My first year in the classroom history was the subject that didn’t get done. I couldn’t find a way around it. As a self-contained teacher, I tried to fit it all in, but I didn’t have the organizational skills, the time management, or the know how to make it work.
There were WEEKS I did not manage to get to history. I mean, when you are being held accountable for three of the five subjects you teach we all know where our focus would be. This doesn’t make it right–but it is the truth.
As the years went on history became more and more of a focus within our classroom, because I enjoyed it more and my students LOVED it! Through a few easy to follow routines we were able to take our history block from total blah to an epic experience for all!
Give Context to History Through Literature
Often students have no idea how to even begin wrapping their minds around a time period. When you are ten years old a century ago might as well be five hundred years, because you weren’t there for it. by beginning each unit of history with a historical read aloud students are able to develop a context for their thinking.
A bonus to using a read aloud is you can make cross curricular connections with the literature during your English Language Arts block. We all know integration is key, especially in self-contained classrooms, because otherwise it doesn’t all fit.
By using a historical book you tap into students background knowledge and give them cues as to what is to come. Many times our students know about historical events, but don’t have all the facts. This process helps them to bring their knowledge to the surface.
Send Students Back in Time
Many, if not most, time periods our students are interested in lend themselves to demonstrations or simulations. One of my favorite ways for students to engage with their history is to take part in dice simulations.
These simulations put students in the shoes of a person at a certain point in history. They go on a journey as their person recording what happens at each station, which is determined by the roll of a die. This unpredictability can lead to frustration, excitement, and most vital of all, empathy.
After students have completed the simulation they write a narrative from the point of view of their historical person. These narratives are ALWAYS a powerful learning tool which allows students to form deep connections with the time period they are studying.
In addition to dice simulations, you can also find online simulations and experiences that can be provided to students to let them walk a mile in the shoes of a historical figure. The important thing to remember is when students build connections to their history they are more likely to remember it.
Bring in Primary Resources
Let’s face it, textbooks and photographs of historical items are boring. Sometimes they are the best we can do, but other times we can knock it out of the park!
For example, when learning about the Alamo your students could look at pictures of items used during the battle, or you could apply to borrow a Trunk of Primary Resources. I mean, is there any question which students are more likely to remember?
Providing experiences through history for our students is what makes it stick!
Make It Interactive (Notebooks)
Picture a spiral notebook FULL of notes from the year. Now picture a neatly tabbed and organized notebook with unique activities for each unit of study. Which one do you want your students using?
Interactive notebooks are a GREAT way for students to become more immersed in their history. They allow students to organize their learning in a way that makes it easy to refer back to.
Along with their academic benefits, students enjoy interactive notebook activities WAY more than regular note-taking!
Check out interactive notebook activities for Texas History and United States History.
Mix It Up!
If you are doing the same thing every day, with a new time period your students are going to HATE history. Instead, try your hand at using cooperative learning strategies such as jigsaw for students to share the information with one another.
This strategy takes teachers out of the spotlight and places students directly in it! Each student is responsible for learning and sharing key concepts. This positive interdependence allows students to flourish and share their knowledge with one another.
In the end, no matter how you choose to spice up your history block to make it engaging for your students remember it has to work for them! History is worth the time it takes to teach, it might not be convenient,–but it is the truth.
Wrapping Up
Our students want to learn about history, and now may be the most important time for us to wrap our minds around teaching it in an accurate, but engaging way. Remember to keep history engaging:
- Use literature to frame historical periods to allow students to establish context
- Provides experiences for students to connect their learning and establish empathy
- Use primary resources whenever possible
- Interactive notebooks are a GREAT way to organize student learning
- Try new teaching and learning strategies to keep the classroom fresh and novel
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