2021 History Challenge!
Are you ready to join us in learning and experiencing more history this year? Our annual history challenge has been revamped this year to include more activities you can do from home and for free! We want you to share in our passion for the rich treasures that America’s history holds for your family and we want to make it easy and accessible to you. Learning history can be fun, exciting, and easy!
So here it is, the 2021 History Challenge from Heritage Letter complete with 12 ways to incorporate more history into your life in the coming year!
To download a free copy of our 2021 History Chart click HERE!
To make this challenge even easier for you, here are our top 3 recommendations for each activity. Where possible I’ve linked to resources that go well with past Heritage Letters as well as some that we will cover in 2021! As we set up our lesson plans for all of our 2021 Heritage Letters we’ll also make recommendations in as many of these categories as possible to help you complete this challenge!
Read a Historical Fiction Book
-
One of our favorite authors: Avi
*Check out Sophia’s War: a Tale of the Revolution or The Fighting Boy
-
Another favorite author: Jean Fritz
*Check out The Cabin Faced West
-
One of favorite series: Dear America
*Check out: Picture of Freedom
Listen to a History Podcast
-
The Past and the Curious
A history podcast for kids and families.
*Check out Episode #11: Hittin’ the Road: Niagara -
They Signed: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Learn more about American history, the American Revolution, and the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in this podcast. From Thomas Jefferson to William Hooper and George Read, the known and unknown Signers are discussed.
*Check out the episode entitled “Poor Richard’s”
-
History Chicks
The History Chicks introduce you to female characters in history, factual or fictional via our podcast and shownotes. An introduction, an overview and a little push to explore and learn more on your own.*Best for adults and teens.
*Check out Episode #119: Phyllis Wheatley
Watch a Historical Musical
Watch a Historical YouTube Channel
1. Townsends
If you’re new to the channel start with their “New to the Channel Playlist”
-
National Museum of American History
Check out: Ruby Slippers Conservation is Complete
-
Liberty Kids
Check out Midnight Ride
Make a Historic Food
-
1792 Breakfast Omelet
-
Journey Cake
-
Berries and Cream
Play a Historic Game
-
Checkers
-
Prisoners Base
Read how to play on the Sandra Gulland Blog or watch the video below:
-
Horseshoes/Ring Toss
Go on a Virtual Historic Field Trip
-
America’s Summer Road Trip from The Pursuit of History
Travel to 12 American historic sites from the comfort of your own home.
Check out the tour of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park
-
Scholastic: Field Trip to Ellis Island
-
Clara Barton National Historic Site Tour
Read a Biography (or autobiography)
-
Who Was Series
Check out Who Was Susan B. Anthony?
-
Landmark Books
Check out Ben Franklin of Old Philadephia
-
Biographies illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Check out The Boy Who Drew Birds or Some Writer! The Story of EB White
Watch a Historic Movie
-
Sacagawea
-
The Miracle Worker starring Melissa Gilbert (based on the story of Helen Keller)
-
Secretariat
Read a Historic Poem
-
“The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
-
“His Excellency General Washington” by Phyllis Wheatley
-
“I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman
Listen to a Historic Song
-
The Star Spangled Banner
-
Swanee River/Old Folks at Home (state song of Florida) by Stephen Foster & sung by Bing Crosby
-
America the Beautiful sung by Ray Charles
Make a Historic Craft
-
Ragdoll
-
Corn Husk Doll
-
Paper Boat
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.