LJ_SNV
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
Designed for
6th-12th Grades,
but could be
adjusted for
younger grade
levels.
Written & designed by
Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout
of Knowledge Box Central
Nevada History Lapbook Journal
Copyright © 2012 Knowledge Box Central
www.KnowledgeBoxCentral.com
ISBN #
Ebook: 978-1-61625-687-6
CD: 978-1-61625-688-3
Printed: 978-1-61625-689-0
Publisher: Knowledge Box Central
http://www.knowledgeboxcentral.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by
USA copyright law.
The purchaser of the eBook or CD is licensed to copy this information for use with their
immediate family members only. If you are interested in copying for a larger group, please
contact the publisher.
Printed format is not to be copied and is consumable. It is designed for one student only.
All information and graphics within this product are originals or have been used with
permission from its owners, and credit has been given when appropriate. These include, but
are not limited to the following: www.iclipart.com, and Art Explosion Clipart.
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
Thanks for purchasing this product. Please check
out our Lapbook Journals for other states. The
Lapbook Journals are designed for 6th-12th grades
but could be adjusted for use with younger students.
Please also check out our Lapbooks for each state.
The Lapbooks are designed for K-8th grades.
We are designing these products, Lapbook Journals
and Lapbooks, so that they follow the same Study
Guide. This will allow for a family to study State
History TOGETHER, with each age group using the
product (Lapbook Journal or Lapbook) that best
suits that group. The parent may teach from ONE
Study Guide and allow each student to document
what he is learning in his own way.
How to Use This Product:
1. Supplies: Gather the following supplies: 3-ring binder (2 inches),
scissors, white paper, colored paper, light colored cardstock, glue, staples
& stapler, ribbon, hole punch, metal brad fasteners (optional), and
crayons or colored pencils. (If you purchased the printed format of this
product, then you will need all of the listed supplies except the paper.)
2. Brochures/Pamphlets: Contact a Chamber of Commerce or travel
agent within your state, and request brochures and pamphlets. Place a
pocket inside your binder, and keep your brochures and pamphlets there.
During your study, you may refer to these to help with answering the
questions. You may also choose to cut out some of the words or pictures
from them and decorate the pages of your notebook.
3. Study Guide: This guide contains an overview of this state’s history.
Websites where you can find additional information are included on the
last page of the Study Guide.
4. Journal Pages: These pages contain many questions that you will
need to answer during your study of this state’s history. There are 2
blank pages at the end of this section, and these are for your State
Report. This will be a short essay that tells a brief overview of what you
have learned during your study. You may add pages, as needed.
5. Lapbook Pages: This is where you will create 6 booklets that further
document what you have learned during your study. If you enjoy handson projects, you may complete these and glue them on the last 2 pages of
this section. If you choose not to complete these booklets, then we
suggest that you make sure to cover the requested information in your
State Report in the previous section.
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
The following
pages contain the
Study Guide
Print on white paper.
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
Study Guide
The Great Seal of Nevada
Welcome to Nevada, a land of vast open plains, sheep, cattle, spectacular deserts and magnificent
mountains. Gaining statehood in 1864, Nevada has seen its share of booms. In 1859, the discovery of
one of the largest silver lodes in the world at the Comstock mine caused Virginia City to appear out
of nowhere. Mining for gold, silver, copper, and other minerals and gems still goes on today. But the
boom of today is in people - construction, finance, tourism and gambling are thriving.
The gambling and resort areas attract people from all over, families are vacationing in the
outstanding resorts, and the excitement of the casinos just keeps on going.
This state was named after the mountain range in the west. From out at sea Spanish sailors gazed
upon the beautiful mountain ranges of California. They called these mountains Sierra Nevada (snowy
range). Sierra Nevada seemed an apt name for the new territory that was being carved out of Utah,
but when the deed was done in 1859, the name of this new territory had been shortened to Nevada.
People who live in Nevada or who come from Nevada are called Nevadans.
W innemucca
Hum b o ld t
Rive r
R eno
80
NEVADA
C arson C ity
15
Las Vegas
Map of Nevada – Capital, Major Cities and Rivers
STATEHOOD
An Act of Congress, signed by President James Buchanan, which became effective on March 2,
1861, created the Territory of Nevada. On October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's
admission to the Union as the 36th state.
STATE CONSTITUTION
The Nevada constitution was framed by a convention of delegates chosen by the people. The
convention met at Carson City on July 4, 1864, and adjourned on July 28 of the same year. On the 1st
Wednesday of September 1864, the constitution was approved by the vote of the people of the
Territory of Nevada, and on October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to
the Union as the 36th state.
The 1864 Nevada State Constitution is the fundamental governing document for the state of Nevada.
PREAMBLE: We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in
order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do
establish this Constitution.
STATE GOVERNMENT
As in the case of the federal government, Nevada's state government is organized into three branches
- executive, legislative, and judicial.
Executive Branch: The governor is the head of the executive branch. The other five constitutional
officers are the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state controller, and attorney
general. The people of the state elect each of these officers once every four years. They are
independent from one another and often represent different political parties.
The governor, secretary of state, and attorney general sit on the State Board of Examiners whose
duties include review of tort claims, independent contracts, leases, and requests for payments from
specified state accounts. Additionally, the constitution provides for one major elected body to direct
and manage higher education programs, faculty, facilities, and curricula in the state. This function is
assigned to the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, which currently has
thirteen members elected from around Nevada.
The primary responsibility of the executive branch is to carry out the laws, programs and services,
and policies of the state as specified in legislation enacted by the Nevada legislature and signed by
the governor. The six constitutional officers, executive agencies, the board of regents, and others in
the executive branch typically make recommendations to the legislature regarding funding
requirements as well as policy and program needs during each legislative session.
Legislative Branch: The Nevada Legislature is a bicameral body made up of two houses of equal
importance, the Assembly and the Senate. Members of the Assembly serve for two years, and
members of the Senate serve for four years. The constitution specifies that the total number of
members of the legislature may not exceed 75. Currently, there are 63 members of that body—21 in
the senate and 42 in the assembly. The members are elected from around the state in legislative
districts that are redrawn following each decennial United States Census.
One primary responsibility of the legislature is to pass laws governing the state. The legislature
introduces, debates and approves new state laws, evaluates and revises existing state laws, and
repeals laws that are unnecessary, antiquated, or no longer needed. Additionally, a major
responsibility of this branch is to receive testimony and debate and approve legislation that sets forth
the state budget, school funding, and necessary appropriations for the next biennium. A related
responsibility of the senate and assembly is to develop and revise, as needed, a fair and equitable tax
structure to support the state budget, schools, and other approved expenditures.
Judicial Branch: The Nevada Supreme Court heads the judicial branch of Nevada state government.
The Supreme Court was originally made up of three elected justices. The legislature approved an
expansion of that body to five members in the 1960s and to the current number of seven in the late
1990s. The basic responsibility of Nevada's Supreme Court is to consider cases involving the
constitutionality and legality of laws approved by the legislative branch and governor, the application
of those laws, and the interpretation of laws when required.
Nevada does not have an intermediate appellate court (court of appeals), thus the Supreme Court is
responsible for appeals from rulings of the district courts. Under the broad umbrella of the judicial
branch are the district courts of Nevada, the city (municipal) courts, and the justices of the peace.
Source: http://www.onlinenevada.org/nevada_state_government:_an_overview
TRIBAL GOVERNMENT
Tribal Government operates separately from Nevada State Government. For more information, visit:
http://www.doi.gov/governments/tribalgovernments.cfm
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
The legislative branch of the United States government makes laws for our nation and raises and
distributes money to run the United States government. The most evident part of the legislative
branch is the United States Congress. Congress is divided into two parts, called houses. The two parts
are the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress is referred to as a bicameral body because
it is made up of two houses. The Latin roots of the word bicameral, "bi" and "cameral," mean two
chambers or rooms.
Members of the Senate are called Senators and members of the House of Representatives are called
Representatives. Senators and representatives serving in these two bodies are sometimes referred to
as congressmen, or women, and sometimes as legislators because their business is to legislate or
make laws. The role of the legislative branch is defined in the United States Constitution.
Each state elects people to represent them in the United States Congress in Washington, DC. The
citizens of each state elect two senators to represent them in the Senate. They also elect
representatives to represent them in the House of Representatives. The number of representatives
each state sends to the House of Representatives is not a specific number like the Senate, but is based
on the population of the state. The people, that are elected to represent the state's citizens in the
United States Congress, are referred to as the Congressional Delegation.
There are 100 senators in the U.S. Senate. Each is elected to a term, in the Senate, of six years. There
are 435 representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. Each is elected to a term, in the
"House," of two years.
The citizens of Nevada elect two people, like every other state, to represent them in the Senate and
two people, based on Nevada’s current population in the most recent federal census, to represent
them in the House of Representatives.
STATE SEAL
Nevada gained statehood in 1864, but its seal began to take shape in
1861 when the U.S. Congress recognized the Territory of Nevada.
At that time, the Territorial Seal bore the words "Volens et Potens",
or "Willing and Able".
As Nevada prepared for statehood in 1864, its Constitutional
Convention began to formalize the features of the state's official
seal. Nevada was admitted as a state on October 31, 1864 by
proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. On February 24, 1866,
the motto "Volens et Potens" was replaced by "All for Our
Country".
The design of the seal was formalized, and Nevada's mineral resources are featured with a silver
miner and his team moving a carload of ore from a mountain in the foreground. A quartz mill stands
before another mountain. Transportation and communication are symbolized by a train steaming
across the background, with telegraph poles spanning the distance. Agriculture is represented by a
sheaf of wheat, a sickle, and a plow in the foreground. Nevada's natural beauty is symbolized by a
brilliant sun rising over snow-capped peaks. The inner circle of the seal carries the motto "All for
Our Country", and Nevada's entry into the Union as the 36th state is shown with 36 stars completing
the inner ring. The perimeter of the seal proclaims "The Great Seal of the State of Nevada".
STATE CAPITAL (Carson City)
The Nevada State Capitol is the capitol building of the
state of Nevada. It is located at 101 North Carson Street
in Carson City, the capital of Nevada.
The building was constructed in the Neoclassical
Italianate style and is listed in the National Register of
Historic Places. It is also Nevada Historical Marker
number 25.
For many years after its 1870 construction, Nevada’s
capitol building stood a lonely vigil in the center of
Carson City. Grounds for the capitol complex had been set aside by town father Abe Curry, but
Nevada started out small, and the need for big government had not developed.
More than 130 years later, the building is still used, standing as a testament to the foresight of
Nevada's founding fathers. Other grand Carson City buildings surround the capitol, marking the
incredible growth of Nevada's capital city. The capitol building, constructed of native sandstone,
holds the special designation of second oldest capitol building west of the Mississippi River.
Today the capitol complex in the heart of Carson City provides a picturesque campus setting which
includes the State Capitol, Legislative Building, Supreme Court, and State Library and Archives.
What was once a dusty, sometimes muddy pit, in the middle of a growing frontier town, is now lush
with native plant species and buildings of impressive architectural detail.
When the ambitious founders of Carson City laid out the town in 1858, they had dreams of a new
territory, and then a new state to follow. Ten acres, known as the Plaza, was set aside in the belief
that Carson City would be chosen as the capital of a new government in western Utah Territory.
The demands of the Civil War pushed the creation of the Nevada Territory in 1861 and the territorial
legislature selected the fledging community of Carson City as its capital.
In that first decade the Plaza remained empty. Statehood in 1864 saw Carson City become the state
capital of Nevada, but the constitutional convention made a provision that no state capitol would be
built until after three legislative sessions had passed.
The building was commissioned in 1869 and built the following year. Additions, including the
breezeway-connected library, and, in 1913, wings on the north and south sides, have significantly
changed the building's look.
Source: http://www.visitcarsoncity.com/attractions/capitol.php
STATE MOTTO
“All For Our Country”
STATE FLAG
Nevada became the 36th state to enter the union
in 1864, and the phrase "Battle Born" on the state
flag reflects the state's entry on the Union side
during the American Civil War.
The Nevada state flag has a cobalt blue
background; in the upper left quarter is a fivepointed silver star between two sprays of
sagebrush crossed to form a half wreath
(sagebrush is also Nevada's state flower); across
the top of the wreath is a golden scroll with the
words "Battle Born" in black letters.
The name "Nevada" is below the star and above the sprays in golden letters. The original design was
approved in 1929, and was modified in 1991.
STATE NICKNAMES
The Battle Born State
This nickname is the official state slogan of Nevada. It recalls that Nevada was admitted to the union
in 1864, during the Civil War. This slogan also appears on the Nevada State Flag.
The Silver State
Nevada is referred to as "The Silver State" because of its rich silver resources. Silver was the primary
mineral mined in Nevada when it was admitted to the union in 1864. Nevada produced about 30% of
all the silver mined in the United States in 1999. Nevada license plates began to carry the legend,
"The Silver State," in the early 1980s.
The Mining State
This is another reference to one of the most important industries in Nevada.
The Sagebrush State
Or "The Sage State," this nickname is for the wild sagebrush that is so abundant in Nevada.
Sagebrush is Nevada's official state flower and is found on the Nevada state flag.
The Sage-hen State
The sage hen is a true bird of the west. The sage hen or sage grouse, once very plentiful in Nevada,
gives us this nickname.
STATE BIRD
Nevada designated the mountain bluebird
(Sialia currucoides) as the official state bird in
1967 (also the state bird of Idaho). A member of
the thrush family, the mountain bluebird lives in
Nevada's high country and sings with a clear,
short warble.
The mountain bluebird is a small thrush found
on ranchland and other open areas of the
American West. It prefers more open habitats
than other bluebirds and can be found in colder
habitats in winter. Only the female
bluebird builds the nest. The male sometimes acts as if he is helping, but he either brings no nest
material or he drops it on the way.
Mountain bluebirds hover over the ground and fly down to catch insects, and may also fly from a
perch to catch them. Their main diet consists of insects and berries. They may forage in flocks in
winter.
The mountain bluebird is also the state bird of Idaho.
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
The following
pages contain the
Journal Pages
Print on white paper.
Nevada
Label the capital city, major cities, and major bodies of water.
When did this state become a state? _____________
Rank in statehood: ________
Capital city &
its population:
Northern border: ________________________
Southern border: ________________________
Eastern border: _________________________
Western border: ________________________
Total area:
___________
State’s total population: __________________
State’s rank in size
(area):
City with largest population: _______________
State’s rank in population: ________________
___________
Number of Counties:
________
Nevada
State Flag
Draw the state flag above.
State Flag Information:
When adopted: ___________________________
Colors: __________________________________
Specific design: ___________________________
History: __________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Nevada
State Flower
_____________________
State Flower
Draw the state flower above.
State Symbols
State Trees
_____________________
____________________
State Trees
Draw the state trees above.
Nevada
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
The following
pages contain the
Lapbook Pages
On the pages in this section, you will find:
1. Pictures of completed Lapbook Page:
This is just a SAMPLE (The one in the picture
is for Alabama, but each state will have the
same booklets).
2. Lapbook Booklet Instructions: This is
where you will find instructions for cutting out,
assembling, and completing each booklet.
3. Lapbook Booklet Templates: Each booklet
will be labeled so that you can easily find them
when reading through the Lapbook Booklet
Instructions. Print these on colored paper.
2. Lapbook Background Pages – This is
where you will glue each of your Lapbook
Booklets. We suggest printing this page on
white or another light color of cardstock.
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
Lapbook Pages
This is a SAMPLE of completed Lapbook Pages.
You may choose to arrange your booklets
differently. Be creative!
Page 1
Page 2
Nevada State History
Lapbook Journal
Lapbook Pages
Booklet #1: State History
Assembly Instructions: Cut out each page along the outer black lines. Stack
the pages so that the title is on top and the pages get longer toward the back of
the stack. Along the top of the stack, secure with staples. You may choose to
cover the stapled area with a ribbon like in the picture. Instead of staples, you
may choose to punch 2 holes and secure with metal brad fasteners or tie a
ribbon.
Completion Instructions: During your study of this state, you have learned
about many different aspects of the state’s history. Inside this booklet, tell
what you remember from your study. You may choose to also draw/glue
pictures in this booklet. Notice how each page is a little longer than the one
before. This creates “tabs” on the bottom of each page. Use this space
(bottom of each page) to write the subject of what you will tell about on each
page. For example, you may want to label one page “War” or “Constitution”
or whatever you choose.
Booklet #2: State Brochure
Assembly Instructions: Cut out each page along the outer black lines. Trifold this booklet so that the title is on the front.
Completion Instructions: There are so many wonderful places to visit and
facts to know about each state. Pretend that you are creating a travel brochure
that would be seen by people who were considering visiting this state. Inside
(and on the outside) this booklet, tell about all of the reasons that someone
should visit. You may choose to draw and/or glue pictures also.
Nevada
State
History
Booklet #1: State History – Page 1
Booklet #1: State History – Page 2
Welcome to
Nevada
Booklet #2: State History