Second-graders at Kingsbury Elementary School are learning about Ohio and tying it in with the state's bicentennial celebration.

Kingsbury second-grade teacher Christi Anderson said the students study a unit on Ohio each year, but this year they were given the "Along the Ohio Trail" informational booklet from the state auditor's office to help them learn more about Ohio's history, its flag, the state bird, the state seal and more.

"It is very important for any child to learn the history of our state and of the country," Principal Shelly McGraw said. "It is especially important this year because it is the bicentennial and we are celebrating the 200th birthday of the state."

During the lesson plan, students are learning about the importance of the Ohio River, the state capital and Ohio's Native American heritage, Anderson said.

"The students like this subject really well," she said. "It is something that applies to them so, they are more interested than maybe in some other things."

Student Cameron Rowe said he learned that the Ohio River is used by all types of boats to transport goods through the state, but is actually owned by Kentucky. He also said he liked learning about the Native Americans who built burial mounds like the Serpent Mound in Peebles.

"I like learning about this because it is more interesting to learn about than some other stuff because we live here," he said.

Allison Hixon summed it up quickly by saying, "It is our state," as she shrugged her shoulders.

Students will continue projects such as making booklets and coloring pictures of the state seal to help keep them interest, Anderson said.

It is important to start early to make sure the students have an understanding and appreciation of the state's history by the time they make it to the higher grade levels, she said.