Teach Kids About the History and Legacy of William Penn

At the beginning of our homeschool year this year, I asked my oldest (15) what he enjoyed about studying history. He said that his favorite way to learn history was through biographies – through true stories of people whom God used to bring about change in the world. 

One of the best ways to bring history to life is to share the remarkable stories of men and women who stepped out in faith to act on their convictions. Our children need to hear these stories. They need to learn how we got where we are and how they, too, might be a force for positive change. One such inspiring story is that of William Penn, the 17th-century Quaker who founded Pennsylvania. 

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(This post is sponsored by Christian History Institute, creators of the film Penn’s Seed: The Awakening – Available for free on RedeemTV. All opinions are my own.)

Who Was William Pen? (and why teach about him)

William Penn is an important figure in the history of America that few learn much about. That is unfortunate and something we can change as we educate our children! Not only was William Penn a colonial founder but he was also a champion of religious freedom, equality, and fair governance. He promoted those ideas during a critical time of transition in our nation’s history, and the evidence of his efforts can still be seen today!

Understanding William Penn’s life and legacy is crucial for appreciating the foundational principles that shaped our nation. Today, his contributions continue to influence the protection of individual freedoms characteristic of the United States. By teaching your children about Penn’s story, you’ll help them understand the historical significance of his accomplishments and the continuing value of his pursuit of religious freedom, treating others with dignity, and governing fairly.

William Penn was born in London on October 14, 1644. Although he grew up in an Anglican family, he converted to the Quaker faith in his early adulthood and became a key figure in the Quaker church. Penn drew from his Quaker beliefs when he founded Pennsylvania in 1681 – you can see many of the Quaker principles reflected in the founding documents he wrote. He called Pennsylvania the “Holy Experiment,” with the goal of creating a refuge of religious freedom and cooperation.

William Penn Unit Study for Homeschool

In our homeschool, one of my favorite things to do is teach about historical events and figures using a short unit. It’s a great way to shake up the routine and dig deep into a topic! 

Here is a unit we’ll be doing in our family based on the movie Penn’s Seed: The Awakening. (You can find a brief review of the film at the end of this post if you’d like to learn more about it.) 

Materials Needed: 

• Video: Penn’s Seed: The Awakening (Available for free on RedeemTV)
• The links and activities listed in this unit study.
• Optional: Other resources, listed later in this post. 

Unit Outline: 

• Intro and viewing of Penn’s Seed: The Awakening
• Day 1: Early Life & Beliefs
• Day 2: Religious Persecution / Freedom
• Day 3: Government & National Impact
• Day 4:Treatment of Native Americans
• Day 5: Worldwide Impact

Intro & Viewing of Penn’s Seed: The Awakening

In preparation for the 5-day unit, review the quick facts listed below as a general introduction to William Penn. Then view the movie Penn’s Seed: The Awakening. The video is about an hour long, so you may choose to divide it into two or three sessions, depending on the ages of your children. You can complete the whole movie before starting Day 1 or work through it as you complete the unit. 

Pause occasionally to let younger children narrate (tell back what they learned in their own words) and older children take notes. For your note-takers, give them the following categories to organize their notes into as they watch the movie: 

• Early Life & Beliefs
• Religious Persecution / Freedom
• Government & National Impact
• Treatment of Native Americans
• Worldwide Impact & Legacy

Your middle and high schoolers can learn a lot by taking good notes during the movie. You can also have them write narrations or short essays based on the discussion questions or research topics listed each day. 

Download the Free 5-Day Unit Study on William Penn

FREE Documentary – Penn’s Seed: The Awakening

Penn’s Seed: The Awakening is a 1-hour documentary by the Christian History Institute and a fantastic resource for homeschool families to learn about William Penn and his legacy. As you watch, you’ll learn about this inspiring hero of history who planted seeds in our nation for religious freedom, brotherly love, and fair governance – principles worth revisiting in current times. This movie is essential for families who want to learn about William Penn’s impact on the principles of our founding fathers, our government, and nations and organizations worldwide.

I enjoyed this film and can’t wait to share it with my children! For academic and discussion purposes, it’s best suited for upper elementary to high schoolers. The first half of the movie goes through his life and accomplishments, while the second half emphasizes the legacy he left and how it impacted history. The beginning of the film, in particular, touches on the Quaker beliefs and Penn’s spiritual experiences. I would take some time to review Quaker beliefs with your children and compare and contrast them to your family’s beliefs and to Scripture. It sparks some great discussions! 

I especially appreciated how this film gives us insight into how Penn’s ideas were perceived by the Native Americans, both then and now, and how other countries and groups have taken up Penn’s ideas in recent years to foster freedom and mutual care. Overall, it’s an inspiring and educational resource!

Be sure to come back and leave a comment here to share your thoughts on Penn’s Seed: The Awakening. I’d especially love to hear if you try it out the unit study or if you have anything to add!

~ Tauna