Learning About the USA

There is a lot going around in politics that is far too brutal for small children. Yet, their little eyes and ears are open, and they're noticing what is going on around them. 

I think this is a good time for the children to learn about the USA.

I prefer to use this interest to teach the children more "safe," "non-biased" information about their country. As teachers, we have an obligation to teach them to think for themselves, and certainly not to tell them how to think! 

I have several Amazon affiliate links below that will bring a few pennies to me, at absolutely no cost to you. These are some examples of teaching children about the United States without teaching them to have an opinion.

How about a book of maps?

Beginner's United States Atlas 

(National Geographic Kids)

How about a book of USA places?

USA Destinations That Spark Our Fascinations 

by Gene Lipen

 

 Here's a fun collection of true tales from American History!

The American Story 

by Jennifer Armstrong

Here are some great biographies about American women!

50 Fearless Women Who Made American History 

by Jenifer Bazzit

Here is a book that will empower little ones!

No Voice Too Small 

edited by Lindsey H. Metcalf, Kelia V. Dawson, and Jeannette Bradley

 

I'm sure you know plenty more children's books to educate children about the United States of America! (Leave a comment below with your favorites!)

Here are a few resources that can be used throughout the year, whether or not there is a patriotic holiday on the horizon!

This is my newest Boom Learning set: the children think about each USA fact, and decide if it is true or false. 

 Fun Facts About the USA 

These Reading Comprehension for Active Learners sets have always been a big hit for my learners! This one tells about the 5 branches of the US military.  

Freedom Isn't Free

Here's another Boom Learning set comparing two of the countries in North America!  Canada, USA, or Both?

This resource is a favorite! It's perfect for helping the children to recognize and accept the differences between the people in our country!

Just or Unjust? Fair or Unfair?

These mapping task cards help children learn their way around the USA map! 

Mapping Task Cards USA Mapping Sets One and Two

This set combines several skills, and can be used for Presidents Day, Election Day, or any day you're learning about the USA! Mapping, Comparing, Syllables, and Opinion Writing with a President Theme

Do your students struggle to remember which patriotic holiday is which? 

Which Patriotic Holiday? A Sorting Game

 All the above items are contained in this bundle, plus several others, all at a huge discount!  

 Learning About the USA Bundle

Plus, these additional resources are also included!

 Patriotic Brain Breaks

President Writing Prompts

President's Day  Mini-Books

Social Studies Review

America Map

USA Paper

How do you help younger children learn about the USA?

February Books, Resources, and Deals!

Can you believe February is upon us? 

I've got a bunch of ideas to help you get ready!

Groundhog Day is February second. Will that groundhog see his shadow? Well, here's a groundhog that can predict the weather! (Amazon affiliate.)

• Groundhog Weather School: Fun Facts about Groundhogs and Weather.

Here's a collection of Groundhog learning activities the kiddos will love:

Groundhog Mini-bundle

The image will bring you to the bundle, but you can also grab individual resources if you prefer.

Have you had Day 100? Ours will be this Wednesday. Here's a great Day 100 book! (Amazon affiliate.)

• 100th Day Worries

This is a game that challenges my second graders, and they love it! 

Mental Math 100: Adding and Subtracting Hundreds

This is a great activity if you're going to be out: easy directions, and the kiddos LOVE it! And it's great for developing their number sense.  Here's another Day 100 activity for "older" kiddos to practice sets of 100 Count to 1,000 Booklet.

And a Day 100 Dollar Deal for active kids...just see the image! Beanie Toss to 100

Guess what else is coming soon... Mardi Gras! These worksheets, games, and activities will keep them busy AND learning! Mardi Gras No Prep Activities: Literacy and Math

Valentine's Day is the same week! Here's my VERY favorite book to read on Valentine's Day! This one will warm your heart and the kid's hearts as well! (Amazon affiliate.)

• Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch!

And a Valentine's Day Dollar Deal!

Two Valentine's Day Mini-Books

Here are a few fun books for Presidents Day! (Amazon affiliates.)

• Arthur Meets the President
• Who Was Abraham Lincoln?
• Who Was George Washington?

          

Here's a game to help your kids remember which American holiday is which! Which Patriotic Holiday?

Here are plenty of activities for the kids with an American President theme! President's Day Games and Activities

Want to make life a whole lot easier and grab a big bargain?  Here's a bundle with several different activities

February Bundle!

Hope these items help you get through February!

Science and Social Studies for February

Do you find it difficult to fit everything in?

I sure do! The toughest things to fit in are Science and Social Studies.

Once we're done with reading, writing, spelling, handwriting, grammar, and math, there's no time left for these two subjects! 

The really sad part is that these are typically the most popular subjects, and the ones where everyone can have success!

I've been working at making it easier to squeeze these fun subjects in, and came up with this: Science and Social Studies Activities for February

It's got printables to make your life easier, yet it still provides learning opportunities in Science and Social Studies, along with February themes and engaged children!

For Super Bowl Sunday, it's got a science exploration that includes rolling balls down a ramp, predictions and revisions.

For Groundhog Day, there's a nonfiction science text and questions about groundhogs, and a "hibernating animal" classification.

 

For Valentine's Day, there's a fact sheet about the heart, and an exploration on exercise and heart rate.

For Presidents Day, there's a nonfiction text and questions about Abraham Lincoln, a timeline on Abraham Lincoln's life, and a mapping activity identifying states in which presidents were born.

I hope this makes your life easier, and a little more fun for your kiddos! You can see this product here: Science and Social Studies Activities for February.

 I hope this makes your teaching life a bit easier!

Show Your Patriotism!

I'm sitting here watching the annual 4th of July Boston Pops Concert and swelling with pride for my country. 

It seems these concerts just keep getting better and better! Back in the old days, we used to drive down to Boston, spend all day saving our spots on the Esplanade, then watch the concert live. The traffic and crowds never bothered us, it was always worth it! 

Nowadays I sit in my living room and watch it on TV. It's not quite as exciting as watching it live, but it sure is more convenient!

In honor of the holiday, I've created some brain breaks with a patriotic theme.

Research tells us that moving aides learning by bringing oxygen to the brain! I do love to include anything the kids are learning as brain breaks. I usually manage to include seasonal or holiday brain breaks when I can. These Patriotic Brain Breaks can be used for any Patriotic holiday: Constitution Day, Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, or Independence Day!

 

 

See the image or see here to download this fun resource: Patriotic Brain Breaks!

Ten Seasonal Deals

It's that time of year when the special days come one right after the other, and I'm getting ready!

 

I thought I'd give you a taste of several upcoming special Days! Most of the resources listed are $1.00!

Sometimes I think all these special days are the only things that get me (and the kids) through these New England winters! 

 

The Super Bowl is indeed coming up, which means many of our students will have football fever! 

Try this: Football Game Board and Cards - Counting to 1,000.

Soon is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Thanks, Dr. King for all you did for peace as well as the day off!)  Here's a popular resource to get the kids thinking about justice! See the image below for Just or Unjust!

You can get this resource for free by signing up for my helpful emails HERE.

Many people are getting ready to celebrate Day 100, but we have another month before that happens. However, I do think Day 90 is a great opportunity to celebrate my favorite fraction! Halfway Day includes a couple of fractions to practice 1/2, and some badges for the children to wear to celebrate 1/2 way through the school year!

Ten days later, we'll be celebrating the 100th day of school!  I have a little tradition I started years ago, I take my kiddos from class to class singing Day 100 songs.  Here's a link for one of my songs: 100 Days Smarter!

Another Day 100 treat, a math game for active kiddos!  

Here's a link to this freebie:  Beanie Toss to 100!

That groundhog will be peaking out of his burrow in just a couple of weeks! (I sure hope spring comes early, I've had enough!) Check out the link here:  Groundhog Consonant - l-e Sort!

I often begin doing research projects with my students mid-year. The ABC book is a great way to present the information! ABC Book Template

Pretty soon, we'll be celebrating our presidents! Here's a fun one: Presidents Day Mini Booklets!

Here's another way to celebrate our presidents! See the image below for President Writing Prompts

And, of course, Valentine's Day is less than a month away, and the kids are getting excited about that too!  Valentine's Day Mini-Books

Wow, we have some busy days ahead of us! I hope these ten Deals will help you through!