Early American History ~ Lesson Plans and Printables (Introduction and Index)
Introduction
It’s time for a new school year, and we are busy making plans for our homeschool coop classes starting at the end of August! This Fall I am team-teaching with another mom who will be offering art and craft projects to complement my lessons in early American history (covering the years 1600 – 1800). I’ll be writing a detailed blog post for each week’s class, which will include a Lesson Plan, Printables, Resource List, and more. Ideas for art and craft projects based on what we do in coop will also be included.
Would you like to come along on our 13-week journey back in time? Following are lists of books and resources that you will need, as well as a suggested class schedule which you can adapt to your own needs. Each lesson plan will also include additional materials and resources needed specifically for that week.
Please feel free to comment below with your recommendations – I appreciate your ideas and suggestions!
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I am an affiliate of Amazon
Weekly Lesson Schedule
The blog post for each week’s lesson plan will be linked below as they are posted. Click here for the Timeline Poster and Student Timeline Folder instructions and free printables. Click here for the History Journal instructions and free printables.
Week 1: 1607 ~ Jamestown Settlement and Pocohontas
Week 2: 1620 ~ Mayflower Voyage
Week 3: 1621 ~ Squanto and Thanksgiving
Week 4: 1627 – 1699 ~ Plymouth Colony/Early Colonial Life
Week 5: 1700-1775 ~ Life In The Colonies
Week 6: 1706-1790 ~ Benjamin Franklin (1752 Kite Experiment)
Week 7: 1753 – 1784 Phillis Wheatley (1773 Poetry Published)
Week 9: 1734-1820 ~ Daniel Boone (1775 Wilderness Road)
Week 10: 1775-1783 ~ Revolutionary War/Declaration of Independence
Week 12: 1732-1799 ~ George Washington (First President 1789)
Week 13: 1774 – 1845 ~ Johnny Appleseed (First Orchard 1790)
Suggested Class Schedule
1. Introduction (Floor: 5 Minutes)
Introduce the year and subject for the lesson.
2. Map Activity (Floor – 5 Minutes)
On the wall map, point out the country, state, and/or city in which the story takes place. Allow the children to take turns placing dot stickers each week on the map.
3. Read Story (Floor: 10 – 15 Minutes)
Encourage discussion if time allows.
4. Timeline (Floor: 5 – 10 Minutes)
Pass out Timeline folders, timeline figure(s) for current lesson, and glue sticks. Show the kids the correct place to glue their figure in the timeline.
5. Game or Hands-On Project (Floor or Table: 10 – 15 Minutes)
Introduce the game or project and discuss why it is relevant to today’s lesson (origin, etc.)
6. History Journal (Table: 10 – 15 Minutes)
Pass out history journal workbooks and crayons or colored pencils. Explain any special instructions for the current lesson’s worksheets.
7. Food (Table: 10 – 15 Minutes)
Introduce the food and discuss why it is relevant to today’s lesson (origin of the recipe, why this particular food was important, etc.) Be sure to check with your children’s parents/caretakers for any food allergies.
Additional/Take-Home Activities
If you have extra time in class, provide these activities. You can also send them home with the children to help parents and caretakers extend the lesson during the week.
General Resources Needed
- World Wall Map
- Map of U.S.A.
- 13-Star U.S.A. Flag
- Posters of Early Americans (optional)
- Small Dot Stickers
- Washable Markers, Crayons, and/or Colored Pencils
- Glue Sticks
- Plates, Bowls, Napkins, Utensils, Small Cups (for food and drink)
- Computer, Black and White Printer
- Costumes, Handmade or Purchased: Pilgrim
- Timeline File Folder for each child and Timeline Poster – assemble before the first class (click here for instructions and free printables)
- History Journal filled with Worksheets for each child – assemble before the first class (click here for instructions and free printables)
Book List
Books were chosen based on their accuracy and relevance. In most cases the books are appropriate in their entirety for ages 4 – 7. For a few books I plan to edit out some passages due to time constraints and age-appropriateness.
- Great Colonial America Projects: You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)
- Colonial Days: Discover the Past with Fun Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes
- The Light and the Glory : Children’s Activity Book
(* please see note below)
- 15 Easy-to-Read Biography Mini-Books: Famous Americans – Grades K-2
(optional)
- Pocahontas: Girl of Jamestown
- Three Young Pilgrims
by Cheryl Harness
- Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
by Eric Metaxas
- Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl
- If You Lived In Colonial Times
by Ann Mcgovern
- Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
by Gene Barretta
- Phillis’s Big Test
by Catherine Clinton
- Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride
by Stephen Krensky
- A Picture Book of Daniel Boone
by David A. Adler OR Daniel Boone: Man of the Forests
by Carol Greene
- The Declaration of Independence
by Lori Mortensen
- The U.S. Constitution
by Norman Pearl
- A Picture Book of George Washington (Picture Book Biography)
by David A. Adler
- Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend
by Will Moses
Be sure to check your local library to see if they have some of these books!
* The publisher of the The Light and the Glory : Children’s Activity Book
Copyright 2015 Kathryn Depew
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I am an affiliate of Amazon
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