6 Easy steps to Teaching American History to Active Kids

Teaching American history to active kids can be challenging but not impossible. By keeping the lessons brief and engaging you can increase their ability to remember what you’ve taught them, even in a short time.

picture of George Washington with a frown
George W was very clever.

Any parent of an active kiddo is familiar with this scene all too well. You are trying desperately to complete the homeschool curriculum amidst running, squabbling, and tears. Some days you just want to give up. Let me show you how you can accomplish any curriculum by doing careful planning and quick lessons, especially with American history for active kids.

Teaching active kids post pandemic is very different because they are used to learning mainly with a screen. As a parent of one of these kids, I have come to accept video as a main avenue of learning. Unfortunately, I have discovered that most homeschooling program videos are not varied enough to maintain my son’s attention. I had to come up with a better way. Yet my son can spend hours on YouTube scrolling through seamlessly endless videos of nothingness. However, Youtube has incredible value. I often consult YouTube to learn new skills. Why shouldn’t my kids be learning from Youtube as well?

active kids running while parents sit on couch holding their heads.
  • Step 1. Engaging American history lessons requires preparation. Often times, we think if I know what I want to teach, I can just teach the subject with them. Right? 🥴
  • Active kiddos know right away when there is a time delay; while you are searching or preparing the lesson. They will use this opportunity to wander off, or find something else to do. Getting their attention again will be a challenge. ⏰⏰ Your teaching begins by prepping a short, to the point, engaging lesson. I even write down an outline of what we are going to do and what we are covering so that there is very little time delay once we begin.
  • Step 2. Keep the American history lesson brief! ⏰ Even with older kids, the attention spans are getting so short. Expecting longer than 20-30 minutes attention to something that does not interest them is probably unrealistic⏰. Especially if you want to continue the lesson again tomorrow. Remember for retention keep it brief and to the point.
  • Step 3. Include a quick review of the previous lesson before resuming the today’s history lesson. Quick oral review every day reinforces retention especially for active kids. You could even do the quick review while they are engaged in an activity like shooting basketball hoops, playing indoor tennis, or just hopping on one leg. 🕺🏃‍➡️
  • Step 4. Include in your lesson: visual content, preferably a short YouTube video, an activity that is age appropriate, and a quick review at the end. 🖥️
  • Step 5. For older kids, you could begin the lesson portion with a thought provoking question that will be answered in the lesson. Give them the opportunity to try to answer the question before beginning the lesson. Just get their opinion. This helps to grab their attention.
  • For example, How did the Native Americans get to this continent? Do you think they swam here? Do you think they used boats? 🛳️⛴️ If boats, how did they make their boats? How did they make boats that could cross the ocean? Now give them a chance to think about possible scenarios or answers. They can write down their answer so they can refer back to it at the end of the lesson.
  • Step 6. The entire lesson, including the review, should be no more than 30 minutes, for ages 12-14 years old. If younger, the lesson should be 20 minutes or less. Teaching active kids always takes good preparation. These high energy kids love to move and move on.

Each week’s lessons that I post includes a mix of videos and activities. It will also include links to other educational sites on the subject if you want to do more research. Most of the lessons I post are intended for middle school age children. However, I will often include videos that are appropriate for all ages. In the videos appropriate for all ages of active kids, I will make a notation on the all ages appropriate videos.

If you would like to include writing activities, I have downloadable printables that go with this lesson plan. Find your free downloadable printable here

History Lesson Plan Week #1: How did America begin?

This week’s lessons will focus on educating our children about the native people that made their way to this continent before the Europeans did. Also, to show our children that the first people in America had a different way of life and perspective.

  • map of the world with image of icy waters in upper corner

Crumpled world map with the question: Where to Cross?

Day #1: Native Americans: Where did they come from? How did they get here? This lesson can accommodate both younger children and older children. In this way, this lesson can be done together including a wide age range. If you would like the free printable worksheet that goes along with this lesson and the first video you can find here.

This lesson includes three short videos that discuss how Native Americans may have gotten from Europe to the Americas. The total lesson time should only take 15-30 minutes depending on how long you extend the discussion. It is intended to watch one video per day along with the activities. By keeping the lessons short your child is less inclined to resist the lesson.

Video: The First Americans

The First Americans Explanation for Kids

Day #2: Video: Crossing the Atlantic 20,000 years ago may have been quicker. by the Smithsonian Channel.

Crossing the Atlantic 20,000 Years Ago May Have Been Quicker

Day #3: Video: Most Archaeologists think the first Americans arrived by boat. Now, they’re beginning to prove it. By Science Magazine. see references below

Most archaeologists think the first Americans arrived by boat. Now, they're beginning to prove it

I have provided a downloadable instructor’s sheet to guide you and the children through the video and its important points for review. There are also written minutes for the videos so you can plan when to pause the video and ask questions or reinforce. This week’s printable also includes a short activity to be included in this American history lesson for kids who are active. My printable will typically include the quick review from the previous lesson.

Word of Advice: I have found that once I begin the lesson, I do not wander off during the video portion to do other things. If I wander off, the children take that as a sign that they don’t have to pay close attention either. Even active kids as old as 14 years old, especially boys, seem to struggle to hold attention to even short videos. Of course, your child may respond differently and be willing to sit dutifully. Since the videos are so short I choose to stay and watch along with them. Sometimes, even pausing at different spots to reinforce the point of the short lesson.

Warning: Some lessons will only be conducive for the older child ages 10 years and up only. Those lessons would likely include longer videos and we can begin to teach the older children how to take notes on important points. This is good preparation for either a future in college classes or on the job training. These are important skills for American history education, particularly for active kids who need structure but require short lessons.

But this lesson is good for any ages about 7 years old. If you would like the free printable worksheet and instructors activity sheet you can access it here.

Video References:

Video #1: Weinmann, Justin; uploaded __________The First Americans Explanation for Kids; Youtube. Website: www.theinkmethod.com; video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p8A3MNq8pc

Video #2: Smithsonian Channel; uploaded_______ Crossing the Atlantic 20,000 years ago maybe have been quicker; Youtube. Website: https://www.youtube.com/@SmithsonianChannel; Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hK2gyp2Jlc

Video #3: The Science Magazine; uploaded_______ Most Archaeologists think the first Americans arrived by boat. Now, they’re beginning to prove it. Website: https://youtube.com/@ScienceMagazine; Video link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=CmxhFgplacl

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