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!
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.
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
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)
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 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.
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
Lap books are awesome for end of the year portfolios and reviewing information.
This lapbook was bursting at the seams with historical facts! These books are perfect for creative kiddos who enjoy cutting, pasting, and coloring.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
Looking for more history inspiration?
Oh my goodness, I love this! Hands-on learning is the best, and it’s hard to fin hands-on for modern history.