Invisible Ink

Invisible Ink

One way to send secret messages during the Revolutionary War was to use invisible ink.
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A Monumental History

A Monumental History

From Reconstruction

Monuments designed to honor places, events, or people stand in public places across the United States. Some, such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Statue of Liberty, are classic icons. Others, such as the 2,000-pound African Killer Bee located in Hidalgo, Texas, are less than traditional. Monuments are often controversial. What is honorable to one person may be offensive to another. Also, the meanings of monuments change as the culture around them evolves. What do...

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Does Racial Inequality Exist in Your School?

Does Racial Inequality Exist in Your School?

From Changing Laws

It can sometimes be hard to recognize racial inequality when it doesn’t directly affect you. Take a look at the statistics relating to your own school and see if anything surprised you.

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Listen!

Listen!

From Singing for Equality

Music of the Civil Rights Era arose from several different styles of music, most notably gospel, folk, blues, and jazz. What did these different styles offer? How did they combine to form music that was completely new?

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Planning a Boycott

Planning a Boycott

From Boycotts, Strikes, and Marches

Segregated buses and trains were only one of the ways whites discriminated against African Americans in the Jim Crow South. A boycott is the act of refusing to buy, use, or participate in something as a form of protest. Why didn’t the African American community use boycotts more often in their fight against segregation?

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Reviews

Booklist Spotlight on Crafts Top 10 Pick
“This very readable account of Washington's life is paired with appealing projects from the colonial period.”

Children's Literature
"One of 27 books in the ‘Build It Yourself' series, this edition focuses on the life of George Washington. Beginning with a time-line of his life and a map of the colonies in the 18th century. Each chapter highlights the many accomplishments of George's fascinating life complete with personal details that will interest young readers. The appealing layout includes well researched material, boxed highlights of interesting facts, ‘words to know' and cartoon-like drawings. The amount and variation of text is right on for novice history students. Throughout the workbook-like format, projects add interest for those students needing a hands-on approach. Projects include making a pretend sword from cardboard, a cup and ball toy, a quill pen and a letter seal. Most projects use readily available materials with detailed instructions. There's a focus on vocabulary throughout with a follow-up glossary at the end of the book. An index is included, as well. It is a fun approach to history with wide appeal for a variety of learners."

Booklist
"From the ‘Build It Yourself' series, this large-format paperback includes a very readable account of Washington's personal life, his military career, and his years as president plus 25 projects related to the colonial period... the book offers a number of appealing activities, such as making swords from cardboard, paint, and aluminum foil; cooking hoecakes; and constructing a wig from a paper bag and cotton balls. The cartoon-style black-and-white illustrations are engaging. A time line, glossary, and lists of books and websites are appended."

Ann Phillips Bay, Vice President for Education, George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
"This accurate and engaging biography provides an excellent introduction to George Washington and his times for young readers. It also contains an assortment of relevant projects that kids can do with inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. I plan to buy a copy for every child I know!"

SWON Libraries
"A good format for reluctant readers. The facts are well-chosen and interesting, and balance Washington's mistakes with his accomplishments. The objects selected for the craft projects are introduced with additional facts about their history and use. A well-written book, and an excellent resource."

School Library Journal
"The life of George Washington lends itself remarkably well to a variety of kid-friendly crafts that don't require old-fashioned materials or 18th-century skills. Children will get a kick out of some of the projects, like using a tea bag to make a map look old. Others will mystify them, especially as the crafts get more difficult and require more set-up . . . The projects separate biographical chapters that are thorough and clear. Sidebars with vocabulary words, quotes, interesting facts about the man and his time, and ‘What if?' questions regarding pivotal moments in Washington's life add to the text. These sidebars, as well as amusing cartoon illustrations, make the subject light and approachable. While the text clearly paints a picture of Washington as a great man and national hero, the author also points out the mistakes he made and how he learned from them, teaching kids an important lesson about failures. While there are many biographies of Washington for this age group, and many books of colonial crafts, this one is unique in its dual purpose and emphasis on accessibility, both in terms of the text and relative ease of the activities. While the design of the book lends itself to the possibility of kids enjoying it on their own, it will be most effective in a classroom."

Detailed Book Description

George Washington: 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself offers a fascinating look into the life and times of our nation's first president. Readers ages 9 and up can explore Washington's years as a young Virginia gentleman, his military battles, and his political contributions to a fledgling nation. 25 hands-on activities help kids learn about this legendary figure in American history. George Washington: 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself includes biographical sidebars, illustrations, historical facts that allow kids to explore George Washington in a fun, hands-on way.

Available In:
Hardcover, $21.95
9781934670644
Paperback, $15.95
9781934670637
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Maps | Glossary | Resources | Index
Specs: 8 x 10 size | black and white interior | 128 pages
Subject: Social Studies
Content Focus: U.S. History

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
George Washington

Chapter 1
A Young Gentleman

Chapter 2
Surveyor and Landowner

Chapter 3
A Young Colonel

Chapter 4
At Home in Virginia

Chapter 5
Commander in Chief

Chapter 6
Birth of a Nation

Chapter 7
Washington’s Presidency

Chapter 8
Washington’s Farewell

Glossary
Resources
Index