This page contains the books and materials (plus reviews) used in our American history curriculum topic 14. This topic in our history curriculum will explore colonial times, the Salem witch hunts, Benjamin Franklin and more.

Books and Materials for Topic 14

Icon Key and Explanations

The New Americans: Colonial Times: 1620-1689 (The American Story) by Betsy Maestro, Giulio Maestro

This is a terrific book to get an overview of this time period. We enjoyed the vibrant illustrations and reading through the easy to understand information.

Topic 14

Benjamin Franklin (Edgar D’Aulaire)

This is another favorite of ours (we love all of the D'Aulaire books). The story is simply told and enhanced by the wonderful illustrations and the sayings from Poor Richard's Almanac on each page. This is a wonderful introduction to Benjamin Franklin that won't be forgotten.

Topic 14

Benjamin Franklin [videorecording] / a production of Schlessinger Media, a division of Library Video Company ; produced and directed by JWM Productions. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, c2003.

Topic 14

Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares (Step into Reading 3) (by Frank Murphy)

We happen to really like books that combine literature with math and that's exactly what this book does (while also covering some history). At the end of the story there are instructions that explain how to construct your own "magic squares".

Topic 14

Ben and Me (Robert Lawson)

This humorous tale is told by a not so humble mouse, Amos.
I chose this book because it's considered a "classic" and is often used in elementary classes to spark some interest in history while getting some laughs. I must not have a great sense of humor because I didn't care for it at all. My son, however, really enjoyed it and snickered during parts. Although we had already gone over some other books on Benjamin Franklin, I think he enjoyed "revisiting" some of the events from the point of view of an often disgruntled mouse.

Do be warned that there are references to wine and also a comment about "enjoying the ladies" or something like that. You can easily skip the few/small questionable parts.

Because of the high level vocabulary, I don't recommend this as a reader for younger students.

Topic 14

Childhood of Famous Americans: Benjamin Franklin (by Augusta Stevenson)
This turned out to be my son's favorite book from this topic. I intended it to be a reader but ended up reading it out loud to him. I drew it out one or two chapters a day and he was always begging for more. This story of Benjamin's childhood is simply told and very easy to understand. Because it's from the perspective of a "child", I think my son found it quite appealing and fun.

Topic 14

Courage of Sarah Noble (Alice Dalgliesh)
This is a beautiful story of bravery and an excellent "beginning" chapter book. Even older readers will most likely be charmed by the story's simplicity and enjoy the thread of adventure throughout.

This book remains one of my oldest daughter's favorites and brings back warm and cozy memories of learning American history for the first time.

Topic 14

This Country of Ours Selections 23-44
*This is an optional read-aloud from a free online text.
23. THE FOUNDING OF MASSACHUSETTS
24. THE STORY OF HARRY VANE
25. THE STORY OF ANNE HUTCHINSON AND THE FOUNDING OF RHODE ISLAND
26. THE FOUNDING OF HARVARD
27. HOW QUAKERS FIRST CAME TO NEW ENGLAND
28. HOW MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE WERE FOUNDED
29. THE FOUNDING OF CONNECTICUT AND WAR WITH THE INDIANS
30. THE FOUNDING OF NEW HAVEN
31. THE HUNT FOR THE REGICIDES
32. KING PHILIP'S WAR
33. HOW THE CHARTER OF CONNECTICUT WAS SAVED
34. THE WITCHES OF SALEM

35. THE FOUNDING OF MARYLAND
36. HOW NEW AMSTERDAM BECAME NEW YORK
37. HOW A GERMAN RULED NEW YORK
38. PIRATES!
39. THE FOUNDING OF NEW JERSEY
40. THE FOUNDING OF PENNSYLVANIA
41. HOW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CAME TO PHILADELPHIA
42. THE FOUNDING OF NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA
43. WAR WITH THE INDIANS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA
44. THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

Roger Williams & Rhode Island [videorecording] / Stone House Productions ; director, John McCally ; producer C. W. Rogers ; writer, Kate Youngdahl. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, c1999.
“Students explore the settlement of Rhode Island through realistic reenactments filmed at actual historic locations.”

Topic 14

Settling the New World [videorecording] / produced and directed by Stone House Productions, LLC. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, c1999. 
“Presents a brief portrait of daily life in the settlements while describing the important contributions each group brought to the development of the new American society.”

Topic 14

The Dutch & New Amsterdam [videorecording] / Stone House Productions ; director, John McCally ; producer, C. W. Rogers; writer, Kate Youngdahl. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, c1999. 
“Students explore the settlement of New Amsterdam through realistic reenactments filmed at actual historic locations.”

Topic 14

What's The Big Idea, Ben Franklin? (by Jean Fritz)

This is a good book that covers a lot of material in an accessible way for young readers. I read it out loud, but motivated students could handle it by themselves.

There is a movie by this same title that is basically a woman reading the book and a few animations of the illustrations taken directly from the pages of the book.

Topic 14

Whales: [videorecording] : an unforgettable journey / Christopher Palmer and David Clark Producers ; directed by David Clark, Al Giddings, Roger Payne.
This movie was originally presented in IMAX Theaters. It features close-up encounters with the blue whale and follows the humpbacks, right whales, Orcas and dolphins. (It goes with the science for topic 14.)

Topic 14

William Penn & Pennsylvania [videorecording] / Stone House Productions ; director, John McCally ; producer, C. W. Rogers ; writer, Kate Youngdahl. Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, c1999. 
“Students explore the settlement of Pennsylvania through realistic reenactments filmed at actual historic locations.”

Topic 14

 Witch Hunt: It Happened in Salem Village (Step into Reading, Step 4 (by Stephen Krensky)
I consider this book optional, but it will give your child an easy to understand foundation about the Salem Witch trials. It will also give you a good opportunity to discuss dishonesty and about being a “false witness” and the consequences of such.

Topic 14

PLUS

History Pockets: Colonial America

American Kids in History

Colonial America

The Story of the U.S.A. Book 1

Wee Sing America Book and CD

*Brought to you by Our Los Banos. com.

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