Discover the power of music in education with “The 50 States That Rhyme” song lyrics! This catchy tune is a fun and effective way to memorize all fifty US states. Is singing “fluff” in the classroom, or could it be a powerful learning tool? Let’s explore how song lyrics can make learning geography memorable and engaging for everyone.
The 50 States That Rhyme Song Lyrics
Here are the lyrics to “The 50 States That Rhyme” song, perfect for helping students of all ages learn the states:
Alabama, and Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas
California, Colorado, Co-nnecticut and more
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho
Illinois, Indi-a-na, I-o-wa …35 to go…
Kansas, and Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine
Maryland, Massachusetts and good old Michigan
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Montana
Nebraska’s 27, number 28’s NevadaNext, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, and way down, New Mexico
There’s New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, now let’s see
Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, TennesseeTexas and there’s Utah, Vermont, I’m almost through
Virginia and there’s Washington, and West Virginia, too
Could Wisconsin be the last state or is it just 49?
No, Wyoming is the last state in The 50 States That Rhyme!
The effectiveness of using songs for learning was highlighted in a personal anecdote. Despite attending an educational workshop where a presenter dismissed singing as “fluff” lacking “power per minute,” the real-world impact of music proved otherwise. When asked to recall a song about the 50 states learned in second grade, the author’s twin ninth-grade daughters effortlessly sang “The 50 States That Rhyme” in under ten minutes. They attributed their quick recall solely to learning the states through this very song! This experience underscores the surprising “power per minute” that music holds in memory and education, directly contradicting the presenter’s viewpoint.
Want to further explore the world of US geography and learning with music? Here are some helpful resources:
- How Does Music Influence Young Learners? Explore the research behind music and education: alphlist.html#research
- 50 States Worksheets, Maps and Online Activities: Tools for interactive state learning: http://www.50states.com/tools/
- Mnemonic Devices to Remember the 50 States and Capitals: Memory aids for state facts: http://mrsjonesroom.com/themes/usa.html
- 50 States of Mind Visual Mnemonics: Learn Geography Visually: Visual learning techniques for geography: http://www.papernapkin.com/imagine/index.html
- States and Capitals Memory Game: Fun game to test your knowledge: http://www.webeans.net/hutt/educ/statesmemory.htm
- The 50 State Capitals Song: Another song for learning capitals: 50capitals.html
- Place your mouse over a state to learn its name and capital: Interactive map for learning: http://www.yourchildlearns.com/us_map.htm
- Test Your Geography Knowledge: Geography quizzes to challenge yourself: http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html
- Official State Song for Each State: Discover state anthems: http://www.50states.com/songs/
- Drag and Drop each state to its correct place on the USA map: Interactive map puzzle: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
- Where Is That? Which state is highlighted? State identification game: http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/wh.cgi?A1=s&A15=usa&A2=0&INSTRUCTS=1
- Guess the State ~ Guess the Capital: State and capital guessing game: http://www.schoolexpress.com/funtime/states_capitals/states_capitals.php
- 50 State Worksheets: Printable worksheets for state learning: http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/states.html
- Free USA Map Puzzle Software: Digital map puzzle for geography learning: http://www.yourchildlearns.com/puzzle_us.htm
- 50 States Book List: Books about each state: http://www.mrsmcgowan.com/projects/flags/states_books.htm
- Lyrics to The Fifty Nifty States – No Music: Lyrics for another states song: http://www.proteacher.net/archive/posts/2002/03/04/29744.html
- Songs about US States or with State Names: Explore more state-related songs: http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2003-3/thismonth/feature.asp http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2003-8/thismonth/featurea.asp http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2003-8/thismonth/featureb.asp
- State Songs: Links to official state songs: http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/song/ http://www.shgresources.com/resources/symbols/songs/
- State Song Midis (scroll down): MIDI files of state songs: http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/midi/Anthems/index.shtml
- The Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Activities: Activities related to US symbols: http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_pledge_of_allegiance.html
- List of States and Capitals: Simple list for reference: http://www.activitiesforkids.com/internet/capitals1.htm
- Match Capitals to their States: Matching game for capitals and states: http://www.activitiesforkids.com/internet/capitals2.htm
- State Name Word Search: Word search puzzle featuring state names: http://www.activitiesforkids.com/words/states1.htm
- Official State Nicknames: Learn state nicknames: http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/Social_Studies/geo/PDF_word/statenicknames.pdf
- Answer Questions About the USA Based on Latitude and Longitude: Geography quiz using coordinates: http://cuip.uchicago.edu/www4teach/97/jlyman/default/quiz/geogtest1.html
- Blackline Maps: Printable state and USA maps: http://www.coloringcastle.com/state_coloring_pages.html
- Learn more about the 50 states: More resources for state information: http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255f03/cs255students/jedens/P9/Unit.html http://www.teacheroz.com/states.htm http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/listusahistmr.html http://www.proteacher.com/090028.shtml
- Blinkies for each state: Fun state graphics: http://www.lilmsglitter.com/states.htm http://www.lilmsglitter.com/states1.htm
Music offers a powerful and enjoyable way to learn. “The 50 States That Rhyme” song lyrics are a testament to the effectiveness of incorporating music into education, proving that learning can be both fun and memorable. Try using this song and explore the resources above to enhance your understanding of the 50 US states!