Are you interested in studying colonial America in your homeschool but not sure where to start? This post may be able to help. We have had a lot of fun with the reading and activities we’ve done during these studies, and I really believe you will find the ideas I have to share today both fun and educational
We have had a lot of fun with the reading and activities we’ve done during these studies, and I really believe you will find the ideas I have to share today both fun and educational
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How to Study Colonial America in Your Homeschool
We’ve been studying Colonial America for a few months now in our homeschool. I have to say this has been my favorite part of history to study to date.
Since we are very eclectic homeschoolers, we’ve been piecing together our lessons using various curriculum and supplements. Keep reading to find out what we used in our homeschool to study the colonial days of our nation.
Colonial America Lapbook
With every topic we’ve decided to study so far, we’ve found a lapbook by A Journey Through Learning that matches our topic perfectly. This month, we chose to work through the Colonial America Lapbook.
The girls like when we work on lapbooks because it gives them a project that is fun and hands on to keep them busy as they learn. They really seem to enjoy putting together the individual booklets.
Even after we move on to a new area of study, I will still find them flipping through their completed lapbooks. This makes for a happy mom because I know the information they’ve learned will stick with them for a long time.
While they think the lapbooks are a fun way to learn, I like that they can be worked on independently. There is an informational page for each of the booklets. They can read the informational pages on their own (or together) and then complete the booklet when they are finished.
The finished lapbooks are so colorful and visually appealing. They also fold up to fit perfectly in our portfolio for the end of the year.
Here is what the Colonial America lapbook looked like once we completed it:
All American History
In addition to our lapbook, we’ve also been using All American History Volume 1 (junior) with the Illuminations lesson plan. Paired with the lapbook from A Journey Through Learning, both of these curriculum bases put together gave us an extremely well-rounded study.
In All American History, we covered the earliest settlers of America and the original 13 colonies more in depth – one colony at a time. Every time we studied a new colony, we would add it to our timeline hanging in our hallway.
(Unfortunately, I was unable to get a good picture due to poor lighting.)
Books to Read
Hands down, our favorite time of day is read-aloud time. This year we’ve been choosing our literature reading to accompany our history lessons for the year.
We have really been enjoying the historical fiction books on our Illuminations reading list, among others. When studying colonial America, I recommend the following books:
If You Lived In Colonial TimesIf You Lived At The Time Of The American Revolution
Surviving Jamestown: The Adventures of Young Sam Collier
Almost Home: A Story Based on the Life of the Mayflower’s Mary Chilton (Daughters of the Faith Series)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Moe also really seemed to love reading along and listening to the Rush Revere series:
Rush Revere Hardcover Set 4-Book Set The Adventures of Rush RevereRush Revere Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans Series 4 AUDIO SET
Tweet ThisRag Doll Craft
Moe recently learned how to make rag dolls with her American Heritage Girls Explorer’s troop. The timing of this badge work couldn’t have had better timing because the project fit in perfectly with what we were studying.
Part of their badge requirements was to learn about how little kids liked to play and have fun during the colonial days. Then they had to teach the younger girls in the Pathfinder troop how to make their own rag dolls too.
I asked Moe to also teach KK (since she’s still a Tenderheart) so that all three of the girls could have their own rag doll to play with. They had a ton of fun making these dolls, and have even since then made an even tinier rag doll for their own doll.
Liberty Kids
To really make sure the lessons sank in, we watched the episodes of Liberty Kids again. My girls absolutely loved this cartoon series and learned so much from it. Each time they watch it, they learn something they missed the first time.
Liberty’s Kids – The Complete Series
Liberty Kids is a cartoon series that takes place during the early colonial days. Through this exciting story, kids learn about events and people such as:
- Boston Tea Party
- Ben Franklin
- Paul Revere and the midnight ride
- Signing of the Declaration of Independence
- Revolutionary War
This DVD has been one of the best homeschool purchases we’ve made so far. I highly recommend it.
Need More Ideas?
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How fun! I especially love the home-made colonial dolls!