FeedFrederick Douglass For Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities (Giveaway!)
July 19, 2012 in Art activities, Book Club Possibility, Books With Social Studies Content, Chapter Books, Elementary Educators, Reading Skills, Research Ideas, Sanders Nancy I. Tags: Book Giveaway Contest, nonfiction books, slavery issues, the Underground Railroad, United States Civil War
Frederick Douglass For Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities (Chicago Review Press)
Written by Nancy I. Sanders
I’m so happy to have this book on my blog today! Frederick Douglass For Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities is a beautiful, comprehensive book for kids about this amazing historical figure. The photos alone are worth the time spent reading the book, along with the time line (from birth to death) in the beginning of the book. The best part is I was provided with two copies from the publisher, so I can give a copy away! So, if you are interested in reading or using this book about Frederick Douglass in your classroom, library, or at home, please leave a comment (Pick me! will do) with an email address by Sunday 7/22 7:00 p.m. CST. United States mailing addresses only please (it’s a nice size, softcover book!).
**Chapter book for middle-grade/tweens, nonfiction, historical figure
**Frederick Douglass as the main topic
**Rating: A very well done book about an important and impressive historical figure. The activities are creative, and kids will love bringing history alive.
Short, short summary: Frederick Douglass for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities is organized into seven chapters with a resource section in the back. It reminds me of a glossy magazine about history! The chapters start with Douglass’s childhood as a slave, his freedom, his new life as a free man, what he achieved in his adult life, being a famous orator during the Civil War, his life after the Civil War, and finally, his successful life right before his death. Each section has three activities to go with it. But these aren’t just paper/pencil activities or crafts! They are very creative–some can be done with individuals; others work better in groups. (See below in the “So, what do I do with this book?” section for specific activities.) Besides these activities and text about Frederick Douglass, there are wonderful photos–some taken by the author of historical places in the present day and some old photos. She also includes several sidebars full of more information about people and places she mentions in Frederick Douglass’s story, such as a Civil War time line, information about Sojourner Truth, and a write-up on famous escapes. If you teach American history, this book will be a wonderful resource.
So, what do I do with this book?
Here are a few of the activities listed in the book:
1. Make a Paste to Keep Flies Away (Chapter 2)
2. Clothespin Dolls (Chapter 3)
3. New England Boiled Dinner (Chapter 4)–perfect home school activity!
4. “John Brown Song” (Chapter 5)
5. Create a Memory (Chapter 5)
6. Make a Cane (Chapter 6)
7. Banana Leaf Card (Chapter 7)
So, there are the titles of 1/3 of the activities–as you can see just by the titles, they are creative and kids will love them. Children can learn about history while also enjoying themselves–that’s the best part!
Don’t forget about the giveaway! Leave a comment by Sunday night.
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July 19th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Lately many people are saying it’s a waste of time to vote. A book like this will help remind them of the value of their civil rights, so it isn’t only for kids.
July 19th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
We are huge historical nonfiction readers in our household, so I know my about-to-be 4th grader would love it, as would I. We know that Douglass spent time in New Bedford, MA, which is near us, so the geographical connection is also of interest. Hope I win this one!
July 19th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I love Nancy Sanders’ books and would love to win this one. It looks great.
July 19th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
This books sounds like an excellent read and a fun resource. I could certainly see this book being used in our school age group at the ECE facility.
July 19th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
BTW. BIG CONGRATS on the book. I’ll link your blog as well. We can all spread the word of your accomplishment! Well done, YOU!!!
July 19th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I would love to win this for my classroom. Please enter me in your contest.
Thanks!
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
July 19th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
What an excellent resource for classroom teachers, Margo. Great post. I loved making clothespin dolls when I was a girl on the farm. It was easy to make clothes for them, too!
July 19th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
The book sounds perfect for teachers , parents and kids. Wishing you great success.
July 19th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
This book sounds interesting! I can’t wait for your book to come out! Congrats!
July 19th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Sounds like a great book…thanks for introducing me to it!
July 19th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
This is a must for teaching about a really stellar human being and great activist. I taught Douglass’ autobiography in high school. The first chapter, Douglass describes how the white master beat his aunt mercilessly because she dared to see a man she loved on the sly. The course was African American Literature and the students were amazed when they learned that white slave holders forbid their slaves to read. Reading/knowledge was a way out of mental bondage and of course, led to eventual attempts to free oneself physically. That was an eye-opener. Of course, the same applies today. The wealthy invest in their children’s education and have them learn the classics, etc. They know the importance of knowledge. The middle and lower middle classes are not convinced..at their peril.
July 19th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I would love to win this for my classroom! It would fit into my Civil War mini-unit within my Missouri history unit perfectly! Thanks for sharing!
July 19th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Sounds very interesting and a book that I should read to learn about this amazing person. I am in Canada so am out of the running but know you have some very deserving comments to choose from.
Who ever gets this will do justice by reading it to their students or family.
What a great offer!
July 20th, 2012 at 12:04 am
I love it when an author senses a need for books on certain topics and takes on the charge of writing the necessary material. Frederick Douglass was a phenomenal man who was crafted by the results of his experiences as a slave. Two years ago our school enjoyed a play written by the librarian and a very Afrocentric teacher’s aide. It was then that I learned that Abraham Lincoln and Mr. Frederick Douglass were good friends and they met to discuss the civil war issues and how it should be handled. Mr. Douglass gave Lincoln some very good advice regarding the Civil War. He told him what to do about the “colored” soldiers. This book would so supplement the Black History Activities at my school which begin in the library and set off a chain reaction throughout every grade level. I would so love to have this book for the children and teachers at our school. Black History is American History and should be taught the entire year and not just in February. Send us that book, please! Thank you!
July 21st, 2012 at 6:38 pm
The book looks great and kids will enjoy the book because of the historical fiction. This is a genre that is hard to find good literature for school age students that has meaning and can teach them the value of such important historical figures such as Frederick Douglas. In my classroom, these are the type of books that I incorporate in my Reading and Writing Block. My curriculum in Social Studies is the Civil War. Students research important figures in America and our grade level presents a Living Museum for guests. A book like this will be another great resource with quality information for my whole class. Hope that you will choose me.
July 23rd, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Thank you, thank you for all the thoughtful comments. I wish I had a copy for each one of you, especially the teachers. If you don’t win, perhaps your school has some budget (LOL) to buy this book for you from Amazon. The link right to the Amazon book page is above in the post.
Drumroll. ..
the winner is: Sharon Stanley
July 28th, 2012 at 9:21 am
Margo, Thanks for helping to spread the word about my new book! And thank you to all you wonderful bloggers who understand the value of learning about Frederick Douglass and his life as a true American hero. For a free educator’s guide…and printable bookmarks, please visit the book’s site at:
http://www.FrederickDouglass.wordpress.com
Happy learning! -Nancy
July 29th, 2012 at 8:55 am
You are welcome, Nancy. I really enjoyed it, especially your activities!