Good morning, how are you? I wanted to share Homeschooling Resources for Social Sciences with you. Please check out these websites 100 Milestone Documents, Transatlantic Cable Communications, Discovering Antarctica
Age Range: 11 and up (Grades 6 and up; children with parental supervision) Explore United States history from 1776-1965 by examining 100 documents gathered by National Archives and Records Administration.
The select documents are considered to “reflect our diversity and our unity, our past and our future, and mostly our commitment as a nation to continue to strive to ‘form a more perfect union.'” After selecting one of the documents from the link list, the window will open where visitors will see an image of the actual document, be able to read about its history and significance, review a transcript of the document, and additionally can download a PDF(s) of the image of the item. Some of the most popular documents available include:
- Declaration of Independence (1776)
- Constitution of the United States (1787)
- Bill of Rights (1791)
- Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803)
- Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
- 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women’s Right to Vote (1920)
- 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865)
- Gettysburg Address (1863)
- Civil Rights Act (1964)
- Social Security Act (1935)
- And many more.
There are additional resources available using the right-hand menu including:
- The People’s Vote – a ranked list of the documents based on public opinion of which are considered the most historically influential
- Tools for Educators – includes a downloadable source book, teaching ideas and more
- Related Resources – links to other websites for documents and historical research
This website is an excellent resource for any history class wishing to use primary resources in their studies.
Recommended Website: Transatlantic Cable Communications
Age Range: 8-18 (Grades 3-12, with parental supervision) Today’s website explores Canada’s historic part in transatlantic communications. You can hear the story of the official first transatlantic cable message (Queen Victoria to President Buchanan), as well as listen in on bits of history such as the distress call from the Titanic!
When you get to the archived site you will see a menu that includes:
- Introduction – Get a brief overview of the history of the electric telegraph and why the locations of Canso and Hazel Hill on the Atlantic coast of Canada were critical to utilizing this technology.
- Science – Learn about the invention of the telegraph and how the resin from the Gutta-Percha tree provided just the right properties for suitable insulation to waterproof underwater cables. Explore the science of telegraphy and discover Morse Code. Virtually examine the parts of a telegraph machine. Find out about other great inventions that were a result of the “Cable Era.”
- History – Read an in-depth history of telegraphy and its socio-economic impact. Find out what the life of a telegrapher was like, and listen to some of the famous messages sent and received via telegraph – including the distress message of the ill-fated ship, Titanic.
- Media Gallery – See photographs, watch video clips, and visit the sound studio to explore telegraphy.
- Resource Center – Take a multiple choice quiz to test your knowledge of telegraphy, print out a fun telegraphy-themed word-search puzzle, and discover more links to Internet resources on telegraphy.
Recommended Website: Discovering Antarctica
Age Range: 7-15 (Grades 2-10, with parental supervision) Take an interesting trip discovering Antarctica with this website from the Royal Geographical Society with IBG in partnership with the British Antarctic Survey and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Using the menu, navigate to the different topics to explore which include:
- Introducing Antarctica – Imagining Antarctica; What, where, why?
- Oceans, Atmosphere, Landscape – A changing climate; glaciation; ice, land and sea; atmosphere, weather and climate
- Ecosystems and Foodwebs – Beneath the waves; Ecosystems
- Science and Exploration – Journey South; Living in Antarctica Today; Pole to Pole; and more
- Tourism – Destination Antarctica
- Challenges – Antarctica Under Pressure; Sustainability; What future for Antarctica?
Each section has links on the right side for more info and teacher helps.
This is an excellent resource for your geography studies about the continent of Antarctica.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
