History, Fireworks, Food, and Family Fun – A 4th of July Unit Study and Resource List

The 4th of July, America’s birthday, is a fantastic opportunity for family fun, fireworks, food, and summer school learning! I’ve found some great cross curricular and multi level resources to share as we celebrate, explore, create, learn, review, and play through a unit study.

American Revolution Timeline starting with The Stamp Act (1765) and ending with The Treaty of Paris (1783) http://www.ducksters.com/history/revolutionarywartimeline.php

Early America Resources – Documents, Photos, Biographies, and Videos https://www.varsitytutors.com/earlyamerica

Tour Revolutionary War Battlefields http://johnsmilitaryhistory.com/revvirtual.html

‘Revolutionary War’ Famous Paintings http://www.reenactmag.com/7-paintings-define-revolutionary-war/

Museum of the American Revolution – Impressive collection of objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works! http://www.amrevmuseum.org/collection

Interactive version of John Trumbull’s famous painting “The Declaration of Independence” http://www.quiz-tree.com/Declaration-of-Independence-Trumbull.html

Guns of the Revolutionary War http://www.reenactmag.com/important-guns-revolutionary-war/

History/Geography/Math Game Printable – “Find the Lost Redcoat” https://www.education.com/activity/article/The_lost_redcoat/

Liberty’s Kids is an entertaining and a favorite video resource for homeschooling families to introduce the events and people of the American Revolution. Here’s the link to the viewers guide for all 40 episodes. http://www.tv.com/shows/libertys-kids/episodes/

And, the link to the Liberty’s Kids Youtube channel and playlist. All the episodes are available to view. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5pJi9mLIy38m2e_u3sboKQ

Schoolhouse Rock 4th of July Cartoon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmSVnP-oDRs

4th of July Vocabulary List and Word Puzzles https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/july-4th-vocabulary/

July 4th Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/july-4th-writing-activities/

Patriotic Writing Paper Printables http://www.busybeekidsprintables.com/Patriotic-Stationery.html

Calligraphy Resources https://www.franw.com/2015/08/calligraphy-resources.html

Patriotic Quotes https://www.countryliving.com/life/g1841/patriotic-quotes/

How to Speak Like a Colonist http://mrscagle.weebly.com/uploads/2/1/0/6/21062918/talk_like_a_colonist.pdf

Devotions, Quotes, Prayers, and Bible verses for Independence Day http://www.graspinggod.com/4th-of-july.html

Learn about manufacturing the American Flag history and videos https://annin.com/

“Why do we celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks?” According to Slate, that answer is , “Because John Adams wanted us to.” Link here for the full article. http://www.slate.com/articles/life/explainer/2012/07/history_of_fireworks_in_america_why_do_we_celebrate_fourth_of_july_with_fireworks_.html

“Boom Pow Whizz” is an awesome article explaining the history of fireworks with a couple of suggested art and language arts activities. https://antiquitynow.org/2013/07/03/boom-pow-whizzz-the-history-of-fireworks/

Fireworks and Flags Math Activities http://www.yummymath.com/2016/4th-of-july/

Learn about the chemistry of fireworks and use the handy chart of to identify what chemical compounds are used to produce different colors http://www.scifun.org/CHEMWEEK/fireworks/Fireworks2017.htm

And here’s more firework chemistry including a highlighted periodic table http://sciencenotes.org/firework-colors-chemistry/

And to find out more about the elements that make the firework colors http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table

What’s inside a firework and step by step explanation of what happens when lit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/anat_nf.html

How It’s Made – Fireworks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hatDxw8-GRM

How It’s Made – Sparklers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LJ-lAANCw8

Steve Spangler’s – 4th of July Science https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZp7VTYJvQw

Homemade Fireworks Instructions (advanced and probably dangerous!) https://www.thoughtco.com/homemade-fireworks-projects-607331

BBQ and Grilling Safety Guide with kids https://www.ultramodern.com/how-to-grill-with-kids/

Kids Grilling Recipes and Tips http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/easy-grilling-recipes.html

How Charcoal is Made Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pFLbB00ZJo

My family’s favorite 4th of July treat is this yummy and easy layered dessert using store bought angel food cake – cut into cubes, blueberries, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream.

Fun Learning Activities http://www.franw.com/2013/06/4th-of-july-americas-independence-day.html

4th of July themed Bible games and activities http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=4th+of+july

4th of July Party Games http://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/4th-of-july-10-fun-party-games/

4th of July themed Interactive Games http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/july4/games.htm

Patriotic Music for Kids http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/americas-favorite-patriotic-songs-for-kids

And don’t forget to check with your local library! We found these …

And we don’t have to stop this study here! “The Pennsylvania State House bell was rung to summon the people of Philadelphia to gather for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Though the bell wouldn’t be called the Liberty Bell until years later, the bell’s message of liberty certainly rang that day.”

The Liberty Bell – Learning Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/08/the-liberty-bell/