Liberty's
Kids - PBS
The primary goal of the Liberty's Kids TV series
is to provide 7-12 year olds with a fresh and exciting experience of the extraordinary
period of 1773 to 1789 in American history. This is the teacher link with suggested
activities and plays.
http://pbskids.org/libertyskids/parentsteachers.html
13
Originals - Founding the American Colonies
"The history of the original 13 colonies is a tangled tale indeed. There
are many ways to view the events and, in hindsight, it is easy to think you
understand. But no one knew where they were headed at the time and it could
have ended up very different."
http://www.timepage.org/spl/13colony.html
Ben's
Guide to US Government for Kids
Leveled sections (K-2), (3-5), (6-8), (9-12)
with a myriad of topics to learn about our government. In the spirit of rededicating
ourselves to our country, this is a treasure trove of information. Parent and
Teacher section provides lesson guides.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
America's
Story from America's Library
A wonderful website from the Library of Congress using primary source documents
and geared to all ages. "America's Story from America's Library wants you to
have fun with history while learning at the same time. We want to put the story
back in history and show you some things that you've never heard or seen before.
The stuff you see comes from the Library of Congress in Washington, DC The Library
is the largest in the world and has millions of amazing things that will surprise
you . . .." Well worth a visit!
This is part of The Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress.
There's a lot to navigate here but it's worth it. The teacher will need to be
familiar with the site before sending in kids. We suggest you start at the Learning
Page link on the bottom of the home page. From there go to "Lessons Ideas" then
go to "Sample Lessons" and try the "Port of Entry: Immigration" activity to
get a feel as to how this site may be used.
Well done and suitable for grades
2 to 5. Interactive tour features a linear trip of "points" that each
new immigrant needed to pass before being allowed to come to America. Some very
good multimedia material here!
http://teacher.scholastic.com/immigrat/ellis/index.htm
HistoryCentral.com
- History's Home on the Internet
Although this is a commercial site (they tend to tout their CD
series), it does have rich online content - World Timelines,
America's Wars, Statistical information and maps on world nations,
over 400 primary US History documents, and biographies of the 500
most important people of the 20th century. Very worthwhile.
This is a huge database of hyperlinks covering all aspects of
colonial life
This Thinkquest site was created by students in Southeastern
Pennsylvania and is extremely well done. Interesting activities and
links suitable for elementary grades.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/introduction.htm
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG - The premier site on daily life in Colonial
America - the only way to see more is to visit there in person;
virtual tours, awesome images, scholarly documents, and teacher
resources.
http://www.history.org/
Archiving Early America - Historic early American documents, trivia,
life in Colonial times, Colonial crossword puzzle; "a unique array of
original newspapers, maps and writings come to life on your screen
just as they appeared to our forebears more than 200 years ago"
This is a thematic mini-unit with five days of activities
integrating Social Studies, Math and Language Arts. It can be use
individually or as a unit. Some of the links have a higher reading
level content but the worksheets can be adapted for grades 3 to 6.
Worthy of a look. There are other interesting web adventures within
this site from Learning Network.
Part of the Noah Webster Historical Home web site, this page has
descriptions of popular games and toys, many of which are still
played by children today. Historically accurate and interesting
information. Includes directions to make an authentic Colonial board
game!
"The Virtual Jamestown Archive is a digital research, teaching
and learning project that explores the legacies of the Jamestown
settlement and the Virginia experiment." It contains teaching
activities and many primary documents. It looks to be a valuable
research site for middle/high school students.
"You are the Captain of the Jamestown Colony:
Can you do any better than the real colonists? You will have a copy of the London
Company's Instructions to help guide you. Also, you can ask your fellow colonists
and the Native Americans for advice. Be careful, though, because some advice
is better than others!" This is a great online activity.
http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/
Freedom Trail Sites:
The
Freedom Trail Foundation - Official Site of the Boston Freedom Trail
Virtual Tours, Kids and Educators Links
Boston NHP - The Freedom Trail (from National Historical Park Service)
City of Boston - The Freedom Trail
NOBLE Web - Patriot's Day Links
This is a Webquest that we have created. It is in the process of being refined.
There are many excellent links and extension activities that can be used when
teaching this era of American History. It is our intention that by using our
webquest, students will have a better understanding of the events leading up
to the Revolutionary War and the effect that strong opinions had on colonial
society.
Pioneer Life Web Center
http://www.over-land.com/
YOU BE THE HISTORIAN - Simulation whereby the participants must
practice historiography to explain events in the life of the Springer
family in the late 1700's in Delaware - top notch processes
here!
Presidents of the United States - Two great sites - databases of information
on every American president presented in an easy to read and navigate format.
Good bio starters.
NACC contains more than 80 historic structures and over 150 major
named historic parks, squares, circles and triangles in Washington DC
Located in the core of the nation's capital, NACC administers,
interprets, maintains and preserves Ford's Theatre, The National
Mall, Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, FDR
Memorial, Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorials, Pennsylvania Avenue
from the Capitol to the White House, Constitution Gardens, East and
West Potomac Parks, 60 statues, numerous other historic sites,
memorials, and parklands and significant maintenance and preservation
support for the White House and U.S. Navy Memorial.
http://www.nps.gov/nacc/index.htm
Inside
the White House - You are the President
From National Geographic - an interactive simulation. "You
got the nomination, you campaigned, you won. Then you took the oath of office,
made the first speech of your administration, and danced the night away. With
any luck, you finally got some sleep in that old house you’re borrowing
on Pennsylvania Avenue. But now it’s morning in America—time to face
the Oval Office. It’s YOUR chance to be President of the United States.
Let’s see how you do."
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/whitehouse/whhome.html
PBS
Democracy Project
Here is another great site for teaching government.
http://www.pbs.org/democracy/kids/
Big
Dig Archaeology
From the Boston Museum of Science Online, this site explores the archaeological
treasures unearthed by this huge road building project.
"This folklore site contains retellings
of American folktales, Native American myths and legends, tall tales, weather
folklore and ghost stories from each and every one of the 50 United States."
http://www.americanfolklore.net