The Story of the First Trans-Continental Railroad: Free eBook

The Story of the First Trans-Continental Railroad: Free eBook

What comes to mind when you think of the Transcontinental Railroad? The golden spike, right? But would you have thought of Thomas Jefferson? The Oregon missions? The Civil War? Chicago politics? Available free online, The Story of the First Trans-continental Railroad: Its Projectors, Construction and History by W.F. Bailey gives a complete account of one [...]

Free Unit: A Honey of a Unit Study

Free Unit: A Honey of a Unit Study

Looking for a fun summer unit?  How about investigating bees! A Honey of a Unit Study by Marybeth Whalen, originally published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, will keep you and your children busy. The unit includes a recommended reading list as an introduction, history, science, Bible, career exploration, literature and writing.  You’ll cook with honey [...]

4th of July 2011

4th of July (Holiday Helps)

4th of July, 2011 We have updated our 4th of July Holiday Helps page.  You will find history, units, lapbooks, crafts, and activities to help you and your family learn more about our country’s independence and to celebrate the 4th of July.

Learning Across the USA – Free E-Book

Learning Across the USA - Free E-Book

Now until June 30th CurrClick is having a scavenger hunt and giving away 8 free downloads. One of these, Learning Across the USA, is a particularly helpful download. It features 117 pages of activities and information on the 50 states, including one notebooking page per state.  Information about each state, state identification activities, a jeopardy [...]

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: A Mini-Unit

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: A Mini-Unit

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established June 16, 1775 by the Continental Congress to serve General George Washington.  General Washington appointed a Chief Engineer, Colonel Richard Gridley, considered the founding father of the Corps, who was responsible for building batteries above the city of Boston that played a large role in the British [...]

American Boy’s Handy Book – Free eBook

American Boy's Handy Book - Free eBook

The American Boy’s Handy Book or What to Do and How to Do It by Daniel Carter Beard contains ideas that will keep your young man busy all summer. The summer section includes knots, fishing, boats, soap bubbles, camping, and birding; but feel free to borrow ideas from all of the sections of the book.  [...]

Father’s Day 2011

Father's Day (Holiday Helps)

Father’s Day, June 19, 2011 We have updated our Father’s Day Holiday Helps page.  You will find crafts, projects, writing ideas, activities and thoughts for making this Father’s Day special.

Cartier’s St. Lawrence River: A Mini-Unit

Cartier's St. Lawrence River: A Mini-Unit

Jacques Cartier was born in 1491. As he was considered a good seaman, in 1534 the king of France sent him to find a route from France to the western sea. On the first try, he found the inlet to the St. Lawrence, but didn’t enter it. Instead he returned home with a report that [...]

First Book of Bugs Free E-Book

First Book of Bugs Free E-Book

Looking for something fun to do this summer with the younger set?  How about explore bugs? The First Book of Bugs by Margaret Williamson tells you all about the creepy crawlies:  crickets, beetles, flies, spiders, ants, moths and butterflies, wasps and bees.  The illustrations are detailed enough to help with identifying without being too schooly, [...]

Paper Sloyd: Free eBook

Paper Sloyd: Free eBook

What is paper sloyd?  The preface to Paper Sloyd:A Handbook for Primary Grades by Ednah Anne Rich defines sloyd as “tool work so arranged and employed as to stimulate and promote vigorous, intelligent self-activity for a purpose, which the worker recognizes as good.” Sloyd, which means “skilled labor” in Swedish, was originally a system of [...]

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II: A Mini-Unit

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II:  A Mini-Unit

On June 2, 1953, a large crowd gathered in the streets of London to catch a glimpse of their soon-to-be queen, Elizabeth II. Her father, King George VI, had died a little more than a year before.  During the months between his death and his oldest daughter’s coronation, his countrymen mourned for him deeply.  He [...]