Top 5 Strategies for Whipping up Engagement in History Class
2. Mix in Some Modern Media
3. Add Pinch of Play
4. A Dash of Mystery
5. Blend with Costumes
Serve up some delicious lessons that make History stick to the roof of their mouths like wonder bread.
1. Create AMBIANCE-set the Mood with a field trip
Music is another great was to enhance the mood
2. Mix in Some Modern Media
3. A Pinch of Play

During a unit on Ancient China my students created games around the topic of traveling the silk roads. Not only did I write about it, but I also created a Hyperdoc lesson to share, so that other teachers could try out this project too. Click on the button below to read the post and check out the lesson. If you click on "file" and then "make a copy" you can add this Hyperdoc to your Google drive and edit it to make it work for the unit you are planning.

4. A Hint of Mystery
5. Blend in Some Costumes
Whether you're walking like an Egyptian, recreating a Roman version of a Norman Rockwell painting, or finding Waldo in a geography lesson, costumes always up the engagement factor of whatever it is you are teaching. Post Halloween costume shopping, is where I find the best deals on props and I have a whole section of my supply closet that is just for costumes and props. They aren't just for me either! Students use them for presentations and re-enactments as well-except for my hats. Costumes don't have to be expensive and elaborate. The best reaction that I ever got from a class was when we did a marshmallow challenge on the first day of school and I stepped into the closet to get a measuring tape and came out with a Stay Puft Marshmallow man ski mask on. Costumes and props are an instant signal to your class that something fun is going to be happening and that creates a sense of excitement about your lesson. |