Ben’s Guide is a free online resource where students ages 4-14 are able to take an adventure learning about government. Once students enter the site you will find Ben Franklin to guide the adventure. Students will then select their age and begin searching through articles. Ages 4-8 can learn about the branches of government, symbols, Patriotic songs, and more. Students ages 9-13 can study federal versus state government, history of voting, and more. While students 14 and older will study a little more on each topic and learn about tracking bills, how elections work, and more. Not all articles are at students reading levels so this adventure can include all family members to join in the reading and discussion of topics. Once students have read the articles they can then go to the game section where they are able to take online or printable quizzes, complete word searches, or play games to review information.
PragerU is a free online resource that provides educational videos, crafts, downloadable books, magazines, and activity pages for elementary through high school students. Elementary students will find videos that teach American values of truth, freedom, responsibility, hard work, equality under God, and history. Students will love listening to stories about a fun puppy named Otto who travels in time to learn about historical heroes and good morals. They can also participate in crafts while learning history by watching Craftory. For example, they can create a liberty bell while learning about a symbol of freedom. Elementary students can also look through biography magazines on presidents, builders of america, and women of valor. Middle and high school students are able to watch videos like TBH that teach about historical figures and their impact on the world today or How To that discuss life lessons to build strong citizens. High school students are also able to read magazines on global issues such as life under socialism in Valenzuela, Fight for Freedom in Hong Kong, Learning the Truth in North Korea, and more. In these magazines students will have the opportunity to learn about different countries, their current issues, and life in those countries from the perspective of students. All videos, stories, and magazines provide an opportunity for families to discuss government, history, current news, and becoming critical thinkers.