This is the third book in a series of adventures involving Herkimer and a group of ten students who call themselves the Stat Pack. The first two books related to two very practical and useful mathematical subjects, statistics and finance. They were not written to be textbooks; each consisted of a series of easy-to-read vignettes involving conversations and interactions between the fantasy character Herkimer and the Stat Pack students who had a genuine desire to learn mathematical concepts that would be important and valuable as they progressed into adulthood. The statistical adventures of this group can be found in THE STATISTICAL ODYSSEY OF HERKIMER AND THE STAT PACK and the financial explorations in HERKIMER AND THE STAT PACK VENTURE INTO MONEY MATHEMATICS Both books represent AuthorHouse publications. A reader of these books would learn much about statistics and finance as they shared the experiences and activities Herkimer created for the Stat Pack. In this book the students actually join Herkimer in creating a series of fun activities designed to help readers gain a better understanding of the wonderful country known as the United States of America. It is designed to be of interest to all age groups. Adults can enjoy the book as well as children. In this period where geography is infrequently taught in schools the activities herein represent a potential source of educational family fun and enjoyment. The book should serve as a reminder that useful and meaningful educational adventures can take place outside of the school classroom.

FUN USA EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH HERKIMER AND THE STAT PACK

By Sanderson M. Smith Steven M. Solano

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Sanderson M. Smith and Steven M. Solano
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4678-7687-2

Contents

PREFACE........................................................................11INTRODUCTION...................................................................13U. S. ACTIVITY #1 (Created by Brenda and Wayne)................................15U. S. ACTIVITY #2 (Created by Valarie and Darren)..............................17U. S. ACTIVITY #3 (Created by Carolyn and Stephen).............................19U. S. ACTIVITY #4 (Created by Glen and Frances)................................21U. S. ACTIVITY #5 (Created by Janice and Roger)................................23U. S. ACTIVITY #6 (Created by Frances and Wayne)...............................25U. S. ACTIVITY #7 (Created by Glen and Janice).................................27U. S. ACTIVITY #8 (Created by Brenda and Carolyn)..............................29U. S. ACTIVITY #9 (Created by Darren and Roger)................................35U. S. ACTIVITY #10 (Created by Valarie and Stephen)............................41U. S. ACTIVITY #11 (Created by Brenda, Carolyn and Wayne)......................43U. S. ACTIVITY #12 (Created by Darren and Frances).............................45U. S. ACTIVITY #13 (Created by Valarie and Glen)...............................47U. S. ACTIVITY #14 (Created by Stephen and Janice).............................49U. S. ACTIVITY #15 (Created by Herkimer and the Stat Pack).....................51U. S. ACTIVITY #16 (Created by Herkimer and the Stat Pack).....................157U. S. ACTIVITY #17 (Created by Herkimer and the Stat Pack).....................181ACTIVITY SOLUTIONS.............................................................187DISPLAY SECTION................................................................273SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS.........................................................297

Chapter One

U.S. ACTIVITY #1 Created by Brenda and Wayne

BEGINNING LETTERS OF STATE NAMES

From previous learning experiences with Herkimer, Brenda and Wayne developed proficiency with spreadsheet construction. On the following page they created a bar chart displaying the number of times each letter represented the first letter of a state name. If you turn the page you will see this chart and your challenge is to identify the state names beginning with each of the 26 alphabetic letters.

When you turn to the next page you will know HOW MANY states have names beginning with each of the 26 letters. Prior to turning the page you might wish to accept the challenge of finding out HOW MANY states have names beginning with each of the 26 letters. If you accept this challenge indicate the number of states beginning with each letter in the table below.

Brenda and Wayne now invite you to turn the page for more fun relating to the first letter

U.S. ACTIVITY #2 Created by Valarie and Darren

NUMBER OF LETTERS IN STATE NAMES

Valarie and Darren took on this project. The basic challenge is to organize states by the number of letters making up the name of each state. On the next page they developed a spreadsheet histogram displaying the number of states having 3-letter names, 4-letter names, etc. and your job will be to identify those states.

Prior to turning the page a first challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to determine HOW MANY states have 3-letter names, 4-letter names, etc. If you choose to accept this challenge, fill in the table below BEFORE turning to the next page.

From previous experience with Herkimer the Stat Pack learned many mathematical realities. In this situation, if you took the time to fill in the table above Valarie suggests that you total the numbers you produced. Darren correctly notes that if the numbers don't total to 50 then you have definitely made a mistake in the computation process. Of course if they do total to 50 it doesn't mean that your numbers are correct but if you were careful during the computation process you have a good chance of being correct.

Now turn the page for more fun with this activity.

U.S. ACTIVITY #3 Created by Carolyn and Stephen

NUMBER OF STATE NAMES CONTAINING SPECIFIC LETTER

In a list of the names of the 50 United States, which letters appear in more than half of the names? Are there any letters that don't appear at all? The answers to these questions might surprise you.

This activity and the related spreadsheets were created by Carolyn and Stephen. If you want another challenge relating to the U.S. then prior to turning to the next page complete the table below by listing the NUMBER OF STATE NAMES that contain each letter at least once. On a separate piece of paper list the state names that contain the letter A, the letter B, etc.

Turn the page to see if your numbers agree with those displayed in the charts produced by Carolyn and Stephen.

U.S. ACTIVITY #4 Created by Glen and Frances

NUMBER OF STATE NAMES CONTAINING SPECIFIC LETTER MORE THAN ONCE

How many state names contain the letter E more than once? How about the letter M? The letter S? Which letter appears more than any other as a multiple letter in a state name? Glen and Frances constructed this activity to address questions like these.

If you accept the challenge offered by Glen and Frances then prior to turning the page complete the table below. When you turn the page you will find a display created by the two students that will allow you to determine if your numbers are correct. You will also find a convenient chart in which you can list the states with specific multiple letters.

U.S. ACTIVITY #5 Created by Janice and Roger

BEGINNING LETTERS OF STATE CAPITAL CITY NAMES

Janice and Roger took on the project of creating this activity relating to the capital cities of states. If you choose to participate use the table below to indicate the number of capital cities that begin with each of the 26 letters. When you have completed the table you can turn the page to see if you agree with the totals displayed by Janice and Roger in spreadsheet charts they constructed.

The following page also provides an opportunity to list the capital cities that begin with each letter of the alphabet.

U.S. ACTIVITY #6 Created by Frances and Wayne

ATTAINMENT-OF-STATEHOOD YEAR FOR EACH OF THE 50 STATES

If a reader is less then 50 years old then the United States has always consisted of 50 states during his or her lifetime. However, the "birth" of the oldest state occurred in 1787 and the "birth" of the newest state took place in 1959, a difference of 172 years. Frances and Wayne teamed up to create this activity.

Before turning to the page complete the table below indicating the number of states that achieved statehood during the indicated ten-year time intervals.

Now turn the page to check your numbers and complete the...