It's A Revolution!

There is a little bit of the American Revolution going around. I have several friends working their way through it, others asking about it, and we are in the middle of it, so why not post one blog and help everyone on their journey through the American Revolution?

Rather than learn about the Revolution as a whole this year, we're taking a look at the events from the angles of the men and women who lived it. As a way to tie it together, we are putting all the famous faces on a timeline so the kids can visually see where the people fall in line time-wise.

Our timeline. You can see we've just started. In fact, we have two more pictures to add today: Abigail Adams and Martha Washington. A side note- our study and reading about George and Martha Washington made the kids curious about Abraham Lincoln. One of our daughters had read Meet George Washington (Step Up Books series) independently and then borrowed Meet Abraham Lincoln (Step Up Books series) from friends, so when the topic came up, the girls started sharing all they knew about our sixteenth president. Later we read about Annie Oakley somewhere, and well, our history study moved forward to the Civil War. Not sure I was done with all I wanted to study about the Revolution, but intrinsic motivation increases retention, so I decided I would rather move on and have them remember what we are studying. Later this week we will add some Civil War era folks to the time line.

Back to the Revolution. Here are some of the books we enjoyed as we studied those who fought for the independence of our country.

George Washington

Adler, David A., A Picture Book of George Washington

d'Aulaire, Ingri, George Washington

Harness, Cheryl, George Washington

Heilbroner, Joan, Meet George Washington (StepUp Books series reprinted in paperback with similar text as a Landmark book)

Stevenson, Augusta, George Washington: Young Leader (Childhood of Famous Americans)

Abraham Lincoln

Adler, David A., A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln

Brenner, Martha, Abe Lincoln's Hat (Step Into Reading series)

Cary, Barbara, Meet Abraham Lincoln (Step Up B

ooks)

Winters, Kay, Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Bo

oks

Betsy Ross

Wallner, Alexandra, Betsy Ross

Weil, Ann, Betsy Ross: Designer of our Flag (Childhood of Famous Americans)

Paul Revere

Adler, David A., A Picture Book of Paul Revere

Fritz, Jean, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, Paul Revere's Ride (illustrated by Ted Rand)

Stevenson, Augusta, Paul Revere: Boston Patriot (Childhood of Famous Americans)

Benjamin Franklin

Hareness, Cheryl, The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin

Scarf, Maggi, Meet Benjamin Franklin (Step Up Books)

Stevenson, Augusta, Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer (Childhood of Famous Americans)

Sam Adams

Adler, David A., The Picture Book of Sam Adams

Fritz, Jean, Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?

The American Revolution

Dalgliesh, Alice, The 4th of July

McGovern, Ann, If You Lived In Colonial Times

Moore, Kay, If You Lived At the Time of the American Revolution

We have used various activities from History Pockets: Colonial America and History Pockets: American Revolution by Evan-Moor. Homeschool Share also has lapbook ideas for the American Revolution.

As we move onto the Civil War here is a lapbook one of my daughters created. Some of her graphics were cut from old history textbooks. Templates for some of the topics were used from Homeschool Share.

On the Edge of Our Seats

"Read one more!" My daughters pleaded.

Chapters in in the life of Betsy Ross are unfolding in our home. Quakers. Samplers. John Ross. The woven tapestry of Betsy Ross: Designer of Our Flag is just one book in the well-known Childhood of Famous Americans series. Author Ann Weil transports readers to the streets of pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia where Betsy enters the High Street Fair. A Quaker, the path to the fair was less than smooth, riddled with decisions, questions, and reflection. And we are in the midst, wrestling with Betsy's thoughts and then...well, I just can't say. It would ruin the story.

What will become of John Ross? When will Betsy sew the flag? We must keep reading to find out.

If you find yourself on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next, check out these additional resources about Betsy Ross.

Read:

Betsy Ross: Designer of Our Flag by Ann Weil

Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner

Betsy Ross: Patriot of Philadelphia by Judith St. George

F is for Flag by Wendy Lewison

The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgaliesh

A is for America by Devin Scillian

Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag by Sarah L Thomson

Research:

• Information about the American flag
• Learn flag etiquette and how to display the American flag
• Visit the interactive site of the National Museum of American History to learn more about the Star Spangled Banner
• How to cut a five-pointed star
• Find out more about the Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia. Visit if you have the ability.
• Learn about the main People of the Revolution.
• Listen to Revolutionary music and learn more about the music birthed from our young nation.

Locate:

• Philadelphia on a map. In which state is Philadelphia located? How much distance is between Philadelphia and the city in which you live?

Do:

• Cut out a fabric star and appliqué to a piece of broadcloth.
• Make a timeline of events as related to the United States flag.
• Make a patriot craft
• Learn the lyrics to patriotic songs