Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is one of the original thirteen founding states in America. Its name means, “Penn’s woods,” because it was named by William Penn. Pennsylvania officially became a state on December 12, 1787. Pennsylvania experiences all seasons-winter, spring, summer, and fall. Its state bird is the Ruffed Grouse and its motto is “Virtue, liberty, and independence.” Its state capital is Harrisburg and its largest city is Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is in the northeast United States. It borders New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. The Appalachian mountains run right through the center of the state! It is the thirty-third largest state in America. Some famous Americans that were born in Pennsylvania are Louisa May Alcott, Reggie Jackson, and Daniel Boone.

Show What You Know
1. Where is Pennsylvania located? Which paragraph helps you determine its location?

2. What can you infer about Pennsylvania’s weather?

3. What can you infer about Pennsylvania's size?

4. Explain how this paragraph may be different if written from the point of view of a student living in Pennsylvania.