Topic: social studies

Civil War Trading Cards
Take a look at this Civil War activity that is sure to captivate your students. Students will read about 7 historical figures that played an important part in the American Civil War and then answer comprehension questions on the organizers. Lastly, they will create a trading card for each person listed below.

It includes trading cards for the following influential people:
- Abraham Lincoln
- General Ulysses S. Grant
- General Robert E. Lee
- Harriet Tubman
- Clara Barton
- A Union Soldier
- A Confederate Soldier
What’s inside:
- 6 Reading passages
- 6 Biography Organizers
- 6 Trading Cards (b/w and color)
Teacher Notes:

Over the years, I have seen my own children fall in love with collecting trading cards such as Pokemon. So I knew it would be fun for students to make their own trading cards about famous people in history. It’s also a great way to practice summarizing. And that is how this product came about.

Then I had a thought…What if students could save and collect trading cards throughout the school year for different units? These cards could be saved to review for tests or just for fun. (COMING SOON: NEW Trading Cards for my other units!)

I recommend buying LIBRARY CARD POCKETS if you plan to have students collect them or keep them for other units. For best results, print the cards on cardstock or premium brochure and flyer paper from Office Depot. The cards will last longer and be more sturdy. Remember to set the printer on the best quality setting. There are labels in this pack to glue on the front of the pockets or you can write the names using a sharpie if desired. I hope your students love this project as much as mine do!

Suggestions for Use:
- Use it at stations to introduce these influential people
- Use this at the end of the unit as a review activity
***I have added these trading cards to my CIVIL WAR BUNDLE so if you already own it, you don’t need to purchase this pack. Simply download it again for the updated version.***

Students will love creating and collecting trading cards for all my social studies units.
October 22, 2026
Create a Country Project for Elementary Grades 1-3

A BEST SELLER! A fun back to school or end of the year project to introduce or review geography and map skills all at the same time! Your students will love creating their own country.

Create A Country Project: Newly updated and revised with my country mini-book, vocabulary posters, and fun student activities. Activities are related to geography and cultural themes such as traditions, flags, climates, housing, natural resources, agriculture, schooling, and transportation. What a creative hands-on project!

There is a 16-page country mini-book to introduce geography and cultural vocabulary and concepts. This unit is geared for younger students. First, have them read, color, and assemble their mini-books before starting the project.

This is a great anytime of the year project! I have used it for many years as the end of the year culminating project to reinforce and review the main geography concepts that we’ve learned in social studies throughout the school year.

Be sure to check out the PREVIEW for more information

Steps for this Create a Country Project:
Read the My Country Mini-book and complete the related geography and vocabulary activities to get them thinking about how they would build their own country.

Then have each student create their own “Country” and everything that goes with it!

Performance Task: You will be creating and designing your OWN country including:
✔ Name of your country
✔ A map
✔ A flag

Students can use the country checklists and organizers to guide them as they work through the project.

October 22, 2026
Famous Inventors & Inventions That Changed the World

Students will love learning about six famous inventors and their awesome inventions that changed the world!

Six Famous Inventors:
⭐ Alexander Graham Bell
⭐ Thomas Edison
⭐ The Wright Brothers
⭐ Sarah Breedlove Walker
⭐ Benjamin Franklin
⭐ George Washington Carver

Plus a section about three modern-day kid inventors! Research organizers are included for students to research and create their own inventions too!

There are three main activities:
Reading:
Read the passages about 6 inventors and complete the comprehension
questions on the organizers.

Hands-on Activities:
✔ Comprehension Questions/Organizers
✔ Character Mini-booklet for each inventor
✔ Timeline Activity

Vocabulary Activities:
Print out the vocabulary posters in color or black and white. Post them on a bulletin board or around the classroom. Make copies of the Spotlight on Vocabulary. Have students write the definition or to write a sentence using the word.
There are two different versions included:
One has an empty box for students to draw their own illustrations related to the word.
One has an image for them to color and visualize.

Extension Activities:
Although learning about famous inventions is very important, kids love reading about other kids. So I’ve included three cool inventions that were created by kids. For a fun project, students can research about other famous inventions. There are research organizers included at the end of this unit for them to use to research other famous inventions. Then they could make a model or present the information to their classmates.

Another idea to have students create their own invention. In my class, we gather recyclables and let students work up a plan for a new invention. Then they work in groups to design their own inventions. The main rule is that their invention must solve a problem or make a task easier, safer, or more efficient.

Students will love learning all about these awesome and amazing inventions that changed our world!

October 22, 2026
Let’s go on a Map Scavenger Hunt

Learning about maps has never been so much fun! This resource has several engaging map activities that will have students hunting for answers. It works well for centers and is perfect for the beginning of the school year activity.

A complete unit with activities for students to practice their map skills. High-resolution maps are included for students to use for completing a variety of map activities. Students can use maps found around the classroom or those provided in this pack. Just print-n-go!

You asked, and we listened! By adding world map activities and Canada map activities this unit is a complete resource! This unit was recently updated and improved with activities and maps for the United States and Canada. There is also a world map with related activities too. Answer keys are included.

This unit has engaging student activities like map skills mystery flaps, create your own map key, and build a neighborhood map. Plus there’s a character study where students will meet Leonardo da Vinci. He was famous for the Mona Lisa as well as a master map–maker. Students will create a character mini-booklet with a timeline to learn all about him.

It also includes several vocabulary posters, flip-flaps, and a spotlight on vocabulary activity. These colorful vocabulary posters make an attractive bulletin board in a snap!

Vocabulary words highlighted:

✔ Map Legend

✔ Continent

✔ Cardinal Directions

✔ Intermediate Directions

✔ Compass Rose

October 22, 2026
The First Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

This Thanksgiving Activities Pack is something to be thankful for! Your students will love learning all about the history of the first Thanksgiving! This unit is a TOP 100 BEST SELLER and newly updated in 2016 now with even more activities in this pack!

This unit includes many interactive activities and learning opportunities for students such as reading passages about the Pilgrim’s Journey to the New World, the First Thanksgiving, and holiday traditions.

Students will meet several characters who will share what life was like back then in this pack including:
✔ Meet Tom Turkey
✔ Meet Squanto
✔ Meet Elizabeth, a pilgrim girl
✔ Meet John, a pilgrim boy
✔ Meet John Carver, the first Governor of New Plymouth

There are lots of hands-on activities for students to show what they know:
✔ Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunts (2)
✔ Biography Organizers for four of the characters
✔ I am Thankful for…
✔ Writing Activity
✔ Plus a 6-page Thanksgiving Flip Book
✔ Vocabulary Posters
✔ Vocabulary Flip Flaps

There are three main activities:
Vocabulary:
Introduce the six vocabulary words with the real-life photo posters included. You could post these posters around the classroom and have students travel around to match up and define the words in their flip flaps or use as a center activity. These posters are excellent for a bulletin board display too.

Reading:
Next, have students read the passages about the first Thanksgiving and character studies where they will meet Squanto, Governor Carver (1st Governor of New Plymouth), John a pilgrim boy, Elizabeth, a pilgrim girl, and Tom Turkey. After reading the passages, have students answer the scavenger hunt pages (2). These work well in centers, learning stations, and as partner work.

Activities:
There are many activities for students to complete to show what they know:
✔ Scavenger Hunt Pages (2)
✔ Biography Organizers (4)
✔ I am Thankful for…
✔ My Favorite Tradition Writing Activity
✔ Fact or Fiction Activity
✔ An Attitude for Gratitude
✔ Plus a Thanksgiving 6-page Flip Book.

I usually have them do one page of the flip book at each center or station. They can use the articles as a reference source to help them complete the pages of the booklet. Lastly, they cut, color, and assemble the booklet. Flip up books can be glued or stapled inside their interactive notebooks, file folder, or a 12×18 piece of construction paper folded like a book cover.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There are 3 main activities in this creative resource:

Thanksgiving Vocabulary:
Introduce the 6 vocabulary words with the real-life photo posters included. You could post these posters around the classroom and have students travel around to match up and define the words in their flip flaps or use as a center activity. These posters are excellent for a bulletin board display too.

Informational articles
Next, have students read the informational articles and character studies where they will meet Squanto, Governor Carver (1st Governor of New Plymouth), John a pilgrim boy, Elizabeth, a pilgrim girl, and Tom Turkey. There’s also a mini-booklet about the first Thanksgiving. You could have students work with a partner or in small groups or even as a center/station activity.

Thanksgiving Activities:
Have students complete the Thanksgiving Mystery Flaps and the 6 page Thanksgiving Flip Up Booklet. I usually have them do one page at each center or station. They can use the articles as a reference source to help them complete the pages of the booklet. Lastly, they cut, color, and assemble the booklet. Flip up books can be glued or stapled inside their interactive notebooks, file folder, or a 12 x 18 piece of construction paper folded like a book cover.

Happy Thanksgiving!

October 22, 2026
Explorer & Viking Leif Erikson Complete Unit

🌍 🛶 ⚔️ Looking for an exciting addition to your Early Explorers or Vikings unit? This Leif Erikson Unit – a comprehensive resource is filled with non-fiction passages, engaging activities, and more!

This NO PREP unit includes:

Reading passages

Comprehension Questions

Map Activities

Vocabulary Posters

Spotlight on Vocabulary

A 5 Page Flip Booklet

With everything you need to teach your students about this legendary Viking explorer. ⚔️ 🛶

October 22, 2026