For Kids
Format
Format
User Rating
User Rating
Release Date
Release Date
Date Added
Date Added
Language
Language
ebook
(1)
Heading West
Life with the Pioneers, 21 Activities
by Pat McCarthy
Part of the For Kids series
Tracing the vivid saga of Native American and pioneer men, women, and children, this guide covers the colonial beginnings of the westward expansion to the last of the homesteaders in the late 20th century. Dozens of firsthand accounts from journals and autobiographies of the era form a rich and detailed story that shows how life in the backwoods and on the prairie mirrors modern life in many ways children attended school and had daily chores, parents worked hard to provide for their families, and communities gathered for church and social events. More than 20 activities are included in this engaging guide to life in the west, including learning to churn butter, making dip candles, tracking animals, playing Blind Man's Bluff, and creating a homestead diorama.
ebook
(1)
Our Supreme Court
A History with 14 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
This lively and comprehensive activity book teaches young readers everything they need to know about the nation's highest court. Organized around keystones of the Constitution including free speech, freedom of religion, civil rights, criminal justice, and property rights the book juxtaposes historical cases with similar current cases. Presented with opinions from both sides of the court cases, readers can make up their own minds on where they stand on the important issues that have evolved in the Court over the past 200 years. Interviews with prominent politicians, high-court lawyers, and those involved with landmark decisions including Ralph Nader, Rudolph Giuliani, Mario Cuomo, and Arlen Specter show the personal impact and far-reaching consequences of the decisions. Fourteen engaging classroom-oriented activities involving violations of civil rights, exercises of free speech, and selecting a classroom Supreme Court bring the issues and cases to life. The first 15 amendments to the Constitution and a glossary of legal terms are also included.
ebook
(1)
Rightfully Ours
How Women Won the Vote, 21 Activities
by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Part of the For Kids series
Though the Declaration of Independence stated that all men are created equal, married women and girls in the early days of the United States had few rights. For better or worse, their lives were controlled by their husbands and fathers. Married women could not own property, and few girls were educated beyond reading and simple math. Women could not work as doctors, lawyers, or in the ministry. Not one woman could vote, but that would change with the tireless efforts of Lucretia Mott, Lucy Stone, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, Jeannette Rankin, Alice Paul, and thousands of women across the nation. Rightfully Ours tells of the century-long struggle for woman suffrage in the United States, a movement that began alongside the abolitionist cause and continued through the ratification of the 19th amendment. In addition to its lively narrative, this history includes a time line, online resources, and hands-on activities that will give readers a sense of everyday lives of the suffragists. Children will create a banner for suffrage, host a Victorian tea, feel what it was like to wear a corset, and more. In addition, through it all, readers will gain a richer appreciation for women who secured the right to participate fully in American democracy and why they must never take that right for granted.
ebook
(1)
John Audubon and the World of Birds for Kids
His Life and Works, with 21 Activities
by Michael Elsohn Ross
Part of the For Kids series
John James Audubon's passion for birds inspired a national movement to protect birds and their habitats.
As a child, John would often skip school to roam the countryside. He collected bird nests, unique stones, bits of moss, and other items of interest and developed his talent for creating dramatic bird portraits and skills for observing them in the wild.
Using his abilities as an acute observer, skilled writer, and exceptional artist, Audubon wrote and illustrated a book, Birds of America. Cataloging all these creatures took enormous time and effort-but even more difficult was finding a way to publish it. To make his book a reality he had to persuade wealthy investors to support his dream. The stories of his adventures pursuing the unique birds of the America captured the imagination of audiences.
Audubon became a larger-than-life figure and dubbed himself "the American Woodsman." Years after his death his artwork is still considered a major accomplishment that inspired a greater interest in American birdlife.
John Audubon and the World of Birds for Kids includes 21 hands-on activities and valuable resources for budding ornithologists hiking in his footsteps.
ebook
(1)
Ellis Island and Immigration for Kids
A History with 21 Activities
by Jean Daigneau
Part of the For Kids series
Ellis Island and Immigration for Kids explores all angles of immigration and its history in the United States.
Readers will learn about the establishment of Ellis Island and its forerunner, Castle Garden, as well as the western immigration station, Angel Island. Along with activities to further enrich kids' knowledge of immigration, this book gives its readers a thorough understanding of its impact on the United States from the earliest arrivals to today.
Activities include instructions on writing a letter home after a journey in steerage to graphing and comparing immigrant populations since the first US census in 1790. This book will help kids gain an appreciation of immigration's impact on the United States, as well as challenge them to reflect on their own feelings about this important issue.
Readers will broaden their understanding of issues that center on immigration with cross-curriculum activities, such as poetry and letter writing, graphing, and other math analyses.
ebook
(0)
Alexander Graham Bell for Kids
His Life and Inventions, with 21 Activities
by Mary Kay Carson
Part of the For Kids series
Alexander Graham Bell led a fascinating life. He was an immigrant, an inventor, a pioneering speech teacher, and a champion of educating the hearing impaired. Bell was raised by a mother who had nearly no hearing, married a deaf woman, and was lifelong friends with Helen Keller. Few people realize that Bell considered his work with the deaf the most important of his life. Quite a statement, considering Bell's inventions ranged from telephony and phonographs to airplanes and hydrofoil boats! Few remember that Bell was called to the bedside of fatally shot President Garfield in 1881 to use his newly-invented "telephonic probe" metal detector in the search for the embedded bullet. Nor do most know he was part of the Curtiss group of airplane inventors competing against the Wright brothers. The life of Alexander Graham Bell paralleled many of the most important discoveries and inventions of that era. This exciting biography includes science and history background on Bell's era, as well as sidebars and biographies of inventors and scientists who influenced-and competed with-him. Readers will build telegraphs, liquid transmitters, intercoms, metal detectors, and tetrahedral kites as they explore the science behind Bell's wide-ranging inventions.
ebook
(0)
The US Congress for Kids
Over 200 Years of Lawmaking, Deal-Breaking, and Compromising, with 21 Activities
by Ronald A. Reis
Part of the For Kids series
An interactive guidebook to the history and inner workings of the legislative branch of the U.S. Government. Providing a historical perspective on all that is going on today, US Congress for Kids examines the major milestones in congressional history, including the abolition of slavery, extending the vote to African Americans and to women, and investigating misconduct in both government and private institutions. Kids will be engaged by the focus on dramatic stories, personalities, and turning points while also benefitting from the clear discussions of Congressional purpose, structure, history, and ongoing issues. Educational, hands-on activities that illuminate the workings of the U.S. Congress include making a House ceremonial mace, creating congressional money, making a capitol dome, and designing a Congressional Medal of Honor.
ebook
(4)
Code Cracking for Kids
Secret Communications Throughout History, with 21 Codes and Ciphers
by Jean Daigneau
Part of the For Kids series
People throughout history have written messages in code and ciphers to guard and pass along closely held secret information. Today, countries around the world enlist cryptanalysts to intercept and crack messages to keep our world safe. Code Cracking for Kids explores many aspects of cryptology, including famous people who used and invented codes and ciphers, such as Julius Caesar and Thomas Jefferson; codes used during wars, including the Enigma machine, whose cracking helped the Allies gather critical information on German intelligence in World War II; and work currently being done by the government, such as in the National Security Agency. Readers also will learn about unsolved codes and ciphers throughout history, codes used throughout the world today, though not often recognized, and devices used over the years by governments and their spies to conceal information. Code Cracking for Kids includes hands-on activities that allow kids to replicate early code devices, learn several different codes and ciphers to encode and decode messages and hide a secret message inside a hollow egg.
ebook
(9)
Nikola Tesla for Kids
His Life, Ideas, and Inventions, with 21 Activities
by Amy M. O'Quinn
Part of the For Kids series
Nikola Tesla was a physicist, scientist, electrical engineer, and world-renowned inventor whose accomplishments faded into oblivion after his death in 1943. Tesla was undeniably eccentric and compulsive; some considered him to be somewhat of a "mad" scientist. But in reality, he was a visionary. Many of his ideas and inventions that were deemed impossible during his lifetime have since become reality. He was the first to successfully use rotating magnetic fields to create an AC (alternating current) electrical power supply system and induction motor. He is now acknowledged to have invented the radio ahead of Marconi. Among other things, he developed the Tesla coil, an oscillator, generators, fluorescent tubes, neon lights, and a small remote-controlled boat. He helped design the world's first hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls. Nikola Tesla for Kids is the story of Nikola Tesla's life and ideas, complete with a time line, 21 hands-on activities, and additional resources to better understand his many accomplishments.
ebook
(4)
George Washington Carver for Kids
His Life and Ideas, with 21 Activities
by Peggy Thomas
Part of the For Kids series
George Washington Carver was born into the violent era of slavery, yet he had big ideas. The first was to get an education. That meant leaving his Missouri home at a young age, washing people's clothes to pay for school, moving from town to town, and fleeing a lynch mob. Carver's second big idea was to serve others. After becoming the first black graduate from Iowa Agricultural College, Carver took a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute founded by Booker T. Washington. There he witnessed the miserable conditions of the poor Southern farmer. That's when his ideas began to flow. Carver taught farmers how to nourish the soil, conserve waste, and feed their families. He developed hundreds of new products from the sweet potato, peanut, and other crops, and his discoveries gained him a place in the national spotlight. Throughout the Jim Crow era, Carver toured America speaking about agriculture, but most people went away with a more important message: that every citizen has hidden potential that, like a seed, just needs nurturing to bloom. Many of Carver's ideas took a long time to develop, but today his concepts of conservation, zero waste, and plant-based products are on the cutting edge of science. George Washington Carver tells the inspiring story of this remarkable American scientist. It includes a time line, resources for further research, and 21 hands-on activities to better appreciate Carver's genius.
ebook
(4)
Baseball History for Kids
America at Bat from 1900 to Today, with 19 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
A fascinating journey through the history of America's favorite pastime With this interactive book, kids will discover how the game of baseball has changed over the years by reading about topics such as the dead ball era, World War II, segregation and integration, free agency, and the designated hitter. Along the way, young readers will enjoy quotes, stories, and amusing anecdotes from more than 175 former major leaguers and get an intimate look at the game's greatest legends-including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Mays. With the 21 included activities, children will learn how to calculate a player's batting average and ERA, throw a palmball, design a logo for their favorite team, cook a bowl of Cracker Jack, and more. A time line of the sport's history and lists of books, websites, and places to visit are also included.
ebook
(4)
Marie Curie for Kids
Her Life and Scientific Discoveries, with 21 Activities and Experiments
by Amy M. O'Quinn
Part of the For Kids series
Marie Curie, renowned for her work on radioactivity, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win in two fields (chemistry and physics), and the first woman to hold a chair position at the Sorbonne. Marie Curie for Kids details Curie's remarkable life, from her childhood under a repressive czar in Poland to her tireless work supporting herself through college to meeting her ideal match in scientist Pierre Curie to her revolutionary research. Kids learn how Curie quietly flouted societal norms, working in full partnership with her husband while also teaching and raising two daughters. Scientific concepts are presented in a clear, accessible way, and a range of activities - from making Polish pierogies to exploring magnetism to using electrolysis to split water- allow for exploration of Curie's life, times, and work.
ebook
(4)
Marine Science for Kids
Exploring and Protecting Our Watery World, Includes Cool Careers and 21 Activities
by Josh Hestermann
Part of the For Kids series
While including all the ocean animals kids love, Marine Science for Kids delves much deeper into the complete science of aquatic study, including geology, chemistry and biology in both salt- and freshwater environments-more accurately reflecting the real-world study and practice of aquatic science. Real-life marine scientists share what inspires them every day so kids can learn more about these exciting careers. Hands-on, cross-curricular activities in each chapter-including science experiments, arts and crafts, edible projects and group games-make learning fun.
ebook
(1)
Marine Science for Kids
Exploring and Protecting Our Watery World, Includes Cool Careers and 21 Activities
by Bethanie Hestermann
Part of the For Kids series
Do you ever dream of being a marine explorer or adventurer? Are you a fan of cool, cute, or creepy creatures? Then here's some good news: some of the coolest, cutest, and creepiest creatures live in Earth's oceans and other watery places. Marine Science for Kids is a colorful, fun, photo-filled guide to exploring our underwater world. In these pages, you'll delve deep into the science of aquatic study, including geology, chemistry, and biology in both salt- and freshwater environments, and gain insight into the real-world practice of aquatic science. You'll discover how and why oceans move, and learn the answers to questions such as "Why is the ocean blue?" You'll meet cool creatures, including sharks and rays, penguins and other seabirds, whales and dolphins, squids and octopuses, and many more. You'll uncover some of the most pressing challenges facing marine environments and find out how you can use your talents to make a difference. Real-life marine scientists share what inspires them every day and provide insights into their exciting careers. Hands-on activities in each chapter make learning fun. Kids can: make an edible coral reef; explore marine camouflage; construct a water-propelled squid; test methods of cleaning up an oil spill; experiment with ocean acidification; and much more.
ebook
(2)
Duke Ellington
His Life in Jazz with 21 Activities
by Stephanie Stein Crease
Part of the For Kids series
Celebrating one of the most influential figures in jazz, this comprehensive biography incorporates the legendary Duke Ellington's talents into engaging activities for children. Enlisting the musician's gifts as a pianist, composer, and bandleader, this interdisciplinary approach shows how to create a ragtime rhythm, make washtub bass, write song lyrics, dance the Lindy Hop, and even design an album cover. Exploring Ellington's life and career, this activity guide includes information on additional topics such as the Harlem Renaissance, the musical evolution of jazz, and how technology has changed over the years from piano rolls and record albums to CDs, television, and portable music devices. A time line, glossary, selected bibliography, and extensive resources including Ellington's greatest recordings, related websites, and recommendations for further study are also included.
ebook
(0)
Nellie Bly and Investigative Journalism for Kids
Mighty Muckrakers from the Golden Age to Today, with 21 Activities
by Ellen Mahoney
Part of the For Kids series
An interactive activity book that details the muckraking era Nellie Bly and Investigative Journalism for Kids brings to light the evolving world of American journalism, from the late 1800s to today. Focusing on the bold, audacious investigative reporter Nellie Bly, one of the most famous women in the world in her day, the book presents journalism in a fun, inventive, and exciting way. Budding reporters learn how Bly, who so desired to work in the male-dominated world of reporting, willingly feigned her own insanity to be committed to a mental asylum so she could go undercover and write about it. Providing a comprehensive look at early social reform writers and reporters who helped transform journalism, the book also introduces young readers to four famous American muckrakers-Jacob Riis, Ida Tarbell, Ida B. Wells, and Upton Sinclair-and concludes with a look at some of the modern era's most exciting and accomplished journalists. Twenty-one creative activities encourage a new generation to carry on the muckraking tradition as kids learn how to make and keep a reporter's notebook, write a letter to the editor, craft a "great ideas" box, and much more. Packed with compelling photos and interesting sidebars, Nelly Bly and Investigative Journalism for Kids will get young readers excited about the world of journalism and especially about writing.
ebook
(2)
Thomas Jefferson for Kids
His Life and Times with 21 Activities
by Brandon Marie Miller
Part of the For Kids series
Drawing heavily from the original letters and papers of Thomas Jefferson and his contemporaries, this resource chronicles the world of the Founding Father who wrote the Declaration of Independence. From his early critiques of the colonial policies of Great Britain and King George III to his governmental roles as the first secretary of state, the minister to France, and the third president of the United States, Jefferson's groundbreaking achievements are described in historical context. The contradictions in Jefferson's character most notably the fact that he owned 600 slaves in his lifetime despite penning the immortal phrase "all men are created equal" are also explored, giving kids a full picture of this skilled politician. Creative activities that invite children to experience Jefferson's colonial America include designing a Palladian window, building a simple microscope, painting a buffalo robe, and dancing a reel.
ebook
(1)
Texas History for Kids
Lone Star Lives and Legends, with 21 Activities
by Karen Bush Gibson
Part of the For Kids series
The larger-than-life story of the Lone Star State, encapsulating the 500-year saga of the one-of-a-kind state of Texas, this interactive book takes readers from the founding of the Spanish Missions and the victory at San Jacinto to the Great Storm that destroyed Galveston and the establishment of NASA's Mission Control in Houston while covering everything in between. Texas History for Kids includes 21 informative and fun activities to help readers better understand the states culture, politics, and geography. Kids will recreate one of the six national flags that have flown over the state, make castings of local wildlife tracks, design a ranchs branding iron, celebrate Juneteenth by reciting General Order Number 3, build a miniature Battle of Flowers float, and more. This valuable resource also includes a timeline of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study.
ebook
(4)
Elizabeth I, the People's Queen
Her Life and Times, 21 Activities
by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Part of the For Kids series
One of England's most fascinating monarchs is brought to life in this hands-on study for young minds. Combining projects, pictures, and sidebars with an authoritative biography, children will develop an understanding of the Reformation, Shakespearean England, and how Elizabeth's 45-year reign set the stage for the English Renaissance and marshaled her country into a chief military power. Providing 21 activities, from singing a madrigal and growing a knot garden to creating a period costume complete with a neck ruff and a cloak for the queen's court readers will experience a sliver of life in the Elizabethan age. For those who wish to delve deeper, a time line, online resources, and a reading list are included to aid in further study.
ebook
(3)
Rachel Carson and Ecology for Kids
Her Life and Ideas, with 21 Activities and Experiments
by Rowena Rae
Part of the For Kids series
Rachel Carson was an American biologist, conservationist, science and nature writer, and catalyst of the modern environmental movement. She studied biology in college at a time when few women entered the sciences, and then worked as a biologist and information specialist for the US government and wrote about the natural world for many publications. Carson is best remembered for her book Silent Spring, which exposed the widespread misuse of chemical pesticides in the United States and sparked both praise and fury.
Carson's personal life and scientific career were rooted in the study of nature. Using examples from Carson's life and works, Rachel Carson and Ecology for Kids will introduce readers to ecology concepts such as the components of ecosystems, adaptations by living things, energy cycles, food chains and food webs, and the balance of ecosystems. This lively biography includes a time line, resources, sidebars, and 21 hands-on activities that are sure to inspire the next generation of scientists, thinkers, leaders, agricultural producers, environmental activists, and world citizens. Kids will:
• Collect a seed bank of local plant species
• Chart bird migration through their region
• Make birdseed cookies
• Model bioaccumulation and bio magnification
• Build a worm farm
• And more!
ebook
(3)
Beethoven for Kids
His Life and Music with 21 Activities
by Helen Bauer
Part of the For Kids series
Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most influential composers of all time, is brought vividly to life and made relevant to today's young musicians in Beethoven for Kids. Children will learn about Beethoven's troubled childhood and family life, early gift and passion for music, volatile personality, championing of equality and freedom, and persistence in his work despite increasing hearing loss. The great musicians, thinkers, and movements of Beethoven's time, from Mozart and Haydn to the bold new ideas of the Enlightenment, are presented and their profound effect on the composer's life and music explained. Twenty-one engaging activities, including singing musical variations, dancing a Viennese waltz, creating an operatic diorama, and making a model eardrum, illuminate Beethoven's life, times, and work. A time line, a glossary, online resources, and recordings and reading lists for further listening and study round out this comprehensive resource.
ebook
(0)
The Apollo Missions for Kids
The People and Engineering Behind the Race to the Moon, with 21 Activities
by Jerome Pohlen
Part of the For Kids series
In 1961 President Kennedy issued a challenge to land a person on the moon and return safely to Earth before the end of the 1960s, a bold proclamation at the time, given that only one US astronaut had been to space, for just 15 minutes. The race to the moon was part of the larger Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, a race where the Russians appeared far ahead of the Americans. Apollo was a complicated, dangerous and expensive adventure involving 400,000 people across the nation. Before it was over, NASA had made 11 Apollo flights, six of which landed on the moon, and eight astronauts had lost their lives. But it was also fun, and the crews never missed a chance to enjoy the trip or pull off a prank 240,000 miles from home. The Apollo Missions for Kids tells the story from the perspective of those who lived it-the astronauts and their families, the controllers and engineers, the technicians and politicians who made the impossible possible.
ebook
(1)
Michelangelo for Kids
His Life and Ideas, with 21 Activities
by Simonetta Carr
Part of the For Kids series
Art historian Simonetta Carr draws on recent scholarship that challenges the traditional view of Michelangelo as a recluse. Readers will also learn about the complex and fluid era of the Italian Renaissance and how the times affected his life and work. Lavish photos, informative sidebars, a time line, glossary, and suggestions for further readings add value, while 21 hands-on activities help young readers identify with the artist and his work.
ebook
(0)
Polar Explorers for Kids
Historic Expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic with 21 Activities
by Maxine Snowden
Part of the For Kids series
Heroism and horror abound in these true stories of 16 great explorers who journeyed to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, two exquisite and unique ice wildernesses. Recounted are the exciting North Pole adventures of Erik the Red in 982 and the elusive searches for the Northwest Passage and Farthest North of Henry Hudson, Fridtj of Nansen, Fredrick Cook, and Robert Peary. Coverage of the South Pole begins with Captain Cook in 1772; continues through the era of land grabbing and the race to reach the Pole with James Clark Ross, Roald Amundsen, Robert Scott, and Ernest Shackleton; and ends with an examination of the scientists at work there today. Astounding photographs and journal entries, sidebars on the Inuit and polar animals, and engaging activities bring the harrowing expeditions to life. Activities include making a Viking compass, building a model igloo, making a cross staff to measure latitude, creating a barometer, making pemmican, and writing a newspaper like William Parry's Winter Chronicle. The North and South Poles become exciting routes to learning about science, geography, and history.
ebook
(4)
Marco Polo for Kids
His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities
by Janis Herbert
Part of the For Kids series
The Far East comes alive in this activity book centered on Marco Polo's journey to China from Venice along the 13th-century Silk Road. Kids will join Marco as he travels by caravan through vast deserts and over steep mountain ranges, stopping in exotic cities and humble villages, until at last he arrives at the palace of the Kublai Khan. Woven throughout the tale are 21 activities that highlight the diverse cultures Marco encountered along the way. Activities include making a mythical map, creating a mosaic, fun with Feng Shui, making paper, and putting on a wayang-kulit (shadow-puppet play). Just for fun, kids will learn a few words of Turkish, Persian, Mongol, Hindi, and Chinese. A complete resource section with magnificent museums and their Web sites invites kids to embark on their own expedition of discovery.
ebook
(5)
Chicago History for Kids
Triumphs and Tragedies of the Windy City Includes 21 Activities
by Owen Hurd
Part of the For Kids series
From the Native Americans who lived in the Chicago area for thousands of years, to the first European explorers Marquette and Jolliet, to the 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series win, parents, teachers, and kids will love this comprehensive and exciting history of how Chicago became the third largest city in the U.S. Chicago's spectacular and impressive history comes alive through activities such as building a model of the original Ferris Wheel, taking architectural walking tours of the first skyscrapers and Chicago's oldest landmarks, and making a Chicago-style hotdog. Serving as a guide to kids, their parents, and an engaging tool for teachers, this book details the first Chicagoan Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the Fort Dearborn Massacre, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the building of the world's first skyscraper, and the hosting of two Worlds Fairs. In addition to uncovering Windy City treasures such as the birth of the vibrant jazz era of Louis Armstrong and the work of Chicago poets, novelists, and songwriters, kids will also learn about Chicago's triumphant and tortured sports history.
ebook
(4)
Thomas Edison for Kids
His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities
by Laurie Carlson
Part of the For Kids series
Thomas Edison, one of the world's greatest inventors, is introduced in this fascinating activity book. Children will learn how Edison ushered in an astounding age of invention with his unique way of looking at things and refusal to be satisfied with only one solution to a problem. This book helps inspire kids to be inventors and scientists, as well as persevere with their own ideas. Activities allow children to try Edison's experiments themselves, with activities such as making a puppet dance using static electricity, manufacturing a switch for electric current, constructing a telegraph machine, manipulating sound waves, building an electrical circuit to test for conductors and insulators, making a zoetrope, and testing a dandelion for latex. In addition to his inventions and experiments, the book explores Edison's life outside of science, including his relationship with inventor Nikola Tesla, his rivalry with George Westinghouse, and his friendship with Henry Ford. A time line, glossary, and lists of supply sources, places to visit, and websites for further exploration complement this activity book.
ebook
(3)
Beyond the Solar System
Exploring Galaxies, Black Holes, Alien Planets, and More; A History with 21 Activities
by Mary Kay Carson
Part of the For Kids series
Tracing the evolution of humankind's pursuit of astronomical knowledge, this resource looks deep into the furthest reaches of space. Children will follow along as the realization that the Earth is not at the center of the universe leads all the way up to recent telescopic proof of planets orbiting stars outside the solar system. In addition to its engaging history, this book contains 21 hands-on projects to further explore the subjects discussed. Readers will build a three-dimensional representation of the constellation Orion, see how the universe expands using an inflating balloon, and construct a reflecting telescope out of a makeup mirror and a magnifying glass. It also includes small biographies of famous astronomers, a time line of major scientific discoveries, a glossary of technical terms, and dozens of full-color images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.
ebook
(2)
Africa for Kids
Exploring a Vibrant Continent, 19 Activities
by Harvey Croze
Part of the For Kids series
Africa is brought to life in this imaginative look at the plants, animals, and people that make it such a fascinating continent. Studies of both traditional tribes and modern African cities showcase Africa's diversity, and authentic activities allow kids to dive into the rich culture by making a Maasai bivouac shelter, writing a fable in the African style, working as a field biologist, making a ritual elephant mask, and learning to tie an African Kanga dress. This cross-cultural study also shows kids what challenges Africa faces today while giving them a look at what it is like to live on this interesting continent.
ebook
(6)
The Civil Rights Movement for Kids
A History with 21 Activities
by Mary C. Turck
Part of the For Kids series
Surprisingly, kids were some of the key instigators in the Civil Rights Movement, like Barbara Johns, who held a rally in her elementary school gym that eventually led to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court school desegregation decision, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was the first black student to desegregate elementary schools in New Orleans. In The Civil Rights Movement for Kids, children will discover how students and religious leaders worked together to demand the protection of civil rights for black Americans. They will relive the fear and uncertainty of Freedom Summer and learn how northern white college students helped bring national attention to atrocities committed in the name of segregation, and they'll be inspired by the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. Activities include: reenacting a lunch counter sit-in; organizing a workshop on nonviolence; holding a freedom film festival followed by a discussion; and organizing a choral group to sing the songs that motivated the foot soldiers in this war for rights.
ebook
(2)
Theodore Roosevelt for Kids
His Life and Times, 21 Activities
by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Part of the For Kids series
Hands-on activities and insightful historical information reveal the fascinating life of Theodore Roosevelt, Americas 26th president, who was also well known as a writer, a ranchman, a politician, a soldier, an explorer, and a family man. Combining a rich biography, including information about his childhood, with relevant and engaging projects, this book offers a glimpse at Roosevelt's work and time show a sickly, undersized boy grew into a physically fit, energetic, and courageous man; how his wealth did not shield him from human tragedy; how as a leader of a young, vigorous nation, he steered a middle course between big business and working-class needs; and how his love of nature led him to protect millions of acres for posterity. Readers will create a Native American toy, explore the effects of erosion, go on a modern big-game hunt with a camera, and make felted teddy bears. The text includes a time line, online resources, and a reading list for further study making this the ultimate reference on a great American president.
ebook
(6)
American Folk Art for Kids
With 21 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
Drawing on the natural folk art tendencies of children, who love to collect buttons, bottle caps, shells, and Popsicle sticks to create beautiful, imperfect art, this activity guide teaches kids about the history of this organic art and offers inspiration for them to create their own masterpieces. The full breadth of American folk art is surveyed, including painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and textiles from the 17th century through today. Making bubblegum wrapper chains, rag dolls, bottle cap sculptures, decoupage boxes, and folk paintings are just a few of the activities designed to bring out the artist in every child. Along the way, kids learn about the lives of Americans throughout history and their casual relationships to everyday art as they cut stencils, sew needlepoint samplers, draw calligraphy birds, and design quilts. Important folk artists such as the last surviving Shakers, the legendary Grandma Moses, and the Reverend Howard Finster are also explored in sidebars throughout the book.
ebook
(6)
Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration for Kids
With 21 Activities
by Ronald A. Reis
Part of the For Kids series
Taking a comprehensive, nuanced, and inclusive approach to Christopher Columbus, this illuminating biography with activities for young readers places him in the context of the explorations that came before, during, and after his lifetime. It portrays the Admiral of the Ocean Seas neither as hero nor heel, but as a flawed and complex man whose significance is undeniably monumental. Providing kids, parents, and teachers with a fuller picture of the seafaring life and the dangers and thrills of exploration, author Ronald Reis details all four of Columbus's voyages to the New World, not just his first, and describes the year that Columbus spent stranded on the island of Jamaica without hope of rescue. A full chapter is devoted to painting a more complete and complex portrait of the indigenous peoples of the New World and another to the consequences of Columbus's voyages the exchange of diseases, ideas, crops, and populations between the New World and the Old. Engaging cross-curricular activities, such as taking nautical measurements, simulating a hurricane, making an ancient globe, and conducting silent trade, elucidate nautical concepts introduced and the times in which Columbus lived.
ebook
(0)
The Underground Railroad for Kids
From Slavery to Freedom with 21 Activities
by Mary Kay Carson
Part of the For Kids series
The heroic struggles of the thousands of slaves who sought freedom through the Underground Railroad are vividly portrayed in this powerful activity book, as are the abolitionists, free blacks, and former slaves who helped them along the way. The text includes 80 compelling firsthand narratives from escaped slaves and abolitionists and 30 biographies of "passengers," "conductors," and "stationmasters," such as Harriet Tubman, William Still, and Levi and Catherine Coffin. Interactive activities that teach readers how to navigate by the North Star, write and decode a secret message, and build a simple lantern bring the period to life. A time line, reading list, glossary, and listing of web sites for further exploration complete this activity book. The Underground Railroad for Kids is an inspiring story of brave people compelled to act in the face of injustice, risking their livelihoods, their families, and their lives in the name of freedom.
ebook
(3)
The White House for Kids
A History of a Home, Office, and National Symbol, with 21 Activities
by Katherine L. House
Part of the For Kids series
An intriguing, in-depth look at the most famous home in the United States, this kid-friendly activity book educates young readers on the White House. Blending facts from numerous primary sources with engaging anecdotes from learning that George Washington never actually slept in the White House and Abraham Lincoln never slept in the Lincoln Bedroom to how Gerald Ford's daughter Susan held her high school prom in the White House this book provides the complete story of the presidents home. Details on the many changes, updates, renovations, and redecorations that have occurred over the years are featured as well as a look at the daily lives of the White House's inhabitants, including past presidents and their families along with the enormous staff that makes the White House run smoothly. This rich history is packed with an assortment of cross-curricular activities that allow readers to walk in the footsteps of presidents they can play key passages of Hail to the Chief, practice signing a bill into law, make a White House punch, and re-create an aerobic game designed for President Hoover making it a perfect book for any young mind with an interest in the White House or American history.
ebook
(4)
Mark Twain for Kids
His Life & Times, 21 Activities
by R. Kent Rasmussen
Part of the For Kids series
Nineteenth-century America and the world of Samuel L. Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, come to life as children journey back in time with this history- and literature-laden activity book. The comprehensive biographical information explores Mark Twain as a multi-talented man of his times, from his childhood in the rough-and-tumble West of Missouri to his many careers as a steamboat pilot, printer, miner, inventor, world traveler, businessman, lecturer, newspaper reporter, and most important, author and how these experiences influenced his writing. Twain-inspired activities include making printers type, building a model paddlewheel boat, unmasking a hoax, inventing new words, cooking cornpone, planning a newspaper, observing people, and writing maxims. An extensive resource section offers information on Twains classics, such as Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as well as a listing of recommended web sites to explore.
ebook
(3)
Galileo for Kids
His Life and Ideas, 25 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
Galileo, one of history's best-known scientists, is introduced in this illuminating activity book. Children will learn how Galileo's revolutionary discoveries and sometimes-controversial theories changed his world and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and physics. This book will inspire kids to be stargazers and future astronauts or scientists as they discover Galileo's life and work. Activities allow children to try some of his theories on their own, with experiments that include playing with gravity and motion, making a pendulum, observing the moon, and painting with light and shadow. Along with the scientific aspects of Galileo's life, his passion for music and art are discussed and exemplified by period engravings, maps, and prints. A time line, glossary, and listings of major science museums, planetariums, and web sites for further exploration complement this activity book.
ebook
(0)
Friends of the Earth
A History of American Environmentalism with 21 Activities
by Pat McCarthy
Part of the For Kids series
The history of American environmentalism is the history of men and women who dedicated their lives to protecting the nation's natural heritage. Almost singlehandedly, John James Audubon introduced the study of birds in North America. John Muir pushed a president and a nation into setting aside vast preserves, including Yosemite, Sequoia, Mt. Rainier, and the Grand Canyon. Marjory Stoneman Douglas did the same for the Florida Everglades, as did Mardy Murie with the Grand Tetons and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Cordelia Stanwood, and later Roger Peterson, revolutionized and popularized bird watching. Rachel Carson opened the world's eyes to the dangers of pesticides, and Julia Butterfly Hill saved a 1,000-year-old redwood while bringing to light the devastation of our old growth forests. Together, these environmentalists' inspiring life stories tell the story of American environmentalism, from its inception to the present day. In Friends of Our Earth, readers will also learn how to put their concerns into action. Author Pat McCarthy gives step-by-step instructions on how to build a birdfeeder, conduct a water quality survey, start a compost pile, study the Greenhouse Effect, make plaster casts of animals tracks, create their own recycled paper, test for acid rain, and more. It includes a time line of historic milestones, popular outdoor parks, and sites to visit or explore online, and Web resources for further study.
ebook
(5)
Harry Houdini for Kids
His Life and Adventures with 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions
by Laurie Carlson
Part of the For Kids series
From his impoverished childhood to his feat of becoming one of the most successful entertainers of all time, this fascinating biography presents a memorable portrait of magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Guidelines for 21 fun magic tricks are also provided, including how to stick a needle into a balloon without popping it, how to step through a note card, and how to make a coin vanish. Illustrating the science and logic behind many of Houdini's most notable acts, the magic-based activities also explain his famous Milk Can Escape through an accessible water displacement experiment and demonstrate simple mathematics with his Odd Number Trick. Touching on his time as an actor, an aviator, and possibly even a spy for the U.S. government, this thoroughly entertaining biography also features a time line, curriculum links for educators, and books and websites for further exploration.
ebook
(3)
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Their Lives and Ideas, 24 Activities
by Carol Sabbeth
Part of the For Kids series
Children will find artistic inspiration as they learn about iconic artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in these imaginative and colorful activities. The art and ideas of Kahlo and Rivera are explored through projects that include painting a self-portrait Kahlo-style, creating a mural with a social message like Rivera, making a Day of the Dead ofrenda, and crafting an Olmec head carving. Vibrant illustrations throughout the book include Rivera's murals and paintings, Kahlo's dreamscapes and self-portraits, pre-Columbian art and Mexican folk art, as well as many photographs of the two artists. Children will learn that art is more than just pretty pictures; it can be a way to express the artist's innermost feelings, a source of everyday joy and fun, an outlet for political ideas, and an expression of hope for a better world. Sidebars will introduce children to other Mexican artists and other notable female artists. A time line, listings of art museums and places where Kahlo and Rivera's art can be viewed, and a list of relevant websites complete this cross-cultural art experience.
ebook
(2)
The Wright Brothers for Kids
How They Invented the Airplane, 21 Activities Exploring the Science and History of Flight
by Mary Kay Carson
Part of the For Kids series
This activity book tells the amazing true story of how two bicycle-making brothers from Ohio, with no more than high-school educations, accomplished a feat that forever changed the world. At a time when most people still had not ridden in an automobile, Wilbur and Orville Wright built the first powered, heavier-than-air flying machine. Woven throughout the heartwarming story of the two brothers are activities that highlight their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities as they overcame many obstacles to achieve controlled flight. The four forces of flight lift, thrust, gravity, and drag and how the Wright brothers mastered them are explained in clear, simple text. Activities include making a Chinese flying top, building a kite, bird watching, and designing a paper glider, and culminate with an activity in which readers build a rubber-band-powered flyer. Included are photographs just released from the Wright brother's personal collection, along with diagrams and illustrations. The history of human flight and its pioneers, a time line, and a complete resource section for students are also provided.
ebook
(3)
Charting the World
Geography and Maps from Cave Paintings to GPS with 21 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
Maps have been a part of human culture since the days of scratching on cave walls, and this richly illustrated history chronicles the road from simple diagrams used to avoid danger to the complex, navigational charts used today. Displaying an array of historic atlases and a variety of cartography styles, this book allows young readers to test their map-reading skills while discovering the intricate beauty and the wealth of information held within. Geographical concepts are spotlighted through an assortment of guided activities including finding the elevation of hills, plotting a course with a magnetic compass, creating three-dimensional land models using a contour map, and performing a plot survey. Drawing the conclusion that the study of geography and maps is crucial to understanding an ever-changing planet, this handbook discloses the ways in which technological advances in cartography can further discussions on climate change, warfare, environmental conservation, population growth, and other timely topics.
ebook
(1)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt for Kids
His Life and Times with 21 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's enduring legacy upon the history, culture, politics, and economics of the United States is introduced to children in this engaging activity book. Kids will learn how FDR, a member of one of the founding families of the New World, led the nation through the darkest days of the Great Depression and World War IIas32nd U.S. President. This book examines the Roosevelt family including famous cousin Teddy Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt as well as FDRs early political career and subsequent 12 years in office during some of the most fascinating and turbulent times in American history. Interspersed throughout are first-hand accounts from the people who knew FDR and remember him well. Children will also learn how his personal struggles with polio and his physical disability strengthened FDR's compassion and resolve. In addition, kids will explore Roosevelt's entire era through such hands-on activities as staging a fireside chat, designing a WPA-style mural, sending a double encoded message, hosting a swing dance party, and participating in a political debate.
ebook
(1)
Lighthouses for Kids
History, Science, and Lore with 21 Activities
by Katherine L. House
Part of the For Kids series
Bringing to life an era when rivers, lakes, and oceans were the nation's highways and lighthouses served as traffic signals and maps, this comprehensive reference provides children with an in-depth history of lighthouses and firsthand stories of the challenges faced by lighthouse keepers. Filled with engaging activities such as learning how to tie a bowline knot and building a model lighthouse, this unique book also includes a field guide to U.S. lighthouses, places to visit, a time line, glossary, websites to explore, and a reading list for further study.
ebook
(0)
Verdi for Kids
His Life and Music with 21 Activities
by Helen Bauer
Part of the For Kids series
Giuseppe Verdi dominated Italian opera for 50 years, and his operas are performed throughout the world today. Verdi for Kids offers young readers an accessible, behind-the-scenes peek into the exciting world of opera and traces Verdi's path to fame, delving into the great composer's childhood, musical training, family tragedies, and professional setbacks and successes. Kids also learn about the Italians passion for opera and Italy's tumultuous past, key political figures, and cultural pastimes. Aspiring sopranos, baritones, musicians, conductors, and stage directors will learn about opera jobs and production, what happens at rehearsal, and music terms and vocabulary, gaining an understanding of operas rich tradition. Offering a time line, glossary, and list of additional resources, Verdi for Kids is an engaging resource for students, parents, and teachers. Fun hands-on activities illuminate both the music concepts introduced and the times in which Verdi lived.
ebook
(3)
George Washington for Kids
His Life and Times with 21 Activities
by Brandon Marie Miller
Part of the For Kids series
George Washington comes alive in a fascinating activity book that introduces the leader to whom citizens turned again and again to lead them through eight long years of war, to guide them as they wrote a new Constitution, and to act as the new nations first executive leader. Children will learn how, shortly after his death in 1799, people began transforming George Washington from a man into a myth. However, Washington was a complex individual who, like everyone, had hopes and fears, successes and failures. In his early 20s, for instance, Washington's actions helped plunge Great Britain and France into war. He later fought for liberty and independence, yet owned slaves himself (eventually freeing them in his will). This book weaves a rich tapestry of Washington's life, allowing kids to connect with his story in 21 hands-on projects based on his experiences and the times in which he lived. Children will learn how to tie a cravat, write with a quill pen, follow animal tracks, sew a lady's cap, plant a garden, roll a beeswax candle, play a game of Quoits, and make a replica of Washington's commander-in-chief flag. The text includes a time line, glossary, websites, travel resources, and a reading list for further study.
ebook
(1)
Archaeology for Kids
Uncovering the Mysteries of Our Past, 25 Activities
by Richard Panchyk
Part of the For Kids series
This activity book features 25 projects such as making a surface survey of a site, building a screen for sifting dirt and debris at a dig, tracking soil age by color, and counting tree rings to date a find, teaches kids the techniques that unearthed Neanderthal caves, Tutankhamun's tomb, the city of Pompeii, and Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire. Kids will delight in fashioning a stone-age tool, playing a seriation game with old photographs of cars, reading objects excavated in their own backyards, and using patent numbers to date modern artifacts as they gain an overview of human history and the science that brings it back to life.
ebook
(2)
Frederick Douglass for Kids
His Life and Times, with 21 Activities
by Nancy I. Sanders
Part of the For Kids series
Few Americans have had as much impact on this nation as Frederick Douglass. Born on a plantation, he later escaped slavery and helped others to freedom via the Underground Railroad. In time, he became a bestselling author, an outspoken newspaper editor, a brilliant orator, a tireless abolitionist, and a brave civil rights leader. He was famous on both sides of the Atlantic in the years leading up to the Civil War, and when war broke out, Abraham Lincoln invited him to the White House for counsel and advice. Frederick Douglass for Kids follows the footsteps of this American hero, from his birth into slavery to his becoming a friend and confidant of presidents and the leading African American of his day. In addition, to better appreciate Frederick Douglass and his times, readers will form a debating club, cook a meal similar to the one Douglass shared with John Brown, make a civil war haversack, participate in a micro lending program, and more. This valuable resource also includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and Web resources for further study.