Living History: Part 2

What would happen if students dressed up as characters from history and interacted with other local historical characters? This is what happens in our classroom each year. Students are persuaded to choose characters not found in a history book, but to investigate and discover stories from within our own community. It sounds tough and it is! This classroom based assessment (CBA) project is rewarding for the students, teachers, and community members.

Our students did not memorize a speech, but had to dig into primary sources, documents, and interviews to help develop the character.  Many of the students selected a family member, homesteader, politician, Tribal Elder, family member, and much more. Seeing and hearing first-hand accounts allowed the students to learn so much more about history.


Preparation:

   Timeline Lesson (making connections)

• personal timeline

1.       Introduce primary sources

2.       Learn to analyze primary documents

3.       Develop interview questions

a.       Interview a friend

4.       Develop research questions

a.       How to use the library

5.       Research and note taking (Research PowerPoint is developed by Tracy Dick)

6.       Write a letter through your characters eyes.

7.       Teacher demonstrates a character example/skit

8.       Students practice character with peers

9.       Living History Day (more information available at our TPT store. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Liz-And-Ron

Sample Parent Letter