Create dramatic re-enactments of key moments in American history. For example, tell the story of Paul Revere and the Minutemen and then act it out in circle time. Have children pretend to be riding a horse as they move around the circle and pass the message along that the British are heading into town.
Narrate a brief story about the signing of the Declaration of Independence and then post a large piece of construction or parchment paper which each student gets to sign.
Take your students outside and go "gold digging" in a sand box where you've hidden toy gold nuggets to teach them about the California gold rush.
Engage kids in creating history-related art projects. For example, after talking about the first Thanksgiving, you could give kids construction paper and have them create a menu for the first Thanksgiving by drawing pictures of the foods that were served.
Sing songs about American history. Teach children traditional American folk songs while telling them some of the history behind the songs. For example, you could sing "Home on the Range" and pretend that you are pioneers traveling west across America.
Read picture books that tell stories about events in American history. Try such books as "George Washington's Teeth," "Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers," "Dear Mr. Rosenwald," and "Boxes for Katie." Discuss the story, the characters, and the historical context of the story.
Hold a history-related costume party. Have parents bring in food from a particular historical period and have an old-fashioned picnic, a Thanksgiving meal or barn dance potluck. Keep a dress-up chest with iconic costume pieces for your students to choose from. Occasionally pull out a costume piece and tell a story from history about that piece.