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Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources

Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th, and runs through October 15th. This year’s theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America. The celebration starts on September 15th because that was the day that many Central American countries gained their independence. Like many of our month-long celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968. ย In 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared that Hispanic Heritage would now be celebration over the course of a month, starting on September 15th. To learn about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out Hispanic Heritage Month Unboxed. ย In…

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The Royal Game of Goose: Boards & Bones Sneak Preview!

The Royal Game of Goose: Boards & Bones Sneak Preview! At History Unboxedยฎ, we believe that beings “hands-on” with history is the best way to learn. ย And what better way to be hands on than to play historic board games? Board games can be chance, skill, or a combination of both. They are also educational and many historic games are thought to teach life lessons or skills. Games have been played in all cultures, time periods, and lands. In fact, they were so important that many cultures preserved both game boards and game pieces in tombs for their inhabitants to…

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Sneak Peak: Native Alaska Unboxed

Sneak Peak: Native Alaska Unboxed In this blog post we are going to give you a sneak peak at our upcoming Native Alaska Unboxed, planned to release in early fall. In this box, we have focused on the Native Alaskan people who were spread across the habitable regions of what is now Alaska prior to 1750. You’ll learn about these different groups, explore their art and culture, understand the importance of animals, and learn terminology specific to Native Alaskans. Looking for more on the Indigenous people of Americas? All of our American History boxes include Indigenous history reviewed by Indigenous…

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History Camp: On the Road

History Camp: On the Road! We are about halfway through summer and there are still places to go and people to see! There are many fun things that you can do not only augment all of that learning you’ve done over the past year and give a leg up for the upcoming year, but can make those long hours on the road fun. Read on for some fun things to do in the car, plane, or train whether your trip is long or short! Be sure to also check out Check out History Unboxedยฎ coloring books. Available in both paper…

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History Camp: Rainy Day Learning

I don’t know where you all live, but here in the northeast United States, its been raining. ย A LOT. There are only so many rainy day hikes and splashing in puddles in that my kids want to do, so I’ve been on the hunt for some indoor activities that are fun for them and will also support their learning. Read on for some ideas from History Camp, rainy day edition! Did you pick up one of our three-box history camp bundles? We have bundles for Ancient History, Middle Ages, and American History! This post will predominantly give ideas for the…

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The HUB: Bringing History & Community to Life

Get ready to go on a journey back in time with Old Town Warrentonโ€™s brand-new history maker space. Experience the past through art, historical technology, games, stories, music, and more. See how technology has evolved from hand tools to cutting-edge technology like 3D printers.ย  Our community space will welcome all ages through events such as book clubs, historic board games, story times, cosplay and hands-on classes, and guest teachers. History Unboxedยฎ recently announced a round of crowdfunding for $20,000. These funds will be used to create a community space called The HUB for kids and teens in Old Town Warrenton.…

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Historical Research: Wikipedia

This week we are starting a new series on historical research. In this blog post we will focus on historical research using Wikipedia, and its strengths and weaknesses. This post is by Stephanie Hanson, History Unboxed’sยฎ Creative Director. When I was majoring in history, I had to write a senior thesis. The course was called โ€œ1968โ€ and my topic had to center around major events that took place in that year. I knew I wanted to write about the American Indian Movement, but had zero background knowledge other than their occupation of Alcatraz Island. My research required primary sources and…

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Why It’s Important to Teach Asian American & Pacific Island History All Year Long

As this year’s Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month comes to a close, History Unboxedยฎ is bringing you a guest blog post by Rachel Juliette on the importance of teaching Asian & Pacific Islander history, not just during the month of May, but the whole year through.   The U.S. has always had deep ties with Asia, but most schools donโ€™t discuss this in depth. Professor Sohyun An of Kennesaw State University tells TIME that Asians were part of the United States before many white European immigrants came to the country. Unfortunately, most K-12 American history texts barely discuss this…

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A History of Memorial Day: Celebrating those Who Died in Battle

Did you know that Memorial Day wasn’t always called Memorial Day? If you ask your parents or grandparents they might remember the holiday ย being called Decoration Day. It wasn’t until 1967 that the holiday became officially known as Memorial Day. It was established as a federal holiday on May 13th, 1938 and is celebrated on the last Monday in May. In this blog post we’ll talk about the history of Memorial Day and its origins in Decoration Day, and some ways that people celebrate the holiday that carry on the original spirit of honoring those who died in military service.…

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Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month in the United States. It is a time for “hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds [to] [join] together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day.” In this blog post we’ll talk about the history of Jewish American Heritage Month, the history of the first Jewish community in New Amsterdam (later New York), ย and share some educational resources and activities for your learners. Despite the first Jewish community in North America forming in 1654, a commemorative month-long celebration…

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History of Languages in the Philippines by Pia Villanueva-Pulido

In celebration of Asian-American & Pacific Islander History Month, we are bringing you a special guest blog post on the history of language in the Philippines by Pia Villanueva-Pulido! Piaย  is an award-winning English and Humanities educator for the Gifted and Talented, a storyteller, a published freelance writer, and childrenโ€™s author. She was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in Texas, and she calls herself a “Texapina” because she considers both Texas and the Philippines as her home. She lives in Dallas with her husband, her daughter, and her soul dog Mugsy. Take your Asian-American & Pacific Islander History…

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Plymouth Rock

In this blog post we are going to talk about the history of Plymouth Rock, the mythological stepping stone upon which the Pilgrims first stepped when they landed in the New World. To learn more about the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, and the Indigenous Wampanoag People check out Plymouth Unboxed or Thanksgiving Unboxed downloadable lesson. I don’t know about you, but when I think about the Mayflower pilgrims landing in New England, I picture them stepping out of their ship and onto on a big rock, looking around and surveying the new world. But, like most mythologies, thats not exactly how…

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What was the Viking Revival? + Viking Resources

In this blog post, we are sharing 19th-century architecture, music, and art that were inspired by increased interest in the Vikings, often called the Viking Revival, as well as some learning resources to enhance your Vikings hands-on learning kit. Are you looking for more Middle Ages hands-on activities? Check out our Anglo-Saxon box! As you’ve been learning in Vikings Unboxed, the people who we call Vikings today did not call themselves ‘Vikings’ but rather Ostman, meaning ‘east men,’ Norsemen, and Danes. There’s a lot of uncertainty about where the term ‘Viking’ came from, and you can read about the one…

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Learning Resources for Ancient Pompeii

I donโ€™t know about you, but when I think about what the city of Pompeii looked like immediately after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, I envision a city completely buried by ash and dirt. But the city wasnโ€™t completely buried, and tops of houses, sculptures, and other artifacts would have been poking up out of the dirt, giving those returning after the eruption a guide for where to dig. Survivors and grave robbers returning to the covered city after the eruption was over dug and tunneled in to get personal items and steal valuables. While the city…

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A Brief History of April Fools’ Day!

Would it surprise you to learn that April Fools’ Day, celebrated every year on April 1, has been celebrated for thousands of years in many countries and communities around the world? Today, April Fools’ Day is generally celebrated as a day of mischievous and (hopefully) harmless pranks put on by both individuals and mass media, but it hasn’t always been that way. Let’s explore the mostly true history of April Fools’ Day. Want more info on calendars? Check out our Calendars Unboxed downloadable lesson. Ready to leave the winter behind and dive into some Spring learning? Check out Spring Unboxed…

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Women’s History Month Teatime

We are a little over halfway through Women’s History Month and here at History Unboxedยฎ we figured that it’s time for a Women’s History Month teatime. Check out the graphic below to learn about how Women’s History Month came to be. We’ve compiled a list of poetry and short readings we think lend themselves well to a Women’s History Month themed teatime. But first, the tea and snacks! Looking for more Women’s History Month lessons? Check out our 2023 Women’s History Month Downloadable Lesson! Legend has it that scones were first created in Scotland around 1500, and were quick breads…

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Roman numerals, The Ides of March, and the Roman Calendar

We’ve all heard the saying “Beware the Ides of March” right? The saying, from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, was said by a soothsayer warning the Emperor of the coming assassination. While we have no evidence that Caesar was actually warned ahead of time, the Ides of March has most famously become associated with that fateful day. ย While many people know that the Ides of March is the 15th of March, many don’t know what it actually meant and what its role in the Roman calendar was. ย Would it surprise you to know that the Ides of March was a sacred…

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African-American Poetry Teatime

Poetry teatime is a wonderful way for parents and children to connect – whether you are a homeschooling family or looking to spend time together after a day or school or work. This month is special because itโ€™s Black History Month and there is a rich history of poetry and verse that you can explore. Visit The Poetry Foundation for an extensive list of poems, podcasts, and other resources for Black voices. Support a Black-owned business like Green Heffa Farms or Just Add Honey (or google Black owned tea company) and get yourself some delicious tea and bake up some…

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Black History Month Teaching & Learning Resources

Black History Month is celebrated every year from February 1-March 1 in the United States & Canada. Did you know that Black History Month is also celebrated in other countries around the world like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands? ย They celebrate Black History Month in October but the mission is the same. ย In America, it is a month to remember that Black history is American history and to acknowledge the important contributions made by Black Americans in shaping the history and culture of America. ย If you’re looking for more in-depth study of Black History check out our downloadable…

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November Reading List: Native American Heritage Month & the History of Harvest Feasts

It’s November and here in the United States it’s Native American Heritage Month. ย Thanksgiving also takes place on the third Thursday of the month. This year, it’s on November 24th. ย The National Congress for American Indians describes Native American History Month: “The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways…

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Our Favorite Books for Festivals of the Dead!

No matter who we are, we all come into contact with death. People around the world have their own traditions to mourn and celebrate the loss of loved ones. Americans celebrate Halloween as a spooky day with monsters and creatures. Other celebrations of the dead around the world are quite different. Books are a great way to learn about other cultures and here are five of our favorites to learn about Festivals of the Dead around the world. Do you want to learn more about the History of Halloween and other Festivals of the Dead? Check out our Halloween Unboxed…

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Ancient Eats: An Edible Exploration of the World…coming soon to a bookseller near you!!

Go on a mouth watering journey through the ancient world with this family-friendly cookbook. Each of the more than 100 recipes is inspired by delicious historical dishes and adapted for ease of preparation in the modern kitchen.ย  Taste your way through 18 cultures as you feed your mind with mythical origins and the historical significance of food around the world and across tens of thousands of years. Make tamales like the Olmecs in Mesoamerica and curry like the people of the Indus Valley Civilization of India. Enjoy feasts, drinks, desserts, and simple snacks as you read about their ancient origins.…

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Would you like to be a part of our new publishing team? Our advanced readers get ebook previews, goodies, and a chance to review titles before they are available to the public. You can help us get the word out about History Unboxed titles by leaving reviews on our website, Amazon, and Goodreads.ย  To join our team, fill out the form below to subscribe to our Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) email list! Subscribe * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name Address Address Line 2 City State/Province/Region Postal / Zip Code Country USAAaland IslandsAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua And BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Saint…

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6 Episodes of Doctor Who for History Lovers

If you are searching for Doctor Who episodes for history lovers, you might be a Whovian. Just in case you donโ€™t know, a Whovian is a fan of Doctor Who, the wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey British sci-fi show.ย  As the Doctor travels through time and space, they often come into contact with famous historical figures or historical events on Earth.ย ย  What are your favorite episodes? Here are a few examples of Doctor Who episodes that you can tie into your history study:ย  Season 4: Episode 2: The Fires of Pompeii (79 AD/CE, Pompeii) The Doctor and his companion, Donna, travel back in…

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The Benefits of Hands-On History Activities

Why Choose Hands-On Learning for History? You might have ended up here because you were looking for hands-on history resources.ย  But have you ever thought about why this style of learning is so important? Sure, it’s fun. But is it effective? Short answer: Yes! Children learn better when they have hands-on interactionsย with learning materials. Students who learn through hands-on activities develop a deeper understanding of the material. They remember more facts when they use hands-on materials. When students use more than one of their senses, they are better at finding meaning. This helps them remember more. Multi-sensory experiences build neural…

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