History of Native Americans

Thanksgiving is a great time to learn more about Native American cultures and their history.  You might want to check out this short video from National Geographic Kids that will teach your child a little bit about Native American History in the United States and Canada.

Native American History video

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who dreamed of a better world. Celebrate the life and work of the civil rights leader by sharing these materials with your kiddos:

This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on January 16




Reading and Language Arts"An American Leader" (article about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., for grades K-2)

"Honoring a Man of Peace" (article about the recent opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial, for grades 3 and up)

Martin Luther King Character Map

I Have a Dream Writing Prompt

The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. – a timeline activity (PDF)

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. – a word search (PDF)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Had a Dream – students read and respond to the text of the "I Have a Dream" speech (PDF)
 
Martin Luther King Vocabulary
 
Martin Luther King Proofreading

Math

Martin Luther King Math Facts

Martin Luther King Multiplication

Martin Luther King Jr. themed word problems to solve K-3rd grade

Martin Luther King Jr. themed word problems to solve 4-8th grade

Learn About the Map of the United States

Learn more about the map of the United States using this  notebooking page 

Learn About the American Flag

• Learn about the flag of the United States

Constitution Day Lesson Plan Ideas

In honor of Constitution Day, here are a few great links to help you plan your lessons!


General Information
Ben's Guide (6-8): The Constitution
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/documents/constitution/index.html
Constitution Day Workshop
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-workshop/index.html
National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution
http://ratify.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/
The Constitution for Kids
http://www.usconstitution.net/constkidsK.html
The Constitution | The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/the-constitution
U.S. Constitution
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0101025.html

Lesson Plans
Bill of Rights Lesson Plan, US Constitution Amendments, Teaching Activity Worksheet
http://www.instructorweb.com/lesson/billofrights.asp
Constitution Lessons
http://www.ourcourts.org/for-teachers/constitution-lessons
Conversations on the Constitution
http://www.abanet.org/publiced/conversations/constitution/lessons.shtml
Free Constitution Lapbook
http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks/constitution.htm
Is It Constitutional?
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/us-constitution/lesson-plan/2480.html
Lesson Plan About the Rights Guaranteed by the US Constitution
http://712educators.about.com/cs/lessonsss/a/lessonrights.htm
Observing Constitution Day
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/game.html
Programs - Enhancements - Constitution Day Lessons
http://www.ja.org/programs/programs_supplements_constitution.shtml
Teaching the Constitution
http://www.usconstitution.net/constteach.html
The Constitution
http://myloc.gov/Education/LessonPlans/Pages/lessonplans/constitution/index.aspx
The Constitution: Teacher Guide
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/broad/teacher.html
U.S. Constitution 2 week Themtic Unit
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSLAArt2WeekUSConstitutionTreeThemedUnit4.htm
Writing a Classroom Constitution
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=499

Online Courses
A Video Survey of the U.S. Constitution
http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/SocialScience/Government/USConstitution01_VOD.asp
U.S. Constitution Course
http://constitutionday.cpms.osd.mil/course-choice.htm
Understanding the Constitution of the United States
http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/SocialScience/Government/USConstitution02.asp

Art
Draft a Family Constitution
http://www.education.com/activity/article/family-constitution/
Tips on making paper look old etc.
http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/library/tips.htm

Music
In the Constitution: Song for Teaching About the U.S.Constitution
http://www.songsforteaching.com/usahooray/intheconstitution.htm

Multimedia
Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789 - (American Memory from the Library of Congress)
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/
Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States by Howard Chandler Christy
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/christy/
SchoolhouseRock - Preamble
http://www.schoolhouserock.tv/Preamble.html
The Founding Documents Podcast by Various Authors
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Catalog/Politics/U.S.-Government/The-Founding-Documents-Podcast/19473
US Constitution - FREE Presentations in PowerPoint format
http://government.pppst.com/constitution.html

Virtual Tour
Independence Hall
http://www.ushistory.org/tour/independence-hall.htm

Online Activities
Army Study Guide Flashcards – U.S. Constitution
http://www.armystudyguide.com/flashcards/flashcards.php?cat=53
Con Con Simcon
http://www.abc.net.au/concon/games/simcon.htm
Constitution Game
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/constitution_day/
Interactive Puzzles and Quizzes for Constitution Day
http://www.theholidayzone.com/constitution/interactive.html
Principles of the U.S. Constitution Crossword
http://www.congressforkids.net/games/writingconstitution/principles_constitution.htm
Quia - Building of the Constitution
http://www.quia.com/jq/19765.html
Quia - US Constitution Mega Flash Card Review 2009
http://www.quia.com/jg/1308955.html
Quia - Vocabulary of the US Contitution
http://www.quia.com/jfc/66544.html

Printouts
Constitution Day  Coloring Sheets
http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/cc/constitution_day/con_main/constitutiondaycoloringsheet.pdf
Constitution day : Math Puzzle Builder
http://www.softschools.com/social_studies/words/worksheets/math_puzzle1556.html
Constitution Word Search Worksheet
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/soc_studies/constit/search/
Constitution Worksheet (practice test)
http://blogs.lcsd2.org/smilne/the-constitution/constitution-worksheet-practice-test/
John's Word Search Puzzles: Kids: U.S.Constitution
http://www.thepotters.com/puzzles/kids/constitution.html
Printable Resources for Constitution Day
http://www.theholidayzone.com/constitution/printable.html
U.S. Constitution Bingo Cards
http://www.bingocardcreator.com/bingo-cards/government/us-constitution
U. S. Constitution facts puzzle
http://www.mrsoshouse.com/puzpro/constitutionpuzd.html
United States Constitution Worksheets
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/soc_studies/constit/

State Lesson Plans

If your kiddos are learning about your state, here are some great resources to use:

• My State Symbols
• Organize Your Research
• Plan a Trip to a Historical Society
• Plan an Interview  
  

  Unit 1 Geography

• Geography Where You Live
• Where is My State?
• What is My State Like?
• Why Are Certain Landforms in My State?

Unit 2 Government

• Government Where You Live
• Executive Branch
• Legislative Branch
• Judicial Branch

Unit 3 Culture

• Culture Where You Live
• People and Language
• Traditions
• Food and Recreation

Unit 4 Economy

• The Economy Where You Live
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Agriculture

Unit 5 History

• History Where You Live
• The First People
• The First Settlers
• Important Events

Unit 6 Connect to the World

• Your State and the World
• Imports
• Origin of Imports
• International Business in Your State

Information on all of the US Presidents

If your child is learning about the Presidents of the United States, you will want to check out this site filled with tons of information for each of the Presidents.

They can use the information they learn to complete these Presidential reports.

Practice editing with this Presidential themed worksheet

Fun word problems with a presidential theme

Use statistics about the Presidents to practice math!

Explore Anne Frank's hiding place

Today marks the anniversary of Anne Frank’s birth. During World War II, her family hid from German occupying forces. They were eventually discovered, and Anne later died in a Jewish concentration camp.

Anne Frank left behind a diary chronicling the time of hiding. It has since become a defining story of World War II. And now you can explore it in even more depth.

This site is an amazing companion to the Diary of Anne Frank. It contains detailed biographies of the people involved. And you’ll see a timeline of the diary's events.

But most impressively, it accurately recreates Anne Frank's hiding place. You can interactively move through the rooms. You’ll see them as they were at the time.

Portions of the diary are narrated for each room. The portions are linked to the rooms where they were likely written. It brings the events to life in dramatic way.

Anne Frank's Hiding Place

AMERICA The Story of US

The History Channel has a brand new series called AMERICA The Story of US. They are offering this entire DVD set to every school in the United States for FREE. This does include homeschools. DVD requests must be made prior to July 1, 2010. DVDs will be mailed around August 2010, and free shipping is included in this offer.

Click here to receive your copy.

Inauguration Newspaper Report

Your child can help write history! Use this worksheet, set up like a real newspaper, to write about what they've seen as they watch the inaugeration.

EyeWitness to History

This is a great site for your older kids (or mom's who want to brush up on their history knowledge). Your ringside seat to history - from the Ancient World to the present. History through the eyes of those who lived it, featuring events from the Ancient World to today.

Learning About The Constitution

Read about the Constitution:

K-3

4-7

8-12

Make a Lapbook:

What is the Constitution Activity Sheet - Write about the purpose of the constitution and when it was written.

Amendments - Answer some questions about amendments.

Bill of Rights - Write each one of the first ten amendments.

Preamble - Copy work - Copy the Preamble to the Constitution.

Framers - Answer some questions about the Framers of the Constitution.

Delegates - Write the names of some of the delegates.

The Virginia Plan - Answer some questions about the Virginia Plan.

Separation of Powers - Define separation of powers.

Checks and Balances - List checks for each branch of government.

Executive Branch - Answer questions about the President and Vice-President.

Legislative Branch - Answer questions about Senators and Representatives.

Judicial Branch - Answer questions about the judicial branch of government.

Impeachment - Define impeachment.

Path of a Bill - Draw a flow chart showing how a bill becomes a law.