History:

Did you know …Vermont was admitted to the Union on Friday, March 4, 1791. For thousands of years it was inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Algonquian-speaking Abenaki and Mohawk. Much of the territory that is now Vermont was claimed by France's colony of New France. Vermont was one of the first states to outlaw slavery. It is the second smallest state by population (after Wyoming). Ben and Jerry's ice cream began at a gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Vermont is the home of maple syrup. Got any pancakes?! The land was called New Connecticut prior to joining the Union. It was the first state to join the Union after the original 13 colonies. LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Agriculture and Industry:

Did you know …About 78 percent of Vermont’s land is forest, which provides about 1.5 billion dollars’ worth of revenue for the state each year. Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, turning out almost two million gallons a year—that’s enough to fill about 40,000 bathtubs! Vermont is also known for mining granite, marble, and slate—the official state rocks.  LEARN MORE.

State Bird and State Flower

Did you know …  The official State Bird of Vermont is the Hermit Thrush. The hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) was designated the official state bird of Vermont in 1941. The hermit thrush has a lovely, melancholy song. LEARN MORE: HERE & HERE.

The official State Flower of Vermont is the Red Rover. The red clover (Trifolium pretense) was designated as the official Vermont state flower on February 1, 1895. The Red Clover is symbolic of Vermont’s scenic countryside. Oddly enough, however, it is not a native of Vermont but was “naturalized” from Europe. LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Burlington, VT

Did you know … Although Montpelier is the Capital City of Vermont, Burlington is its largest city. Burlington is located 45 miles (72 km) south of the Canada–United States border and 94 miles (151 km) south of Montreal. During the War of 1812, Burlington served as a base for nearly 4000 U.S. troops. One of the first naval battles of the Revolutionary War took place nearby on Lake Champlain. The Battle of Valcour Island pitted a colonial force of 15 ships, led by none other than Benedict Arnold, against 25 British ships. LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Fun Facts

Did you know … Vermont’s name comes from two French words: vert, which means “green,” and mont, which means “mountain.” Vermont is also known as the Green Mountain State.  The nickname honors the Green Mountain Boys, an army first created to protect Vermont’s land from New York, and which was later reconstituted to serve in the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Spanish American War. The state motto is “Freedom and Unity”. Some Famous Vermonters included: Chester A. Arthur, 21st President, Calvin Coolidge, 30th President, Ethan Allen, early American revolutionary, Henry M. Leland, founder of Cadillac and Lincoln, John Deere, inventor and manufacturer. LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Check out this YouTube video on Vermont !

Did you know that Vermont’s forests cover 4,591,281 acres of land? That is equal to 78% of the state!

Here are some nature jokes to make you giggle:

Q: Did you hear the one about the little mountain?

A: It's HILL-arious!

Q: What did the tree wear to the pool party?

A: Swimming trunks!

Q: Why did the leaf go to the doctor?

A: It was feeling GREEN!

Q: What is a tree's least favorite month?

A: Sep-TIMBER!

Q: What did the little tree say to the big tree?

A: LEAF me alone!

Q: Did you hear the one about the oak tree?

A: It's a CORN-y one!

Q: What did the tree do when the bank closed?

A: It started a new BRANCH

Q: What do loggers eat in the forest?

A: Mac and TREES

Here are some Vermont themed YouTube read aloud videos …

"Good Night Vermont"

by Michael Tougias and Cooper Kelly

"Who's in the Forest?" 

by Phyllis Gershator

Watch this animated histoircal fiction by Liberty Kids...

"Green Mountain Boys"

Written by Jay Abramowitz

A leader in the farm-to-table movement, Vermont treasures its agricultural heritage and working landscape. From maple sugarhouses to hillsides dotted with black-and-white cows, the state is full of foods that are raised, crafted, caught and foraged locally. Vermont’s famous maple syrup is made from sap from the sugar maple, the state tree. And what goes best with maple syrup but PANCAKES!!

Here’s is a simple recipe for delicious pancakes...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cup flour

• 3 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

• 2 teaspoons butter (melted)

• 1 1/4 cup milk

• 1 egg

DIRECTIONS:

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt). Hollow out a place in the center of the dry ingredients.
3. Melt butter in a microwave-safe container (Set at low power for 20 seconds. It's OK if it is not completely melted.)
4. Pour the butter, milk, egg, and vanilla in center of dry ingredients.
5. Using an electric mixer, with adult supervision, mix on low until all ingredients are well mixed. Use a spoon to scrape the remaining flour from the side of the bowl.
6. Spray the griddle with cooking spray. Preheat an electric griddle to 300 F. For a stovetop griddle use medium-high heat.
7. Fill a ladle half full with batter and slowly pour it on griddle. Repeat, leaving plenty of space between pancakes for easy flipping. When pancakes are filled with small bubbles, gently slide a spatula under the pancake and flip.
8. Cook for another 30 to 45 seconds and use spatula to lift off the griddle.
9. Enjoy!