History Lesson Resources
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Teacher Materials & Resources
History is such an important subject ~ what we can learn about the past will help us no doubt in the future. To be honest, I never liked studying history or social studies. It seemed way too boring to learn about old dead people ~ who they were, where they went, what they did, when they did it, why they did things, and how they did it! "Who cares?" I thought. Then I matured a wee bit and discovered not only how beneficial it is to know about the past, but that it could also be quite interesting and fun!
The famous words from Miss Frizzle of the Magic School Bus encourage me ~ "Take chances, class. Get messy! There's only one way to find out!" ~ Doing hand-ons activities, learning by doing, visiting historic places, and making interactive projects and lapbooks are the ways I find the most fun, but I'm constantly looking for fresh, thorough, interesting resources for teaching history. Here are some places and things we enjoy in our studies!
Contents at a Glance
General History Resources
- History & Science
- Kidipede has many history and science pages for middle school aged kids.
- American History
- US History from Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium at USHistory.org
- United States History Topics
- Lessons, activities, power points, games, kids and teachers sections, and links to materials from Mr Donn ~ Sections on Creating a Nation, Western Expansion, The Nation Grows, and Other Topics
- EyeWitness to History
- 19th Century, Civil War, Old West, Photos, Listening Excerpts, Films
- History's Happenings!
- Kid Safe Web Sites
- HyperHistory Online
- Lots of information and resources.
- American History Curriculum
- Guest Hollow Website used to be known as "Our Los Banos". Great stuff!
- History Central
- Many history topics!
- The History Channel
- Movies, lessons, and resources to use.
- History Section of National Geographic
- Educational Videos and Articles, Historical Photos, World History News, Atlases, and Games.
- Turn Back the Clock through the History of America
- A nice webquest about Native Americans, Pilgrims, Pioneers, Explorers, States, Wars of the Country, Great Depression, Women's Right to Vote, Treaties and Agreements, America Today, Quiz
- American Cultural History: 19th Century America
- History in decade increments on: Art & Architecture, Business & Economy, Books & Literature, Migration & Immigration, Education, News & Events, Music & Theatre, Pasttimes, Science & Technology, Social Movements, Virtual Tour
- American Cultural History: 20th Century
- Same as above but in the next century.
- Class Brain
- All sorts of interesting articles, games, materials, and interactive resources. ~ I especially like their state report section!
History Unit Studies and Materials
Other history pages I have written - please take a look! =D
All of the following are history unit studies that I have researched and created for my own children over the past few years. New materials and links are always being added as I find them. Most of them contain links to my favorite educational sites, webquests, educational games, worksheets, lapbooks, lesson plans, videos, projects, and many other things that I have found interesting in my online travels. Since my budget is limited, most of the things listed are free or low cost with the exceptions of book lists and materials that we have found to be helpful - many of which may be found at your local libraries. Some, like the Constitution unit, is complete in itself while others are simply a listing of the best sites that I could locate. No, I have not used every single resource on the pages, but have used many in the past and hope to use others in the future.
Some of the lapbook pieces, notebook pages, games, and worksheets that I have created may be found on my page at Homeschool Launch - others are stored at my homeschool blog, J.O.Y. Christian School. They are all free for anyone to use, all I ask is for you to leave me a comment if you decide to use any of them. (My stats from multiple pages tell me that tens of thousands of people have visited them, but only a few comments. It just would be nice to meet you. =D It inspires me to take the time to download others that we have created and used if I know they are helpful!)
*I am currently working on creating a unit page about ancient civilizations - hopefully it will be done by August 2011!
Interactive History Games
Great History Sites!
Please share your favorites for teaching history.
Free Educational Clip Art!
Fantastic clip art from Mr. Phillip Martin in many more...1 point
MrDonn.org - Main Index - Lesson Plans, Kids Sections, Interactives
Mr Donn's site is one of my favorites to start sea more...1 point
Mrs. Ruland's Social Studies Page
"Everything You Wanted to Know About Social S more...0 points
Learn by Playing!
Hand-ons playing and pretending!
Wonderful Geography Ideas!
Check out these fun geography pages!
"God's Wonderful World of Geography" is my mega geography collection of lesson suggestions, hands-on projects, printable and online maps, geography games, links, and more!!
Geography & Maps
- United States Outline Maps
- These are very clear, uncluttered, printable states maps that may be used for a variety of purposes.
- Outline Maps of the World
- · USA Maps Overview, States & Capitals, States & Major Cities, Landforms, Political / Physical, Regions, Colonial America 1776, 1790, 1820, 1860
· Western Hemisphere, World Continents, Countries, and Landforms
· North American Countries, South American Countries
· Africa, Europe, Asia & South Pacific Countires - Mapping Tool
- Teaching Latitude & Longitude ~ place a city, state, or zip code in the search box to find the exact latitude and longitude of a location.
- GeoNet Game
- Click on "Play GeoNet", then click on the map of the United States and choose the region of the country you want to review.
- *Growth of a Nation (1790 - 2000)
- Cool! ~ It's a history movie, interactive map, and timeline. Listen to it as a full movie, as sections, or stop to explore the year, place, or event you want. A larger version is for sale, but this one may be used for free!
- Geography & Maps
- Worksheets, books, games, flashcards, and dictionary of geographical terms from Enchanted Learning
Study Atlases
A Trip Around the World
World Geography & Cultures
Social Studies Games
Playing games to learn and reinforce are fantastic!
- Constitution Games at JOY Christian School
- ~ "Walk Through the Constitution" Board Game - Board, Game Cards, Player Pieces, Die, Directions, Card Holding Pocket ~ Constitution Vocabulary Matching Game - match words to definitions ~ Preamble Order Puzzles - cut up the Preamble and put in order on the puzzle board ~ Constitution Timeline - cut apart board pieces and try to put back in correct order.
- Canadian History
- Online Games
- The Star Spangled Banner
- Puzzle Strips & Pocket
- Star Spangled Banner Game
- Answer questions about the poem Jeopardy style!
- Election Bingo
- Review vocabulary words about elections.
- Presidential Pathways
- 66 page teacher guide about presidents - include a fun game called "Presidential Pathways" that the children enjoyed!
- Games on History
- Game resources from the History Channel - you may want to preview them ahead of time for your students.
- Interactive History Games
- Many Ancient History Games at School History
- Social Studies Games
- Online games from Gamequarium ~ Game Categories ~ Olympics, Economics, Canada, US Geography, Black History, Australia, World Geography, Africa, Egypt, American History, Presidents, Women's History
- Games & Activities
- from Colonial Williamsburg Kid's Zone
- History Games & Animations
- "Best of History Websites" by EdTech Teacher
- History Mystery
- Games in several categories from Scholastic
- Quia Web
- Make your own personal games or quizzes in the teacher section, or, play a game from the student section.
- Digital History
- American History game listings from several sites.
More Educational Games!
Games Make It More Fun!
History Reference Materials
- World Factbook & Reference
- from Yahoo Kids!
- Dictionary, Thesaurus, & Encyclopedia
- Great source to look up vocabulary, check spelling, enhance writing, and research numerous topics.
- Bible Gateway
- Search for a passage, verse, or word with several versions to choose from.
- Historical Dictionary
- Look up history terms here.
- History Reference Sources
- A Student's Online Guide
- Kids Online Resources
- Kindergarden to College
- Atlas, Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Thesaurus, Timelines, Countries ...
- from Info Please
- Facts Encyclopedia - Kid's Stuff
- Alphabetical list of research areas
- Fact Monster
- Online Almanac from Information Please
Puzzle Maps
![This is not mine! Schoolhouse Rock owns this song! Instead of playing just once [like my other vid],](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LJVkUyLqbY4/default.jpg "The Preamble ONLY!!! - Schoolhouse Rock")
American History Pockets Are So Cool!
Another way of hands-on learning!
Each pocket book gives basic information on the topic and about 10 or so 'pocket" units. Pockets may contain maps, timelines, mini books, art projects, "Fast Facts", backround of the subject or time period, and just plain fun ways to help learn and remember topics!
Historical Movies & Videos Online
- History Channel
- The home page of the History Channel on YouTube.
- American Experience
- PBS Series on American History
- History Detectives
- Another fascinating PBS Series
- History in the Movies
- Find Ancient, Medieval, & Modern Movies ~ Names of videos related to historic events - links to purchase. (I use this resource to give me suggestions what to rent at the library.)
Liberty's Kids Videos
United States Colonial and Revolutionary Time Period Cartoons for Kids
Take a Virtual Field Trip!
Did you say, "Field Trips"? Whaaa hooo! (Remember, think 'Miss Frizzle'!)
Living History Exhibits, Hands-Ons Workshops, and Reinactments make textbook information jump out of the page! Check out your local historic places and events. Or, if you cannot physically go where you would like to, take a virtual tour. Many places have online tours, activities to do at home, and curriculum guides.
- Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center
- Relive history, learn hands-on about corn grinding, soldiers outfits, canons, and more!
- Plimouth Plantation
- 1627 English Village ~ It is wonderful here! Walk among the villagers as they demonstrate what daily life was like in the 1600's colony.
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Feel like you are in the 1700's! See the sights, buildings, and people ~ taste the food ~ wear the clothing ~ hear the music ~ make it come alive!
- Philadelphia
- Visit Philadelphia's Historic District - Independence National Park, The Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin's Home, and many more historic places!
- Boston, Massachusetts
- National Historic Park
- Valley Forge
- National Historical Park - museum center, movies, tours, activites, costumed actors, online study materials and teacher resources.
- National Constitution Center
- Learn about the history and meaning of the United States Constitution.
Ancient History Pockets
Virtual Fieldtrips
- Philadelphia
- Take a virtual 3-D tour of old historic Philadelphia and the surrounding area! This was fantastic while studying the Colonies, the American Revolution, and Early America!
- Philadelphia 360
- Explore Independence Mall with a 360 degree view!
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Civil War Page for Kids
- Midnight Rider Virtual Museum
- We really enjoyed this one! Read the famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, check out vocabulary, compare the real ride of Mr. Revere with the poetic version, and more. There are 5 "Halls" to explore, each with information to research and document. Some worksheets are included. Have fun!
- Rome, Italy
- Take a virtual trip through the city!
Worldwide Fieldtrips!
Where have you traveled virtually?
British Museum - Welcome to the British Museum
Welcome to the British Museum website. The Museum more...0 points
Garner Rix and the Royalton Raid - 1780
Garner Rix was just 12 when he moved with his fath more...0 points
Louvre Museum Official Website
The official site of the Louvre Museum (Paris, Fra more...0 points
The Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
0 points
- Biographies of Classical Composers
- Short simple biographies
Historical Webquests
These are always exciting to do! There are all kinds of formats for these quests, but most of them give tasks for the students to research. The information will either be listed on that site, related links, or book resources. Some include worksheets, graphs, projects, quizzes, and rubrics.
The coolest ones are where you can travel to a certain time or place, or be a detective searching for clues to a mystery!
- Recommended Webquests & Thinkquests for History
- From the Center for Teaching History with Technology
- US History Webquests
- From London Towne School, Fairfax Country, VA
- Social Studies Webquests
- 3 Categories ~ High School, Middle School, and Elementary Listings
- List of Webquests
- Several in history and science ~ Also contain information about how to create your own webquest.
- World History Webquests & Internet Projects
- Created for AP World History classes by Mrs.Ruland
- United States History Webquests & Internet Projects
- Several wonderful projects also collected by Mrs. Ruland
- Canadian History Webquests
- Elementary & Secondary Levels
God's History ~ His Story ~The Bible
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" Genesis 1:1
The primary incredible source of world history is the Bible. It is the most reliable, the oldest, and contains amazing stories of life, death, people, countries, kings, relationships, wars, romance, poetry, and of God's sacrifice of his Son to show us His love for you and I! If you are not familiar with the Bible, please consider reading some of it, or finding a friend to talk about it with. :) I will be praying that all who visit here will learn of God's history and His future for believers! :D
History in the Arts
Art, Architecture, Music, Literature, and Dance are important influences and reflections of culture. A great way to understand a culture, country, or time period is to study the art forms that surround it. They will tell you much about the people and their thinking.
Music History
My true love in teaching is music! Since my college degree is in music education, I have taught private lessons, classes, and groups all sorts of music - including music history, of course. The following are some of the free lesson plans and materials that I have shared online. My main music education page is located at Joyful Songs, but you will find links to all my various music blogs from there.
I'd love to hear from you! :D
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lasertek
May 18, 2011 @ 10:00 am | delete
- Very informative and great looking lens. I love the virtual field trips.
Awesome job!
Take a peek at my lens, Homeschooling 101: Guide to Free Curriculum and Other Resources.
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flyingace
Mar 7, 2011 @ 9:25 pm | delete
- What an extensive resource you've developed. So much fun to see the Rock video. I want to come back and find things to share with my grandson. Even better, I'd like to lensroll so I can have it close to me, always. My lens is about what led the colonists to declaring independence. Thank you.
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JoyfulPamela
Mar 8, 2011 @ 9:02 am | delete
- I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for visiting! =D
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Michey
Dec 13, 2010 @ 4:22 pm | delete
- Really great History resources, I am an advocate of learning history, and doing it from early ages.
Angel dust was sprinkled Blessing this lens.
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JoyfulPamela
Dec 16, 2010 @ 6:30 am | delete
- Cool! Thanks, Michey!
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Hi! I'm JoyfulPamela!
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Special thanks for the "Squid Angel Blessing" on this page from Michey! You may read this angel's wonderful pages by clicking the avatar below or visiting my Gratitude for Blessings page.
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Hi! My name is Pamela and I am a Christian homeschool mom to three awesome children and wife to a darling man for 20 years. I love teaching and working... more »
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