It’s been an eventful, and educational, 24 hours in America. We’ve learned the definition (and difference) of words such as protest, insurrection and terrorist. But, I struggled with how to explain this difficult day. Off to the Internet I went, and thought I’d have to wade through a lot of boring political junk. Not at all! There are a ton of really interesting, thoughtful and FREE study units for kids of all ages(and moms, too, because I spent a good hour on the last resource listed here!).
I found that our country has encountered and overcome difficult days and issues that deeply divide us. We’ve seen how fragile democracy can be, and how strong.
I put together this list of study units the twins and I found to be helpful and have used in the past when they were younger. I hope this can help you in your homeschool and put the recent events in perspective. And there are always ways to supplement your free civic lessons with books and videos. Of course, there’s also always Schoolhouse Rock. I mean, come on, that’s a great one.
These free civic lessons are organized with an age/grade level to help you weed through the info. But, as a relatively new homeschooler, I’m learning grades don’t mean a thing. If kids are interested, put things in front of them and see what works. You may have to subscribe to get the free download so I am only including those that I have subscribed to and find their emails helpful. But you can unsubscribe anytime.
Peanut Butter Fish Lessons
Ideal for – 3rd-6th grade
This mom’s detailed study units and helpful packets to help kids with focus and following directions (her January packet is out and it’s awesome!). The U.S. Constitution Study Unit guides parents and kids through how a group of people with widely varying ideas of what it would take to run a country came together to create a framework that has withstood attack on many levels over 200+ years. She delves into how they decided what to keep and what to weed out of the original constitution, the process of ratification and how the constitution continues to be updated as the world changes.
The unit study contains printable notebooking pages, a timeline and is based on the book “What is the Constitution?”.
Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government
Ideal for – PreK-Elementary, middle, high school
This is a fun, educational and interactive free civic lessons site is compiled by the Government Publishing Office (GPO). Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, it is filled with info that is age-appropriate and easy to understand, activities for homeschool parents, and students broken down into ages. This is a great tool to help teach kids about government and how it works from the bottom up.
BookShark
Ideal For – 8-12
The Constitution Unit Study is a free two-week crash course that includes reading assignments, discussion questions, art study, mapping, creative writing, vocabulary and more. It delves into the electoral college, the veto process, impeachment and how and why the amendments have been included. You have to become a subscriber, but you can unsubscribe any time.
Gilder Lehrman Institute
Ideal For – Any age. Seriously. I love this site. And the emails have helped me fill up the inevitable hole in our homeschool when we need to change it up.
There is so much to check out on this site about the tumultuous history of our country. Check out President George Washington’s diffusion of a mass of frustrated and angry soldiers were discussing confronting Congress as a heavily armed mob. The institute’s George Washington and the Newburgh Conspiracy of 1783 breaks down the difficult spot the general faced and how his leadership pulled a broken country together. The History Now: The Journal features essays by our country’s top historians. They give context to what’s happening now in our country with lessons on related historical events and leaders.
