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In this article, we'll look at some of the best ways to teach history in the 21st century, including ways to use primary sources, encourage critical thinking, and make the classroom a place where everyone feels welcome.
We aim to bridge the gap between evidence based practice, history pedagogy and the classroom teaching by providing one page guide sheets and videos to improve both your teaching practice and student progress.
- Tip #1 Use QR Codes
- Tip #2 Incorporate Movement Into Lessons
- Tip #3 Add Drama
- Tip #4 Use Collaborative Discussion Strategies
- Tip #5 Bring in Primary Sources
- Tip #6 Picture Books
- Tip #7 Browsing Bins
- Tip #8 Historical Fiction
- Tip #9 Assignment Choice
- Tip #10 Artifacts
This quick technology can be accessed with personal or school portable technology (phones, iPads, tablets). The QR code embeds information (text, URL, etc) into the code image. Students scan the code with a QR Code reader app and they unlock the information. I use this in my classroom for introducing vocabulary words in a new unit or for students t...
I love using the cooperative learning strategy called Four Corners. Around the classroom in each corner hang up four different answer cards such as Agree, Disagree, Undecided, and Need More Info (cards can be changed to align better with your lesson). Then ask the class a rich thinking question. Students move to the answer card area that best align...
Activities such as Monologues, Wax Museum and Hot Seat make historical figures come to life in your classroom.
Students are not always comfortable discussing in History classes due to their lack of subject area background knowledge. When we have class discussions I try to build up their knowledge and confidence by using strategies such asThink Pair Shareor Four Corners Placemats.
Where possible bring in primary sources. Photos from the time period and archival documents can make history seem more authentic to students. Lots of internet sites (government archives) have access to these excellent pieces of history. A quick Google search will contain lots of ideas. Your local library, historical societies, and museums are also ...
Do not discount the value of picture books in the middle or high school history classroom. Two of my favourite picture books for my Canadian history classes areThe Cremation of Sam McGeeandThe Canadian Railroad Trilogy. The vivid images and storylines bring history alive. Picture books can also be used to provide background knowledge prior to start...
To help ignite and maintain a spark for historical knowledge, create a browsing bin of books related to curriculum topics. Ask your school librarian or media specialist if you can borrow books from the school library that relate to your current unit of study. Keep these books in a special bin and in a highly visible area to encourage students to lo...
History classrooms are also literacy classrooms. Students engage each day with written text and make connections and inferences about the people they are studying. Keeping a good variety of historical fiction related to your topics of study can help students extend their classroom learning. Some favourite books among my students are anything relate...
It is also important that your assignments have different choice options. Students feel more empowered about their learning if given the chance to produce works of their choosing. Providing choices about content and product is a great place to start. My first major assignment in my Grade 8 History class is having students create a persuasive piece ...
Last year, for one lesson I set up my classroom as an interactive museum. The unit was calledCanada: A Changing Society 1890-1914. I tried to find artifacts around my house and relatives’ houses that could potentially represent items from this time period. I also printed off colour photos of daily living artifacts. Students had to circulate around ...
- Find Great Homeschool History Curriculum. Find a good, well-rounded curriculum. Many curriculums are out there, so picking the right one can be daunting.
- Simplify for Students. Keep things simple. Start your dive into history by providing your students with a general idea of what they’ll be learning. It can be easy to go too narrow too soon.
- Make it Stick With Stories. Focus on the stories. History lessons can get bogged down by dates. Understanding the chronology of history is critical, but sometimes we focus so much on the dates that we forget many of the important events that happened.
- Accent Learning With Activities. I love writing. So I don’t mind an essay about the crucial role women played during the American Revolution, but your students might not think it’s so great.
Jan 30, 2019 · If you're able to get your hands on old newspapers or real objects used by people in the past, your students' interest level goes way up! Consider inviting experts or historians from different time periods into your classroom that may have access to these objects to share with your students.
Feb 21, 2024 · By using best teaching practices, getting creative with your classroom activities, and teaching history inclusively, you can appeal to even the most resistant students and help them truly enjoy learning about the past.
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Oct 17, 2018 · In the 21st century, children have changed, and they need new approaches and teaching strategies. Proving your students that history is far from being boring, you can tailor interactive classes that go beyond manuals and sheets of dates and events. Let’s see five fun, interactive strategies to make history classes educational, entertaining ...
