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 deck on the Boom Learning platform: 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.  It's easy to differentiate since there are three different leveled texts!

Freedom Isn't Free

Here's another resource on the Boom Learning platform comparing two North American countries! 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

Want a fun collection with a huge savings?

 Learning About the USA Bundle

Or perhaps you'd prefer this collection of digital resources on Boom Learning: USA Boom Bundle

How do you help younger children learn about the USA?

November Deals

Somehow, November is here already! 

Here are a few Dollar Deal resources to help get you through this busy month! 

 

We start the month with a couple of Patriotic Holidays: Election Day and Veterans Day! Here are a couple of freebies to help you out with these special days: 

(Explore each image for the link!)

Write some thank you letters to our Veterans! (This one is free!)

 Celebrate Election Day the way children should!

 Take breaks and learn about the country at the same time!

Help children distinguish between these 6 tricky Patriotic Holidays!

Of course, it's football season! Here's a football-themed game to practice counting to 1,000! 

 

 This game is a true favorite with my kiddos! It's played like "Old Maid", and is guaranteed to get them giggling! (Don't tell them they're practicing an important skill!)

Enjoy this busy month... don't blink, it goes by fast!

Do You Ever End Up Smarter After Watching Jeopardy?

Have you ever watched Jeopardy? 

I do love watching, even though I rarely know any of the answers. (Unless they have a musical theatre category, then I usually get them all!)

 

Who Wants to be a Millionaire is another fun trivia show to watch. Once in a while, I'll know an answer, but I could never get past the first level without Google!

My students have always loved these Brain Quest sets for the same reason. Sometimes they know the answer, but even if they don't, they enjoy them, and learn from them! (Each link is an Amazon affiliate.)

• Brain Quest 2nd Grade Q & A Cards
• Brain Quest Workbook Grade 2
• Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades 2 & 3

What do these all have in common?  After you've watched the shows, or read the Brain Quest sets, you end up knowing more than before! 

This is pretty much the reasoning behind a study strategy known as Retrieval Practice. Retrieval practice includes "practice tests" as a method of seeing what a student can remember, or retrieve from his memory. This strategy helps them know what they still need to study. Check out this link if you want to know more about this strategy: Learn How to Study Using Retrieval Practice. Here's another link about Retrieval Practice and other valued learning strategies. Four Research-Based Strategies Every Teacher Should Be Learning

Remembering what was questioned on game shows or trivia cards isn't quite the same as studying what was already taught, but seriously: if you try to think of an answer, then hear the answer, you are more likely to remember it, aren't you?

Since there is so much knowledge out there that the children just absorb when they're exposed to it, why not expose them to more knowledge?

I've created some Boom Learning digital task cards that are perfect for learning from trying to figure out an answer!  Here are a couple:

 

Canada, USA, or Both? is perfect for July, since Canada Day and Independence Day (USA) are celebrated at the beginning of the month. If you don't teach summer school, That's ok. Learning about these 2 North American countries any time of year is fun!

Landforms Boom Bundle is a great supplement to any work on Geography. I like to expose the children to this before I actually start working on landforms.  Since the children can use the Boom Learning Digital Task Cards over and over, they love to challenge themselves to get more correct each time! They become familiar with the vocabulary as well as the different geographic features of each landform as they practice. Plus, the teacher can easily go into the records to see how well they are getting to know their landforms!

 

Calendar General Knowledge Facts: Boom Learning I have one of these for each month of the year, based on fun calendar days and trivia. These aren't easy, and have questions about plenty of things the children haven't learned, but with each time through the Boom Learning decks, they'll know more and more!

July Calendar Trivia: Boom Learning This is your chance to try out these monthly trivia Boom Learning decks: the July deck is free! (And you don't have to wait until July to try it! Children love to do their birthday month, and the months of their friends' birthdays, too.) Or, honestly, they love any month, since children enjoy learning this way!

Here are a few more sets of Boom cards that are "self-learning:"

Science Review Boom Cards

Which Homophone? Boom Cards

Christopher Columbus Common Sense Boom Cards

Plurals, Possessives and Contractions BoomCards

Social Studies Review Boom Cards

Building Science and Social Studies Vocabulary: Boom Card Bundle 

 

Plus, here's a "Dollar Deal" vocabulary builder:

Vocabulary Builder: Weather, Plant, or Dessert? Boom Cards

Not familiar with Boom Learning digital task cards?  Here's more information:

 Boom Learning Digital Task Cards are Fun and Easy to Use

Twelve Reasons to Use Boom Learning Digital Task Cards

What are your ideas for fun ways to help them keep learning? 

Election Day Options for Little Learners

I'm tired of watching the attack ads on TV, my phone ringing constantly, getting flyer after flyer in the mail, and the signs all over town. Luckily, this campaign season is almost over. Thank goodness!

 I also think it's important to teach the importance of the election to the little ones. But in a gentler, kinder fashion.

We vote for our favorite indoor recess game! See the above image or see HERE for this freebie for Election Day. It includes ballots, graphs, and suggestions for the day.

We've been working on common and proper nouns, so I've cooked up this matching game with an election theme. I find ANY special day makes learning more fun, doesn't it? This set has several options, including a board game. You can learn more about this set HERE, or by see the image.

Kids always need brain breaks, and squeezing in a little patriotism doesn't hurt! See the image or see HERE to download this Dollar Deal!

Here are a few books I've found with an election theme.

(These are Amazon affiliates.)

Vote 

Duck for President
Amelia Bedelia's First Vote

Don't forget the Patriotic Music!

(These are also Amazon affiliates.)

America's Favorite Patriotic Songs

Songs of America

Kid's Dance Party Express: Songs of the USA

God Bless the USA: Kids Sing Songs for America

How do you honor election day with your little ones?

Looking at November

I'm looking at the calendar, and I just can't believe we're approaching November already! 

A lot happens in November, but there's no need to fear; I've got your teaching needs covered!

 

Here are a couple of resources to start off November: 

 

This one is on the popular Boom Learning platform:

November Facts Boom Learning

 

These daily writing or oral language prompts are perfect for morning meeting, or daily writing!

 November Morning Meeting Greeting Activities

Make your life easier by sending home these monthly communication brochures:

Parent Communication Brochures - November Edition

This is one of my favorite November resources: Science and Social Studies Activities for November!

Remember Election Day!

I'm sure I'll have the kiddos vote for something, but they won't be voting for president. It's far too controversial! This one's fun! (and free!)  Election Day Graphing Option for Little Kids

  Veteran's Day is November 11th! 

Here's a fun activity to help the children understand what a Veteran really is! This will spark some great conversations!  Veterans True or False

Here's another fun resource to help children learn about Veterans! (On the fun Boom Learning platform!) Armed Services Fun Facts

Once they figure out what Veterans are, they can use this freebie to write thank you notes to them. Thank You, Veterans!

Since Election Day and Veterans Day are both Patriotic holidays, enjoy these Patriotic Brain Breaks! See the image for the link to this freebie! Patriotic Brain Breaks

Of course, everyone's favorite November holiday is Thanksgiving! Check out these Thanksgiving Printables!

Do your students know the +9 trick? (It's just one less than the +10!) Here's a math game to practice +9s! Turkey Nines  (Oh my goodness, they LOVE this game! It works like "Old Maid")

And guess what... there's a freebie (easier) version!  Turkey Nines Freebie!

Want more turkeys? This little bundle includes more turkey learning fun, (including the Thanksgiving Turkey game) at a huge discount!

I hope you find something your students will love for the month of November!