Ideas, Books, and Activities for American History for Elementary

I’ve long thought there has been a major lack of simple American History overviews for the elementary homeschool crowd. Kids need hands-on activities to engage them, and they need a program based in engaging texts or living stories to keep them interested in the subject. In my series, 10 Days of Early American History for Elementary Kids, I’ll share some learning and activity ideas for teaching about American History from the Native Americans until James Madison.

I’ve been working so hard on getting together an amazing American History curriculum for my co-op class this year. This week, I’ll begin sharing some of these book lists and lesson plans about American History!

The following is the beginning for a tentative schedule for a basic American history year using mostly living history books and some interactive projects and ideas that I’ve found. I hope to finish up and send you the first nine lessons in the next two weeks. Then, I’ll be back with more in a month or so!

Introduction: U.S. Geography (July 10)
Lesson 1: Introducing Native Americans Cultures (July 11)
Lesson 2: Exploring the Explorers (July 12)
Lesson 3: Investigating Early American Settlements (July 13)
Lesson 4: Life in the Colonial Era and Pretending to be a Colonial Kid (July 14)
Lesson 5: Following the Road to Revolution (July 17)
Lesson 6: Highlights of The Revolutionary War (July 18)
Lesson 7: George Washington and A New Nation (July 19)
Lesson 8: Early Presidents and Their Legacy (July 20)
Lesson 9: James Madison and the War of 1812 (July 21)

How does this sound to you for a start to learning about American History? Are you as excited as I am to get started?

But my homeschooling ideas are not all! This July, I’ll be joining other bloggers in the Homeschool Blogging Network in a 10 Days of Tips for Homeschool Moms. The Homeschool Bloggers Network has come together to share 10 Days of Tips for Homeschool Moms.