We’re making simple American history silhouette puzzles to go along with any prominent US history figure that you need a great activity for. Also, look at my post 35 Simple But Powerful US History Homeschool Curriculum Resources K to 12 for more ideas.
Silhouettes were done in profile (side view) and became popular in the mid-18th century, but the term did not become commonly used until the early 19th century.
It was initially achieved by outlining shadows and then filling them in and later painting or hand cutting.
We are going to learn not only how to make a silhouette but how to turn it into a puzzle for a hands-on activity.
This will help engage your child’s mind to learn and remember more about the person they are learning about.
This time I focused on Abraham Lincoln (even without the hat), George Washington and first Lady Dolley Madison.
These are a few famous Americans who have well-known faces, even in silhouette form so they make for great subjects.
We focused even more on the wonderful contributions of Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison.
We learned some fascinating facts and I have also included a handful of great American History resources for you to use to make a full and fun unit study full of hands-on ideas on your favorite American History topic.
Books About Founding Mothers & Early American History
9 Books about the Founding Mothers
Learn about the founding mothers brings history to life.
Amidst the nonstop turmoil of the War of 1812, the decisive First Lady takes action and inspires an anxious nation.Dolley Madison faces a bitterly divided Washington City when her husband, James Madison, becomes our fourth president. The prospect of war against Great Britain threatens to tear our fragile republic apart. The "Presidentess" hosts open parties in the new President's House to unite political foes and cultivate an American identity.When President Madison declares war with disastrous results, Dolley carries on, ignoring the threats against her. However, as British soldiers march toward Washington City, she becomes their target. Now America's Second War of Independence hinges on her. What must she do to save the United States while also saving herself?The true story of a woman with humble Quaker roots who rallies America during the War of 1812!
Roberts traces the stories of heroic, patriotic women such as Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren, Sarah Livingston Jay, and others. Details are gleaned from their letters, private journals, lists, and ledgers. The bravery of these women’s courageous acts contributed to the founding of America and spurred the founding fathers to make this a country that “remembered the ladies.”
This compelling book, based on the author's acclaimed work for adults, Founding Mothers, includes a rich time line, biographies, an author’s note, and additional web resources in the back matter.
Parents and educators looking for a more in-depth book beyond the Rosie Revere and Rad Women series will welcome Founding Mothers.
In this masterful book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence—when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper. Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King’s men, the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.
Novel unfolds the warm and deeply moving love story of two America's most exciting people : Abigail Smith and John.
This exciting middle grade novel is the true story of Will Knox, a nineteen-year-old young man who transported 183 cannons from New York’s Fort Ticonderoga to Boston—in the dead of winter—to help George Washington win an important battle.
Paul Revere's midnight ride...Washington crossing the Delaware...the winter crisis at Valley Forge... Some events in America's War for Independence are known to all. This book brings to history fans the story of another true episode, just as dramatic but not nearly as well known.
As you read these pages, you will agree that Colonel Knox's great adventure was a stirring, suspenseful, and important event in American history.
Landmark Young Readers of America explores the story of Dolly Madison.
With this revelatory and painstakingly researched book, Martha Washington, the invisible woman of American history, at last gets the biography she deserves. In place of the domestic frump of popular imagination, Patricia Brady resurrects the wealthy, attractive, and vivacious young widow who captivated the youthful George Washington. Here are the able landowner, the indomitable patriot (who faithfully joined her husband each winter at Valley Forge), and the shrewd diplomat and emotional mainstay. And even as it brings Martha Washington into sharper and more accurate focus, this sterling life sheds light on her marriage, her society, and the precedents she established for future First Ladies.
Abigail Adams is often referred to as the wife of one president and the mother of another. Rarely is she described as a woman in her own right. Although her primary focus and concerns were in her role as wife and mother, she lives in history because of her extraordinary letters to her family and to her friends.She was a witness to the gathering storm of the Revolutionary War. She saw the Battle of Bunker Hill from a hilltop near her home, and soldiers marching past her door frequently stopped for a drink of water. Because she was so close to the scene, she was able to give firsthand reports of the American Revolution to her husband and other leaders creating a new government, as she wrote about the times and the people who played vital roles in the birth of our nation.Mingling the intimate with the momentous, she documented what it was like to live at a time when education was not available to young women, and when pregnancy and childbirth meant the fear of death. Colonial women were called upon to make life-and-death decisions for their children, to educate their daughters, and to run their farms when their husbands were away for months, or sometimes for years, at a time. Yet they had, at best, second-class legal and political status.Abigail Adams's independent spirit, her sense of humor, and her remarkable intellect, as shown in her letters, open a wide window on a crucial period in our nation's history, and bring Abigail Adams and her time to life.
In this narrative biography, you’ll learn all about the childhood of Betsy Ross—from her birth on January 1, 1752, as the eighth of seventeen children, to her Quaker upbringing, to her growing love for sewing and apprenticeship to an upholsterer. Discover how and why Betsy began making flags—and some surprising info about her legendary contribution to America.
8 Facts about First Lady Dolley Madison
- Dolley Madison was the wife and the first lady of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States from 1809-1817.
- She was expelled from her Quaker community for marrying outside her faith when she wed James Madison (her second husband).
- Dolley Madison was known for using her social skills, charm and personal popularity to win over her husband’s political opponents and strongly influenced bipartisan efforts.
- Her biggest claim to fame is for saving Washington’s portrait when the British burned the White House in the War of 1812. While she did not carry it out herself, she ordered servants to grab it and carry it to safety.
- Lesser known is the fact that she was the first American and the first of all first ladies to answer a telegraph message.
- While her husband served as Secretary of State for Thomas Jefferson, Dolley acted as White House hostess for the widowed president Jefferson and set a precedent for excellence among future first ladies.
- Dolley was the first lady to decorate the White House, previously filled with used and worn pieces.
- This popular first lady was quoted as saying “It is one of my sources of happiness never to desire knowledge of other people’s business.” Smart lady!
Next, look at more hands-on American history activities for kids.
More American History Activities for Kids
- How to Build a Fun White House Sugar Cube George Washington Craft
- 10 American Revolutionary War Activities | Amazing Tea Bag Rocket Science
- Fun American Civil War Crafts for Kids and Make Raspberry Jam
- Free American History Lapbook The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp
- American Frontier Legends and Hero Paul Bunyan Blue Ox Craft
- American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study
- Free Amazing American Civil War Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study
- 18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life
- Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages
How to Make American History Silhouette Puzzles
You will need:
- White cardstock
- Black cardstock
- Pencil
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Printed profile image of historical figure
First, search google for a good side view picture of whoever you want to make a silhouette for. Print it to the size desired.
Cut out the side view picture preserving as much of the profile detail as you can, hair, nose, etc. This will help your figure be more identifiable.
Trace the image with a pencil onto your black cardstock.
Cut out the image carefully.
Cover the entire “backside” with glue and press onto the center of your white cardstock, smooth and press it out well, be sure all the edges adhere to the paper.
If desired, draw a photo frame around the border of your image with paint or markers.
Once dry, cut your entire page into puzzle shapes, keep the shapes simple and less for younger children and more complicated and more for older children.
You can also recreate the silhouette effect with your family’s own profile image as well.