Category Archives: Renaissance and Colonial Period
Rebellion in the Netherlands Map
The Dutch colonies had been governed by Spain via the powerful Habsburg family for a generation, but the old king, Charles V, had been born and raised in the low countries, he spoke the language and understood the people. When … Continue reading
Great Persistence Made Washington Great
Think of some of the people from history who you admire most. Joan of Arc, George Washington, Mozart, Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, William Wilberforce. What do these people have in common? Really. Miserable. Lives. People who have serious challenges, learn … Continue reading
Presidential Fact Finders
To celebrate President’s Day this year, we’re playing Presidential Fact Finders. You start with a simple craft, then turn it into a game! You’ll need 2 contrasting colors of construction paper, pencils, scissors, glue, and this printable template from our … Continue reading
The First Thanksgiving Activities
It is generally the people who have the most trials that feel the most gratitude toward God. This was certainly the case of the Pilgrims. It was because of their heavy suffering of that first year that they felt such … Continue reading
David Thompson: Cartographer
David Thompson was a Canadian explorer, surveyor, and map maker of the early 1800′s. He is known as the greatest land geographer who ever lived. The natives of the North American continent knew him as Koo-Koo-Sint, “Star-Gazer”. Born in England in 1770, he was poor and … Continue reading
Rhymes of Slave Children
Most of us know about the American slave spirituals which transformed into gospel music, took a turn and became blues and rock & roll and rap and many other genres of pure American music. We aren’t so aware of the … Continue reading
Bill of Rights For Kids
My favorite novel is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, but my favorite document is The Constitution of the United States. This inspired document has done more good in the world than almost any other written word, except the Bible … Continue reading
Meaningful Activities For Kids On Washington’s Birthday
When teaching my own kids I don’t just look for cute activities around a theme, like Presidents Day. I mean making a puppet of George Washington would be fun, but what would they learn? I always approach a lesson from the idea … Continue reading
John Harrison and the Greatest Contest Ever
John Harrison The greatest problem of the eighteenth century was the problem of longitude. European countries were busy making their fortunes through trade and the forefront of this great commercial enterprise was Britain. Britain had the greatest navy in the world and the most far flung and profitable colonies … Continue reading
The Prince: How to Maintain Your Power At All Costs
Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian, wrote a book called The Prince. It is dedicated very ingratiatingly to Lorenzo Di Piero De Medici. Machiavelli outlines, very confidently, how a ruler should behave in his or her role over their people. He argues … Continue reading
Native American Legends
Every people has an ancient oral literary history. Usually these tales, passed down from one generation to the next by professional story tellers, are magical and mystical in nature, besides teaching the values and mores of a society. In North America there … Continue reading
Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross is celebrated as the seamstress of the American flag (though some do doubt this claim). She was born in 1752 and lived to be 84 years old. She had 16 siblings! She was married in a tavern and … Continue reading
Apartheid
In the late 1600′s the Dutch began to settle South Africa, at first as a stop along the trade route to Asia and after for the land and diamonds of South Africa itself. Others including French, Scandinavians, English, and Germans. … Continue reading
Old Glory
On our sister site, The Executive Mom, we’re offering an Old Glory Sign as a giveaway. To enter, all you have to do is leave us a comment about what your Independence Day plans are this year. The catch is, … Continue reading
The Other Immigrants
Everyone has heard of Ellis Island and the Irish, German, French, British, Scandinavian and other European immigrants, but we don’t hear much about Angel Island and the Asian immigrants. As you’re studying modern Chinese history, take some time to find … Continue reading
The Tenth Amendment For Kids
My kids learned about the tenth amendment in connection with the civil war. Back then everybody was yelling “State’s Rights! State’s Rights!” What were they talking about? They were talking about the tenth amendment. The Tenth Amendment says: The powers not … Continue reading
Be a Civil War Soldier
Whether from the north or south, civil war soldiers were very much the same and lived in very similar conditions. First dress the part: At the beginning of the civil war neither the north nor the south had uniforms, they … Continue reading
Abraham Lincoln Time Line
Abraham Lincoln was a fascinating man who changed the course of America’s history. Most of us know his basic story, but here are some fun facts you may not know. . . Lincoln loved animals and refused to hunt. He … Continue reading
Covered Wagon Craft
The pioneers and the wild west are a fascinating part of American history. Here’s a fun and simple craft to go along with a pioneer theme. Start with a food box packaging, like a small cracker box. Cut off about … Continue reading
European Colonization of Africa
After Europeans had exploited or tried to exploit every other people on earth, they turned their attention to Africa in the 1800′s. First they merely explored, then they began to trade (including the slave trade), and finally they wanted to … Continue reading
Slavery
Slavery has been a condition of the human world since ancient times and occurred in nearly every culture all across the globe. Exceptions were the Tribes of Israel and the Anglo-Saxons of England before William the Conqueror. Until one man … Continue reading
War of 1812
The war of 1812 is often forgotten by Americans. Yet it was very significant in our early growth as a nation. We had won the war for Independence in 1783, but our independence was still tenuous until 1815 when we … Continue reading
Revolutionary War Hat Craft
You can make simple hats to represent the hats worn by American men during the Revolutionary War period. You Need 3 pieces of construction paper in any color staples feather (optional) First cut out the hat shape. It’s easiest to … Continue reading
Re-enacting the Battle of Long Island
In August of 1776, early in the American Revolutionary War, general Washington had maneuvered his troops to Long Island in the hopes of protecting the city of New York from the British. Washington occupied and fortified Brooklyn Heights, across the … Continue reading
Napoleon
Whatever else Napoleon was he was fascinating. At our house we’ve been learning about the French Revolution and Napoleon. After the French Revolution had gone through several constitutions and even more governments not to mention the terrible time known as … Continue reading
Colonial Dolls
In most times in the history of the world kids made their own toys out of whatever was at hand. During the American Colonial Period girls made dolls out of corn husks and other things as well. Here’s how to … Continue reading
Plains Indians
I have to admit, we did this project mostly for fun and not for its educational value. The plains Indians, and Indians of the Rocky Mountains used Tee Pees for at least part of the year. We made our own, … Continue reading
American Declaration of Independence
Even young kids can understand the first couple of paragraphs, though some of the words will need to be defined for them. This line in particular resonates with all people regardless of their age, “We hold these truths to self-evident, … Continue reading
