Liberty's Kids

I had parents video tape this series for me when I was teaching. I recently found a second hand copy of a book to pass on to a family member that is home schooling. While emailing her I decided to see if they had a website. Sure enough they do and I added it to the social studies section under American Revolution for future reference. However I will list it here as well in case you arrived her looking for it.

Liberty's Kids

Some have contacted me because I have not be updating this site frequently. In fact I have always intended this to be more of a resource site than an active blog. I generally just add the new resources to their categories. This allows me to find them easily and to share them with others who are looking for free resources. However, I also realize it is important to add a new entry once in a while.

If anyone is looking for specific resources please feel free to leave a comment. I am always happy to help.



Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Use Local Sources to Teach Kids about Government

I certainly encourage parents to teach children the structure of our government. There are some curriculum resources in the curriculum links to help you do that. I have included the link below. There is nothing more annoying than when our politicians from both parties misquote the Declaration of Independence for the Constitution. Even my fourth grade students used to ask me why adults did not know the difference between the two documents. So I certainly encourage parents to explore these issues with their children regardless of whether their children are taught at home or in school settings.

However, government can be an abstract concept for kids to understand. Many of the issues are distant and far away. Seeing government in action can be challenging. Local government is generally accessible for most people. Many selectman and city councilors are open to meeting with local constituents and future voters to discuss how government works. Scout groups often are one of the few groups that take advantage of the opportunity to meet with local politicians and learn how selectman and councilors make local government work. At the local level it is often a little less about party and more about issues that divide people. It is a chance for adults and children to learn about how local government really works.

Have you had questions for years about how your schools are financed? This can be the chance not only for you to learn but to educate your child about school boards and how they work together but separate from other governing boards in local cities and towns.

Not everyone is prepared to drive their children up to the state capital to see their local state representatives or to make appointments with their Federal Congressional representative or Senator. However, it is generally fairly simple to pick up the phone and make an appointment in your city or town to meet your councilor or selectman and to have a chance to get educated on local government. Especially with elections approaching you may find many willing to speak at home school groups or local schools about how local government works. Just ask.

Social Studies Links on this Site

Picture credit Svadilfari flickr.com

File Folder Games and Activities

Parents and educators are looking for easy inexpensive ways to promote alternate learning styles. Independent learning is another value and frankly required element of learning. Neither parent nor teacher can be with a child at all times assisting and monitoring. Activities that provide solid educational learning and independent structure are valuable for child and teacher. Computers do provide many with these activities but there still are some old but good strategies out there that work.
As I was researching links for the blog the other day, I came across links for file folder games and activities which I added to the blog under Early Childhood and Math sites. I thought this would be an ideal candidate for article for a content site I write for as well as a chance to encourage people to try the strategy. It really isn’t complicated to do. File folders are cheap methods to make game boards and independent learning activities. You can create your own resources or use the pre-made options advertised here.

Want to find the file folder links on this site?

Early Childhood File Folder Links

Math File Folders

Fall File Folder Links

Halloween File Folder Links

Thanksgiving File Folder Games

Christmas, Hanukkah,and Winter Games