Teacher: Shanna Sellers
Target Age Group: 9- 14 years old | Class Duration: 60 Minutes
Course Description
In this course, students will discover America through the eyes of explorers, settlers, leaders, pioneers, and freedom seekers. Through stories, discussion, and hands-on activities, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the courage, faith, perseverance, and sacrifice that helped build the United States.
Format – Each lesson will begin with “story time” and be followed by discussion and an activity.
Objective: Students will understand how Squanto's knowledge, kindness, and unique life experiences helped the Pilgrims survive their first difficult year in America.
Activity Plant a small "Three Sisters" garden (corn, beans, and squash) or create a paper craft showing how the crops grow together. Discuss how helping others can change history.
Objective: Students will learn why George Washington became a trusted leader and how humility, perseverance, and integrity helped shape the new nation.
Activity: Create a simple "Commander-in-Chief" journal page where students write or draw one difficult decision Washington faced and explain what they would have done.
Objective: Students will discover how William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a place of religious freedom and peaceful cooperation.
Activity: Design a colony flag or create a "Welcome to Pennsylvania" travel brochure highlighting freedom, fair treatment, and peaceful living.
Objective Students will explore several personal stories from the Revolutionary War and understand how ordinary men, women, and children contributed to American independence.
Activity Choose one historical figure (such as Paul Revere, Sybil Ludington, Molly Pitcher, or Nathan Hale) to “become” and answer questions about their story in a “press conference”.
Objective: Students will learn how Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Territory and relied on teamwork, careful observation, and the help of Native Americans.
Activity: Create an explorer's notebook by drawing plants, animals, rivers, and landmarks as if traveling with the expedition.
Objective Students will understand how Frederick Douglass overcame slavery through determination and education and became a powerful voice for freedom and equality.
Activity Write letters to go with children’s book donations explaining the benefits of reading and learning.
Objective Students will learn why the defenders of the Alamo chose to stay and fight and how courage and sacrifice influenced the history of Texas.
Activity Build a simple model of the Alamo using mini marshmallows and toothpicks, then discuss what bravery means.
Objective Students will discover why families moved west and the challenges they faced while traveling across the frontier.
Activity Pack a covered wagon! Students get a list of twenty household items and choose only ten to take west. Discuss their choices and the difficult decisions pioneers made.