![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB96UTn3bTsW9I9pizNd-YMCRzC0xFtU-Ic7OhOpgicgMlW4chFC6dHZ5-Nit05CzmhyphbHsnFS5B6xReB1VfVjgdyrxmm1NDhULj1cAU3yAhpAiD0t8dW7Ne4cVS8HyA1BL6hQXc-rI/s400/map.png)
I listened to some of
How the States Got Their Shapes on the drive today. I was fascinated by the history of West Virginia -- a state that exists because of Civil War opportunism. How physical borders are negotiated is a great segue into how other kinds of borders are negotiated in families, sects, corporations, etc. Great source of projects for a high school, eg "Why is South Kingstown the shape it is?" or "Why does the Chariho school district exist?".