Every summer around Independence Day, I like to make sure that the children are learning about the time of the American Revolution (and the time from about the French and Indian War until about the time of the War of 1812, just to provide some context), even if we’re also doing something else in summer school. We’ve found quite a few books that we all enjoy that focus on that period of time, as well as American symbolism and history in general:
- Children’s Encyclopedia of American History
- Struggle for a Continent (This is the third in a series of books.. the first two, Exploration and Conquest and The New Americans, are also excellent!)
- Liberty or Death
- A New Nation
- A More Perfect Union
- Paul Revere’s Ride
- Revolutionary War on a Wednesday
- American Girl Felicity Series
- American Girl Caroline Series
- You Wouldn’t Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party
- If You Were There in Colonial Times
- If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution
- If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution
- Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia
- Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents
- Ben and Me
- Mr. Revere and I
- Who Was George Washington?
- George Washington’s World
- George vs. George
- George Washington and the General’s Dog
- George Washington’s Socks
- Who Was Thomas Jefferson?
- Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution
- Molly Pitcher: Young Patriot
- Toliver’s Secret
- The Secret Solider
- The Fourth of July Story
- Johnny Tremain
- Letters for Freedom–The American Revolution
- The American Revolution for Kids
- Great Colonial American Projects
- Red, White, and Blue–The Story of the American Flag
- O, Say Can You See?
- Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution
- How the U.S. Government Works
- N is for Our Nation’s Capital
Of course, we have to add a few DVDs to our studies:
And a few CDs, as well:
While we don’t have lots of special activities and crafts in school for this holiday like we do for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it is one of my five favorite holidays of the year, so I like to make sure we’re at least doing a little something special! Stay tuned for details on our Fourth of July tea party!