” meeting plan.
Students study American Gothic by Iowa artist Grant Wood, reflect on what they see in the artwork, and complete a related activity (including a sketch-coloring option for younger students). They also design their own state symbol, with older students extending into art movements like American regionalism and modernism.
This unit includes Scripture memory and reflection passages across the lessons: Jeremiah 6:16; 1 Samuel 16:7 with Jeremiah 17:7–8; Lamentations 3:22–23; and Colossians 3:23.
Access helpful materials, guides, and downloads that support your learning journey with Gather ’Round. Explore our growing library of resources designed to make teaching simple and engaging.
Explore ResourcesAccess helpful materials, guides, and downloads that support your learning journey with Gather ’Round. Explore our growing library of resources designed to make teaching simple and engaging.
Explore ResourcesH is for Hawkeye: An Iowa Alphabet
by Patricia A. Pierce
American Gothic: The Life of Grant Wood
by Susan Wood
What’s Great About Iowa? (Our Great States)
by Kristin Marciniak
Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
by Megan Bannister
Animals of Iowa!: A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children
by Hope Aicher
Critters of Iowa: Pocket Guide to Animals in Your State
by Alex Troutman
A Year of Iowa Nature: Discovering Where We Live
by Carl Kurtz
Numbers in a Row: An Iowa Number Book
by Patricia A. Pierce
Old Town in the Green Groves: An Ingalls Family Pioneer Adventure (Little House Series for Kids)
by Cynthia Rylant
Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Family and Food (America Palate)
by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
ABCs of Iowa: An Alphabet Book of Love, Family, and Togetherness
by Sandra Magsamen
How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure
by John Rocco
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
by Vicki Myron
Hands-on Activity
Hands-on Activity
Science + History: Apollo 7 (Extension Activity) (Lesson 4, page 2)
Science + History: Apollo 7 (Extension Activity) (Lesson 4, page 2)
Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.
When you complete the unit, grab a certificate to celebrate your progress!
Download CertificateWhen you complete the unit, grab a certificate to celebrate your progress!
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