Product Description

Young adventurers can imagine traveling to the New World and learn about the settling of America while enjoying activities such as stitching a sampler, pitching horseshoes, making an almanac, churning butter, tying knots, making a corn husk doll, and more. Helpful illustrations explain the step-by-step projects.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #205663 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 152 pages

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 6?Colonial American life comes to life in this attractive and easy-to-use book. Dozens of illustrated activities follow a brief introduction to early Americans and their daily lives. Throughout the book, small text boxes add interesting tidbits, such as the definition of "pilgrim" and why the English "drank out of their boots." The activities are divided into eight chapters: "Sailing and Settling," "Clothes and More," "Home Sweet Home," "Dinnertime," "Everyday Life," "Arts and Crafts," "School and Learning," and "Fun and Games." The projects include recipes, games, crafts, and gardening. Kids can learn how to tie knots, bake hardtack, make a braided rug, or dip candles. The instructions are clearly written and include informative line drawings and appropriate warnings for adult assistance.?Paula A. Kiely, Milwaukee Public Library, WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4^-6. This wide-ranging guide offers ideas and instructions for activities related to colonial America, along with a smattering of information about the colonies. Projects include tying sailors' knots, steaming clams, learning colonial manners, dyeing a shirt, stitching a sampler, and playing leapfrog. Some of the activities lead children to a fuller understanding of the era, while others (making liquid soap from scraps of bar soap) seem rather tenuously connected to that time and place. With 66 projects, recipes, and games, the coverage is broad rather than deep. Students and teachers may want to use this for ideas, then look to more detailed sources for better instruction in skills such as knitting (done here with pencils), quilt making, or planting a garden. Carolyn Phelan

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Customer Reviews

From an elementary school teacher...
This is a wonderful book to use with a unit on colonial life. I teach second grade and found the activities easy to understand, with a minimal amount of preparation needed. There are so many activities that you can pick from with everything from games to food covered. Everything is well-organized in a way that makes sense for lesson preparation. The activities are easily adapted to fit the needs of all elementary grade levels. For parents wishing to enrich their children's lives, I highly recommend this book---especially if you are planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg or Plymouth Plantation.

Could be a bit more authentic
While there is no doubt to the value of Carlson's books, I have been slightly disapointed with some of the authenticity. ( Example: New World Cocoa Mix is made with nondairy creamer and powered chocolate drink mix--like Quik. These are not items EVER found in colonial times so the "recreation" of the drink is not much of a learning experience) Try David C King's American Kids in History series (Colonial Days) for a more realistic items.

great pre-school / elementary school / homeschool unit
I teach pre-school and was able to build an entire unit with this book. So did the art teacher!!! Very interesting and easy to use recipes and crafts. I am craft "challanged" and was able to complete them, so this book is not advanced. Great for homeschooling and involved Moms. This book is easy to read. Includes a historical timeline in the beginning of the book,along with facts about the colonial times. Informative and fun.