Christmas is just around the corner! Incorporate the holiday spirit into your class before your students leave for break. Here are our top ten resources for an educational Christmas in the classroom:
On December 19, 1777, 12,000 Continental soldiers under the command of General George Washington made their way to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to set up camp for the winter. Just months after their October defeat at the Battle of Germantown, in which the British secured their control over Philadelphia, Washington’s men were demoralized, poorly-fed, weary, and ill-equipped for the harsh winter. Many of the soldiers did not have shoes to … Read more »
Over at the Washington, Jefferson, and Madison Institute blog, J. David Gowdy points out a great resource for students interested in learning about Christmas at the White House: WhiteHouseChristmasCards.com. The website has collected accounts of the Christmas celebrations held by each president—from George Washington to Barack Obama—and provides examples of Christmas cards and other Christmas messages offered by each president and his family.
Here’s an excerpt that … Read more »
Distinguished scholar-teachers Amy and Leon Kass demonstrate how short stories, speeches, and songs can be used to enhance civic education and how a pedagogical approach that stresses learning through inquiry can make primary sources come alive for students of all ages.
View the CurriculumBuy the Book
“What a wonderful collection of American songs, speeches, and stories. It should be valuable for teachers, students, parents, and readers of all kinds.”
— Diane Ravitch