Explore Colonial America!: 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments

Description

In Explore Colonial America!, kids ages 6-9 learn about America's earliest days as European settlements, and how the colonists managed to survive, build thriving colonies, and eventually challenge England for independence. How did the colonists build homes, feed and clothe themselves, and get along with the Native Americans who were already here? This accessible introduction to the colonial period teaches young children about the daily lives of ordinary colonists and offers fascinating stories about those who helped shape the emerging nation. Activities range from creating a ship out of a bar of soap and building a log home out of graham crackers and pretzels to making a wampum necklace. Projects are easy-to-follow, require minimal adult supervision, and use primarily common household products and recycled supplies. By combining a hands-on element with riddles, jokes, fun facts, and comic cartoons, kids Explore Colonial America!, and have a great time discovering our nation's founding years.

Verna Fisher has written more than 100 regional, national, and online magazine articles focusing on children, education, and Native American topics. She lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Bryan Stone has worked on a variety of professional comics and illustration projects, including drawings for Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center and a monthly, three page, comic called Onion Head for Bash Magazine. Bryan is a graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies and now lives in Hartland, Vermont.

CLEAR REVIEW "This would make a wonderful companion book for teachers focusing on this period in history and looking for interesting facts and kid friendly activities like making a log cabin using pretzel rods and icing, yum. Words specific to the period are defined throughout the book and there are "cool facts" that are just that, they don't disappoint." Nashville Parent Book Reviews "Learn about America's colonists, how they learned to survive, and key figures and events that helped shape the country we know today. Several projects and activities weave through each chapter, making this title more fun your young readers." Susan Aten, elementary school teacher, The Hillside School, Macungie, Pennsylvania "Ms. Fisher uses humor and hands-on activities to bring history alive. Before I present a historical unit, I usually have to search out maps, photographs, drawings, vocabulary, and activities to enhance the base material. Ms. Fisher did the work for me in her fascinating children's book on Colonial America." Sandy Chambers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kutztown University "Will engage children and motivate them to keep reading." Chief Robert Red Hawk Ruth, Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania "Education and understanding our common history is so important. Explore Colonial America! is a great way for children to learn in a fun and easy way. I recommend this book highly." Brennan Pursell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, DeSales University "What a pleasure! This hands-on, fun-filled text makes the history of the thirteen colonies come alive for young people. Verna Fisher's text invites, informs, and delights." Joseph A. DiMauro, OSFS, Ed.D. "Verna Fisher's book is a delight for any teacher of elementary and middle school students. The author uses many teaching methods and makes use of history, jokes, and activities throughout the book. Students are exposed to the people and events and experiences of Colonial America in an up-close and personal way. This book may be used in any classroom or home schooled situation."