The Children’s Book of Patriotic Stories: The Spirit of ’76 (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this great collection of stories of the events of the American Revolution, many of which involve young patriots. A great read-aloud story collection, with selections both for young and older students.
Right Click here and “save link” to download today’s resource.
The King of Ice
In the 1700s, one man claimed to have “invented” ice! What was the story behind this outlandish claim, and why did he make a fortune with a cargo of plain ordinary ice? Listen to this fascinating old time radio program and find out — great “living history for the ears”! (15 minute audio)
Here is your download link: The King of Ice
(To download these MP3 files, RIGHT click the links and “save as” to your computer. Mac users, press the “control” key then click the link and “save” to your mac.)
Young Davy Crockett (MP3 audio & PDF study guide) – Today’s resource is this excellent, quite moving half hour audio dramatization of the early life of the legendary frontier hero and teller of tall tales, Davy Crockett, and his experiences growing up on the American frontier. This dramatization of Crockett’s own remembrances of his early life on the frontier was adapted for radio by Earl Hamner, who later went on to create the TV program “The Waltons”. Great stuff!
Included with this mp3 audio is a short PDF “listening guide” to use for further discussion and study after listening to the audio. You’re welcome!
To Download “The Story of Young Davy Crockett” (MP3 audio, 6 megs / 26 minutes), RIGHT CLICK HERE and “save target” to your computer.
To Download the Listening Guide to “The Story of Young Davy Crockett” (PDF ebook, 2 pgs.) RIGHT CLICK HERE and “save target” to your computer.
A SLAVE AMONG SLAVES by Booker T. Washington (PDF ebook)
Here’s a great excerpt from Booker T. Washington’s autobiography on what it was like to be a child in a slave family in the 1860′s, and what kind of reaction families had to the news of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. This is a short but wonderfully written and very moving piece of “Living History” to share with your kids.
To download this PDF ebook, RIGHT CLICK HERE and “save” to your computer. Mac users, press the “control” key and click the link, then save to your mac.
CAST DOWN YOUR BUCKET WHERE YOU ARE
by Booker T. Washington
Here is one of the most famous and widely circulated speeches that Booker T. Washington ever gave – on using what you have, where you are, to make a difference in the lives of those around you. It is inspiring! (10 minutes)
To download the MP3 audio reading of this speech, RIGHT CLICK HERE and “save” to your computer.
To download a PDF transcript of this speech, RIGHT CLICK HERE and “save”.
MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY
by Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist, women’s suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer, and is one of the most prominent figures in African American and United States history. In this Audio reading, he shares a story he held back for many years – just how he escaped from his slave masters and gained his freedom. (38 minutes)
To listen to this reading online, CLICK HERE.
To download the MP3 audio reading of this story, RIGHT CLICK HERE then “save” to your computer. Mac users, press the “control” key then click the link and save to your mac.
To download the PDF transcript of this story, RIGHT CLICK HERE then “save”.
This neat collection of interactive historical maps of American history, Latin American history, African history and European history was developed by the University of Oregon. As explained on the site, it is “…designed to provide interactive and animated representations of fundamental historical problems and/or illustrations of historical events, demonstrations, and dynamics.”
This is an excellent history and geography resources that helps your kids visualize the many historical changes in colonization, government and influence of countries throughout the history of these regions.
CLICK HERE to go to the site
40 G. A. HENTY AUDIOBOOKS!
George Alfred Henty (8 December 1832 – 16 November 1902), was a prolific English novelist best known for his historical adventure stories that were popular in the late 19th century. His books are still read and enjoyed today and are a terrific way to bring pivotal events from history to life for young readers and listeners. Today, we bring you a link from which you can download all these classic unabridged “living history” Henty audiobooks:
Among Malay Pirates
At Agincourt – White Hoods of Paris
Beric the Briton: A Story of the Roman Invation
By Pike and Dyke
The Cat of Bubastes
Dragon and the Raven: or The Days of King Alfred
In Freedom’s Cause
On the Irrawaddy, a Story of the First Burmese War
One of the 28th – a Tale of Waterloo
Saint George for England
St. Bartholomew’s Eve
Through Russian Snows
Through the Fray
The Tiger of Mysore
True to the Old Flag… AND MANY MORE!
Courtesy of Librivox.org, you can download and enjoy these complete, unabridged audio reading of one of Henty’s best historical adventure novels. These are read by different readers and the quality varies from acceptable to truly excellent (By Pike and Dyke, The Tiger of Mysore).
Our link takes you to the Librivox results page for ALL their G. A. Henty audiobooks. Just click on the titles you wish to download, and you’ll be taken to the individual download page for that book. You’ll be able to download these audiobooks a chapter at a time, or each complete title all at once. Bookmark the page if you need to come back to it later!
Tip: The 64K mp3 versions sound just as good as the 128K mp3 versions — and is half the size. These are huge files, so plan accordingly!
The Horse Fair by James Baldwin (PDF ebook)
In this neat mix of stories, legends and history, Young Philip, resting after his plowing, is surprised by a mysterious gentleman who invites him to a wondrous and magical horse fair at which he sees great horses from literature and history. This is an excellent “living book” by James Baldwin that will appeal to horse lovers, fans of classic “living books”, and history buffs!
To download this PDF ebook, RIGHT CLICK HERE and “save link” to your computer. Mac users, press the “control” key then click the link and save to your mac.
Here’s a unique site all about American Folk and Traditional Music from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
The site offers hundreds of songs, with lyrics, midi files, tune information and the history behind the folk songs and ballads. Not all of these tunes were written by Americans, but they are songs that were known in America. Most songs of the Colonial and Revolutionary Era were songs that originated in England, Scotland and Ireland and immigrated with their people. The songs on the site are arranged by time period and major events or themes, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Sea Shantys and Songs, Cowboy songs, etc.
This is a great site to refer to whenever you are studying American history. Just find a few songs from the era you are studying and you’ll learn a lot more about what was going on in regular people’s lives and what they listened to during that time.
Click here to go to the site!
