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You are here: Home / Homeschool / World War II Hands-On American History

World War II Hands-On American History

August 3, 2019 by Erin Vincent 6 Comments

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Making history hands-on can be far more effective than simply reading from a boring textbook, folks. That’s because children are more engaged in a topic when they have an active part to play in their studies. Bring history to life, for your middle schooler, with these World War II hands-on American history activities, projects, and lessons!

World War II Hands-On American History

Disclosure:  Please read my disclosure statement for more information. I received Home School in the Woods Time Travelers: World War II study at no cost and was compensated for my time in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hands-On American History

Folks, my son LOVES history!

More specifically, he is engrossed with any of the wars and battles that have occurred throughout U.S. history.

We follow our kiddos interests. Sometimes diving deep into subjects for a few weeks or months. I wanted something to help me dive deep and cover my son’s current fixation…World War II.

But here’s the thing…World War II was seriously brutal, folks. The atrocities and dark side of humanity that reared its ugly head is enough to make this mama want to bury her head in the sand.

Yet, World War II is also a SUPER important topic that I don’t want to avoid or glass over. I just want to explore it in an age-appropriate way until he is ready for the heavier stuff.

There is so much to be learned about the events leading up to World War II as well as during the war itself. So, I also wanted to focus on the good and the helpers in the war. Those that risked much to stand against evil.

Plus, I wanted to explore World War II in a hands-on way using loads of activities, and projects.

World War II Hands-On American History

That’s why I’m thrilled to have discovered Home School in the Woods Time Travelers series. 

Did you know that Home School in the Woods is a family-run business by a homeschooling family of six?

The Home School in the Woods: Time Travelers series is a seven-part series focussed on U.S. history. My son is stoked about all that they cover.

  • New World Explorers
  • Colonial Life
  • The American Revolution
  • The Early 19th Century
  • The Civil War
  • The Industrial Revolution through the Great Depression
  • World War II
World War II Hands-On American History

What I Love About the Time Travelers U.S. History Studies

The Time Travelers series is PERFECT for our interest-led studies because:

  • 25 concise and well-written lessons
  • Time Traveler unit studies allow for deep dives
  • Each Time Traveler series is a stand-alone history study
  • OR I can use the Time Traveler series as a supplement
  • 50+ Project options!!! Each Time Traveler series is loaded with hands-on projects and activities
  • Time Travelers is perfect for grades 3rd-8th
  • Digital Products allow for multiple use and printing (but I only print off what I want to use)
World War II Hands-On American History

Hands-On American History Unit Study

The Home School in the Woods Time Travelers: World War II study provided us with everything we needed digitally for:

  • Creative Writing
  • Lapbooking
  • Notebooking
  • Mini-Timeline
  • Printable Language BINGO Game
  • Ration Recipes from the World War II-era
  • 3D Projects
World War II Hands-On American History

World War II History Projects

Today I am sharing some of the World War II history projects my son did while using the Home School in the Woods Time Travelers World War II study!

1. Creative Writing

My son loved being able to use his creative writing skills to create a World War II-era newspaper! These creative newspapers are an incredible teaching tool.

There were loads of other writing resources including penmanship and famous quotes. As a result, my son learned some famous phrases and speeches from that time period.

World War II Hands-On American History
Creative Writing a World War II Era Newspaper

2.World War II Lapbook

As we covered different topics of World War II my son created pieces to add to his lapbook. These topics included:

  • Dictators
  • Life as a Soldier (soldiers field manual, feeding the soldiers, service record book)
  • On the Home Front (ration cards and tips)
  • POW Camps
  • The United Nations
  • The Holocaust
World War II Hands-On American History
World War II Lapbook Cover

Lap books are awesome for end of the year portfolios and reviewing information.

World War II Hands-On American History

This lapbook was bursting at the seams with historical facts! These books are perfect for creative kiddos who enjoy cutting, pasting, and coloring.

World War II Hands-On American History
World War II Lapbook

Plus, they can also fuel more in-depth learning. For example, while studying the Holocaust my son wanted to know about more lesser-known helpers…people who risked their lives to save Jews. The inside of my son’s Holocaust booklet has a whole section for adding in other helpers that you may discover along the way!

Thus, we tumbled down the rabbit hole of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who saved thousands of Allied POWs and Jews in Rome.

World War II Hands-On American History

More World War II Hands-On American History Projects

3.World War II Notebooking Pages

My son’s notebook is a simple three-ring binder, but it is also filled with information that wouldn’t fit into the lapbook. For instance, this is where his creative writing, copywork, timeline, maps, and numerous other topics were stored. Several such topics were:

  • uniforms used by the Axis and Allies
  • machinery and weaponry used at the time
  • Propaganda posters
  • women of the war
  • factfile cards
  • Navajo code talkers, and so much more.
World War II Hands-On American History
Axis and Allied Uniforms
World War II Hands-On American History
Hitler’s Climb to Power

4.World War II history recipes

These history recipes were fantastic and as a result, we made some interesting and tasty World War II era treats! Every 5th lesson we were introduced to two new recipes.

This is how we found ourselves eating SPAM Hash!

World War II Hands-On American History
World War II Hands-On American History
The SPAM Hash was a hit!

5.Printable Language BINGO Game

My son was delighted with this printable game because it introduced him to 5 common words in 5 different languages during World War II. These languages included Japanese, Russian, German, Italian, and French.

World War II Hands-On American History

6.World War II history timeline

My son enjoyed building this mini timeline of World War II because it helped him to see when certain important moments happened before, during, and after the war.

Timelines are wonderful hands-on learning tools for children of all ages.

World War II Hands-On American History
Placing the figures on his timeline
World War II Hands-On American History
World War II history timeline complete

Home School in the Woods Time Travelers

Folks, the Time Travelers studies are a rich hands-on way to learn about important historical events. It has been perfect for our homeschool because it allowed us to dive deep into my son’s current passion in an age-appropriate way. Plus, it is super affordable. All you need is access to a printer, ink, paper, scissors, tape, and glue!

My son is seriously loving this all-in-one unit study and can’t wait to explore more of the Time Traveler series!

World War II Hands-On American History

Get Your Homeschool in the Woods Freebie

Did you know that Home School in the Woods Subscribers gets a FREE Mini study on Famous Authors? This would a great way to try out Home School in the Woods to see if it would be a good fit for your kiddos. So, be sure to sign up!

Enter to Win the Entire Collection

Hold on to your hats folks, because one lucky winner will receive the ENTIRE COLLECTION of both Project Passport and the Time Traveler products—$311.90 VALUE!

The even more awesome part… the winner can be anywhere in the world because this is a digital product!!!!

You may also enjoy our post: 50 of the Best World War II Books for Middle Schoolers!

World War II Hands-On American History

Looking for more history inspiration?

  • Easy to Use Tips Bring History to Life
  • History Fun with History Unboxed
  • Early American History Timeline and Unit Study
  • Hands On History with History Unboxed
  • Hands on History with Project Passport
  • Medieval Chalk Pastels: Video Art Course
  • Time Capsule: Medieval England Unit Study
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About Erin Vincent

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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Comments

  1. Susan Evans says

    August 5, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Oh my goodness, I love this! Hands-on learning is the best, and it’s hard to fin hands-on for modern history.

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Erin, a homeschooling mom to two very intense kids. Every day I try to find what works best for me and my family. My blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. I hope these posts will encourage you on your homeschool adventure.

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