L-SNV
Nevada
State History
Lapbook
Designed for K-8th
grades, but could
be adjusted for
older grade
levels, if needed
Written & designed by
Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout
of Knowledge Box Central
Nevada State History Lapbook
Copyright © 2012 Knowledge Box Central
www.KnowledgeBoxCentral.com
ISBN #
Ebook: 978-1-61625-692-0
CD: 978-1-61625-690-6
Printed: 978-1-61625-691-3
Assembled: 978-1-61625-693-7
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 the
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
Thanks for purchasing this product. Please check out our Lapbooks
for other states as well. The Lapbooks are designed for K-8th grades
but could be adjusted for use with older students.
Please also check out our Lapbook Journals for each state. The
Lapbook Journals are designed for
6th-12th grades, but again could be adjusted for other age groups..
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.
It would be helpful to have pamphlets and brochures
from the state that you are studying. You may get these
at no charge from your Chamber of Commerce, travel
agencies, and several other places. Your student may
read the information, use some of the picture for cutting
and pasting, or even use some of them to decorate the
front of the lapbook.
How do I get started?
First, you will want to gather your supplies. Depending on which format you purchased
from us, you will need different supplies. So, take what applies, and skip over the rest.
*** Printing:
*Print instructions and study guide on white copy paper.
*Print the booklet templates on 24# colored paper or 110# cardstock.
For some booklets, we have suggested specific colors or cardstock.
You may choose to use those suggested colors, or you may choose
to print on any color that you like.
*** Assembly:
*Folders: We use colored file folders, which can be
found at Walmart, Sam’s, Office Depot, Costco, etc. You will need between
2 and 4 file folders, depending on which product you have purchased.
You may use manilla folders if you prefer, but we have found that
children respond better with the brightly colored folders. Don’t worry
about the tabs….they aren’t important. If you prefer, you can purchase
the assembled lapbook bases from our website.
*Glue: For the folder assembly, we use hot glue. For booklet
assembly, we use glue sticks and sometimes hot glue, depending on
the specific booklet. We have found that bottle glue stays wet for too
long, so it’s not a great choice for lapbooking.
*Other Supplies: Of course, you will need scissors. Many
booklets require additional supplies. Some of these include metal
brad fasteners, paper clips, ribbon, yarn, staples, hole puncher, etc.
You may want to add decorations of your own, including stickers, buttons,
coloring pages, cut-out clipart, etc. The most important thing
is to use your imagination! Make it your own!!
Ok. I’ve gathered the supplies. Now how do I use this
product?
Inside, you will find several sections. They are as follows:
1. Lapbook Base Assembly & Layout Guide: This section gives
instructions and diagrams and will tell the student exactly how to assemble the
lapbook base and where to glue each booklet into the base. Depending on the
student’s age, he or she may need assistance with this process, especially if you
choose to allow the student to use hot glue.
2. Student Instruction Guide: This section is written directly to the student,
in language that he or she can understand. However, depending on the age of
the child, there may be some parent/teacher assistance needed. This section
will also tell the student exactly what should be written inside each booklet as
he or she comes to it during the study, as well as telling the student which
folder each booklet will be glued into.
4. Booklet Templates: This section includes ALL of the templates for the
booklets.
5. Study Guide: This section is a great resource for the parent/teacher. It
includes an overview of this state’s history. At the end of the Study Guide,
there are several links that you may use for additional study.
Nevada State History Lapbook
Base Assembly & Layout Guide
You will need 3 folders of any color. Take each one and fold both sides toward the
original middle fold and make firm creases on these folds (Figure 1). Then glue
(and staple if needed) the backs of the small flaps together (Figure 2).
Figure 1
Figure 2
This is the “Layout” for your lapbook. The shapes are not exact on the layout, but you will get
the idea of where each booklet should go inside your lapbook.
Inside of 1st Folder:
Population
Borders
State Map
State
Brochure
State
Nickname
Statehood
Land Area
State Motto
State Flag
Bodies of
Water
Inside of 2nd Folder:
State Song
More State
Symbols
State Insect
State Quarter
Fact
Fact
Fact
State Flower
State Tree
State Bird
Highest
& Lowest Points
Inside of 3rd Folder:
Government
Economy
State History
State Report
Fact
Fact
Famous
People
Recipes
Weather & Climate
Back of 3rd Folder:
State License Plate
Below you will find pictures of a completed lapbook. This should help
in figuring out how to assemble the booklets and then how to put it all
together!
Also, there is a page of close-up pictures of some of the booklets that
may be a little more confusing to assemble. These pictures should
help.
Folder #1
Example is
Alabama, but
YOUR state will be
laid out in the
SAME way.
Folder #2
Example is
Alabama, but
YOUR state will be
laid out in the
SAME way.
Folder #3
Back of Folder #3
Nevada State History Lapbook
Student Instruction Guide
These booklets may be taught/completed in any order.
We are presenting them here in the general order in
which they appear in the Lapbook.
Booklet #1
*Booklet Title: State Map
*Student Instructions: On the state map provided, mark and label the capital, other cities,
lakes, rivers, and any landmarks that you feel are important.
*Completed booklet will be glued into Folder #1 (See Layout)
**Assembly Instructions: Cut out along the outer black line edges of this one-page book.
Glue to another piece of paper of a different color, Cut around the edges again, creating a
small border.
Booklet #2
*Booklet Title: Borders
*Student Instructions: In this booklet, you will write down what is found on the borders
of the state that you are studying. It may be another state, several states, or it may be a
body of water. Write the names on the inside of each direction’s “flap.”
*Completed booklet will be glued into Folder #1 (See Layout)
**Assembly Instructions: Cut out the booklet along the outer black line edges of the
booklet and the title label. Fold each side in along the lines so that the words are on the
outside. Glue the label that says “Borders” inside, in the center.
Nevada Map
Booklet # 1
Printing Suggestion: Print on white paper.
Nevada
State
Motto
Booklet # 6
Nevada
State
Nickname
Booklet # 7
Nevada
State Flag
Booklet # 8
Printing Suggestion: Print on white paper.
Nevada
State
Song
Booklet # 11
Nevada
State Bird
Booklet # 12
Printing Suggestion: Print on white paper.
Nevada
State Flower
Booklet # 13
Printing Suggestion: 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.