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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.  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 interactions 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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Native American Heritage Month Teaching Resources

November is Native American Heritage Month.  In our American history boxes, we talk about the role of Native Americans in every box.  It’s only right. We need to talk about Native American history all year long, but next month is a perfect time of year to do a deep dive. Here are some resources for appropriate and respectful study.  Discussing appropriate terminology:  When discussing Native American cultures, it is always best to use the specific name of the group or nation you are talking about.  If you are discussing multiple groups, preferences vary.  There is no single answer to which…

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5 Ways to Bring History to Life in Your Homeschool

Are you looking for ways to bring the study of history alive in your homeschool?  Hands-on learning sparks student engagement and motivation. As homeschool parents, we love anything that brings kids to the table ready to learn! Read on for five fantastic ways to make history exciting for your learners through hands-on learning.FoodMaking and eating rock candyEveryone eats!  Make the people of the past more relatable by sampling some of their favorite dishes.  Sample fruits and vegetables native to the region you are studying.  Visit a restaurant featuring the cuisine of the country you are studying. Search for traditional recipes and…

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The History of Valentine’s Day!

Contributed by guest author, Grace Sammons Vintage engraving Amour tire de l’Almanach des Muses de 1807 (Love pulls from the Almanac of the Muses of 1807) As we enter the season of rose bouquets and heart-shaped candies, I thought it’d be interesting to share the not-so-lovely story about how Cupid’s holiday came to be what it is today. The history of Valentine’s day is a bit patchy, with not a whole lot of specific details, but the story is definitely worth a share. So, to start out this story, let’s journey back to 269-270 A.D. during the reign of Roman…

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