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Teaching history in elementary school

bill up to a certain point. (Unless you really want to give your child a $100 dollar bill for writing a report on Benjamin Franklin.)
Biography
Have your children write and illustrate a short Biography on the persons' life. (This will also help writing skills!)
Play
If you have more than one child, have them work together to put together a dramatic play on the Famous person's life.


The Why: The importance of teaching your children about the famous people from history is the lessons we can learn from those people. Learning from their mistakes and successes will provide a battery of lessons from which your children will be able to draw on during their lives.
Questions Kids Ask:
"Who was __________'?"
Answer: Use the Teachable Moments ideas above to help them find out!

Voting:
Teachable Moments: As voting time comes around use the opportunity to talk to your children and teach them about the issues and offices being voted upon.
Research
Have your children help you research each candidate and discuss the pros and cons of that person being in a particular office.
Function of offices
Use the research you do together as a great way to teach the function of each office of government.
Issues
Discuss the issues being voted upon, many of which could change the way we live on a day-to-day basis. These conversations will naturally spawn discussion on your values and ethics, which are much better learned at home than at school or other places where any number of differing opinions are taught.
The Why: As the adage goes, if you don't vote, you can't complain about the outcome, and children at a young age can begin to learn what all is involved in making an informed decision on each of the issues. This will help your children to grow up as informed, responsible citizens.
Questions Kids Ask:
"Why don't you like _________?" (insert politician name)
Answer: Use this opportunity to reinforce those values that you want your children to have. Talk as openly as you feel comfortable about what it is that you don't like about the politician, and explain to them how to make an informed decision on whom to vote for.
Historic Novels:
Teachable Moments: Many children find it difficult to read through a history textbook, but would find the history interesting if it were made more alive for them. There are many options for historic novels that explain the history of the time, but make it more alive by putting characters in motion and telling a story.
The Why: Often these books help children understand


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