Free Printable 4th of July Coloring Pages, U.S. History Lesson Plans

4th of July, or Independence Day, commemorates the US signing of the Declaration of Independence. It's our nation's birthday. How people celebrate differs. I remember lavish picnics, parades as a kid. Then going to the beach and fireworks with our kids. I also threw holiday-themed parties, homeschooling our children. Here are free printable Fourth of July games, flag crafts and coloring pages, American history lesson plans and worksheets and patriotic activities. Use as party invitations, games and decorations. Combine free printables with activities and recipes listed in my other 4th of July party articles (linked) Read on  4th of July Free Printable Coloring and Games

Free Printable St Valentines Day Lessons

Valentines Day is a feast day in the Catholic church to honor a Roman priest who performed marriages against an edict by the emperor. Valentine was martyred. Here are free printable lesson plans on the history of Valentines Day from a Catholic perspective. Catholic Saint Valentine Lesson Plans, Activities

Black History Month From Rosa Parks' Bus Seat, Printable Lessons

Complaints about why there's a Black History Month really grind me. If you have to ask, you don't get American history period. The revisionists aren't the ones teaching black history, they're the ones who wrote it out in the first place. Slavery, segregation, Jim Crow stole an entire peoples' past. Black History Month can't replace that. But it can renew the future. It can revive traditions, restore voices and reinvest in the heritage that was denied. I've always felt intense solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized. But recently, I experienced it in a new way. I sat in Rosa Parks' bus seat. Here's more on that and printable lesson plans For Black History Month, Learn Jim Crow Lessons From Rosa Parks' Bus Seat

Free American History Crafts Activities, Games, Printables

I'm a teacher, homeschooler veteran and history reenactor. During the summer, I teach a 1700s-era dame school at our local history museum "Feast of the Strawberry Moon" encampment. Here are hands-on history crafts and free printables. Use for camping or Memorial Day, summer camp, 4th of July activities. Activities could also work into a unit around Thanksgiving, native Americans or early Americana.

School history. Explain that education wasn't compulsory in the U.S. colonies till 1852 (says Education Bug), then only in Massachusetts. Kids might be taught in "dame schools." Then only basics. Women weren't deemed capable of teaching boys. They taught handicrafts, reading, writing and ciphering. Higher education was taught by men to families who could afford it. Here are free printable history activities from Kidipede. I've linked to the main page so you see the collection.  Free History Activities, Games, Printables, Crafts- Colonial America

Free Printable Hands-On Early American History Lesson Plans

Most elementary school curriculum contains a unit on American history. In 4th grade, many states require teachers to study pioneer, settler and early American history in their classrooms. Here are free printable lesson plans for social studies and American history, just in time for 4th of  July. These lessons have been developed by teachers for teachers. Some have been designed by local history museums and historical societies. Use these in public school and home school. Age levels are set out for individual lessons but these are flexible. Many will work with special needs classrooms, also. Free Printable Hands-On Early American History Lesson Plans

St. Patrick's Day Free Printables

Erin Go Bragh! Sure an' it's soon we'll be wearin' the green and looking for a pot of gold with the leprechauns! St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, on March 17th. St. Patrick's Day celebrates the life of Patricus was a young wealthy Roman boy living in Briton, who was kidnapped and taken into slavery by Irish merchants. On the Irish shores the the young Patrick encountered harsh treatment and pagan Druids. Patrick later escaped and returned home, but only to complete his training to become and priest and bishop. Patrick asked permission of the Pope to return to Ireland to bring the gospel to the pagans and peasants who were suffering. Patrick's mission brought peace and safety to the beleaguered Irish and ultimately the King converted, leading his people to a new hope. Ireland became a center of learning and culture and instituted the exemplary Brehon court system, a model for legal justice. Here are activities to explore this beloved saint. St. Patrick's Day Free Printables

Free Printable Presidents Day Activities for Kids

Presidents Day is celebrated the third Monday in February. It commemorates the lives to two great American Commanders-in-Chief (one of the President of the United State's many titles): George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The day coincides with Lincoln's birthday on Feb.12 and Washington's birthday on Feb. 22. Teaching a unit U.S. presidents or looking for Presidents Day activities? Here are free printable worksheets, lesson plans, crafts, games and coloring pages.  Free Printable Presidents Day Worksheets, Activities

Free Thanksgiving Day Crafts and Holiday Printables

Tis the season for Turkey and cranberries. I can smell the stuffing and apple pie already! Ready for some fun Thanksgiving Day fun? Here are free Thanksgiving lesson plans and crafts that focus on fall, harvest, native Americans and pilgrims. Oh and of course, turkeys! Click here for Thanksgiving pilgrims crafts, lesson plans, games, activities and  printables. I did say free and printable. No need to spend big money on Thanksgiving decorations! Use at home, school, work or church. Free Printable Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities

Free Printable Labor Day Coloring Pages and Lesson Plans

Labor Day was developed by labor unions as a day to recognize the achievements and contributions of organized labor as well as the efforts of every working person in the United States. As with most holidays and celebration, Labor Day has come to be known as the last party day before school starts. And every holiday must have it's fun and games, right? Here are several websites which offer free printable coloring pages, games, puzzles and party decorations. For those who want to explore the more educational aspect of Labor Day, I listed some links and websites with free printable lesson plans and activities as well.  Labor Day Lesson Plans 

Free Printable 4th of July Cut and Paste Paper Crafts and Activities

Celebrate 4th of July or Independence Day with these free printable paper crafts and activities. Use for party activities and boredom busters while you prepare the picnic. Kids can make them indoors or outdoors. If the weather is too hot or too cold and rainy, kids will love creating these fun patriotic crafts. Use them to decorate the house for 4th of July. Here are websites with loads of free printable activities for cut and paste, coloring fun. Read more at  4th of July Cut and Paste Paper Crafts and Activities 

Free Printable Presidents Day Coloring Pages, Activities, Lessons,Games

Looking for great free printable President's Day lessons, activities, coloring pages? I wrote this article for 4th of July, but the activities will work for President's Day, too. These American patriotic feature lessons on many presidents including George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln. Here are free printable games, coloring pages, homeschool and classroom activities to enjoy. Use as party invitations, party games and party decorations. Use these free printables in conjunction with my other 4th of July backyard articles. Read more at Free Printable Presidents Day Coloring and Games

Free Printable Thanksgiving Puzzles and Word Games

Free Printable Thanksgiving Party Puzzles and Word Games When I think of Thanksgiving holiday parties, I think of food, family and how richly blessed I am. I also remember past Thanksgiving celebrations with my family at home and with students in various classrooms. I've always linked curriculum in my classroom to the current season or holiday. Around Thanksgiving, we study American history, exploration, settlement, religions, native American cultures and early technology. At our holiday parties, we play seasonal themed games. Great learning experiences! Fun (instead of boring) history lessons! Win-win. Read more

Free Printable Columbus Day Activities

Free Printable Columbus Day Activities Although there is speculation about the exact location that Christopher Columbus landed, and that he was not the first to see the Americas, Columbus was the first to record and create early maps of what he found. Columbus Day is the perfect time for students to explore the history, science, math and culture surrounding Columbus's voyage with these free printable lesson plans. These lesson work for special needs students, general education students and are ideal for homeschool students. I've weeded out links that require user ID or password. Click here

Free Printable Memorial Day Lesson Plans

Free Printable Memorial Day Lesson Plans: Hands-On Cross-Curricular Unit Memorial Day is a holiday rich in social and historical significance. All too often we educators lack the time to include a study of this holiday in our lesson plans. With the internet we have at our disposal, a wealth of resources for sharing information. Here are free printable social studies lessons for schools and home school. Read more

Free Printable Black History Month Lesson Plans and Activities

Carter G. Woodson created the idea of Black History Month in 1926, but it wasn't until 50 years later when the first February Black History Month was celebrated during the United States bicentennial. Here are free printable black history lessons. Click here

Free Printable Martin Luther King Jr. Day Lesson Plans and Activities

Martin Luther King Jr. the civil rights activist and minister who was martyred in the 1960's birthday is coming up on January 15. The United States remembers and celebrates his life and work on the third Monday in January. January 16 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day for 2013. It's also Inauguration Day for President Barack Obama and falls directly on MLK Jr. birthday. What a nice b-day present for this heroic man. Here are free printable lessons and activities to explore MLK Jr. Day. Click here

Free Printable Veterans Day Activities

Free Printable Veterans Day Activities November 11: Veterans Day or Armistice Day, celebrates the end of World War One in Europe. Armistice is the laying down of arms in battle. Explore the history and significance of Veterans Day with free printable activities. Read More

Free Printable World War One and World War Two Lesson Plans for Veteran's Day

Free Printable World War I, WWII Activities Free printable military and World War history activities. Soldiers, vehicles, uniforms, battles, campaigns. Print coloring pages, battle maps, worksheets, games, puzzles, vocabulary crosswords, charts and fill-in the blank diagrams. Everything teachers and homeschool families need for a complete unit on World War 1 or World War 2.  Read More

Free Printable Veterans Day Lesson Plans, War History Activities

Free Printable Veterans Day, American Histor Lesson Plans: War History  Activities Veteran's Day is celebrated on November 11, the end of World War One on November 11, 1918. Veterans Day honors those who served in the military. Here are free printable lesson plans on war history, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korea and American military. Read More

Free Printable Native American Indian Totem Pole Designs and Patterns

Free Printable Native American Indian Totem Pole Designs and Coloring Pages When I was six my family moved to Haines, Alaska. We lived with a clan of the Tlinget Native American Indians. Autumn and back to school are great times to explore Native American Indian culture. Here are free printable totem pole design templates. Read More