When I was in school, I enjoyed history. I am not sure what was so fascinating about it because looking back there was nothing exciting about the teaching or subject. I actually think it was more that I just enjoyed learning and history didn’t involve math. Now that I am homeschooling our children, I really want their education to be engaging. I know that each child will have subjects they like and those they would rather set aside. Thankfully, with Famous Figures of the Revolution history doesn’t have to be boring and dry. Timberdoodle sent us a copy of this product to try and when I showed it to Eli, he immediately said “I want to put together George Washington.”
Using Paper Figures in Learning
In a previous post, I explained another product similar to this one in regard to creating articulating paper people. This book contains 15 American Revolution figures, each in a color format or black and white allowing your child to color it on their own. Eli is not super wild on coloring so he is appreciative of the already colored format. The paper is cardstock, so it works well with crayons, colored pencils, pens, or markers. We found that the best way to put the paper figure together is will mini brads, I am not sure where I found them (might have been at a craft store or long again when I used another paper figure book). You can also purchase a 1/8 inch hole punch which makes it easier to put the brads in, but the brads are pointy enough that it’s not crucial to the process.
The Benefits of Hands On Learning
While I thought history was fun, I am not so certain our kids think the same way. Well, actually I know they don’t think the same way–but I can at least make it a bit more engaging for them. Sure I could just sit and read them some facts from a history book written thirty years ago or I could have then create the paper figure and act out the history story. Eli definitely has more fun with history as we use the paper figures in the telling of the facts. Here are the historical figures included in the book:
- Benjamin Franklin
- John Adams
- Patrick Henry
- Daniel Boone
- Paul Revere
- George Washington
- The Marquis De LaFayette
- Molly Pitcher
- Betsy Ross
- Phillis Wheatley
- Soldier of the Colonial Army
- British Soldier
- Two Kettle Together, Tyonajanegen
- Joseph Brant
- Thomas Jefferson
Not only are we working on history but many other skills such as fine motor, literacy, and art. We also have fun with the figures, making them dance or we tell stories using the figures. Putting the figures together is very easy, not only is there a picture of the figure on back of the page but all you have to do is match up the letters, it tells you which piece is towards the back and which is in the front.
To be honest, Eli really likes these paper figures. He never complains about doing this work, he even cuts them out without any hesitation or acting like its work. We like the option of coloring or uncolored, even though Eli always chooses the colored version. But some day he might want to create a style of his own on George Washington’s suit.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the product from Timberdoodle in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and ideas are my own.
The Life We Build 