Learning history is a powerful way to learn about the present world, develop empathy and critical thinking skills, and establish an informed identity. But perhaps this valuable school subject can be a bit challenging for students to completely understand its relevance. As you begin your next semester, Mobile Ed has a few simple ways you can engage your students in history that you may not have thought of.

Mobile Ed's mission for almost 50 years has been to make learning engaging for young students with the goal of sparking a deeper passion for learning. We are experts in bringing learning to life! Continue reading for some simple ways you can bring your next history lesson to life, no matter the grade level. 

Easy Ways to Bring History to Life

1. Start with the Best Part! A little unconventional, but for your next lesson, you may not want to start at the beginning. What is the most interesting, surprising, or unique part of your lesson? Start with that! This technique helps hook students from the beginning, making your students more invested and increasing their recall. You can always go back to the beginning after your hook. 

2. Get Crafty. Making your history lesson hands-on isn't always simple, but there are so many ways to get creative! Research indicates that students learn more effectively when they become active participants in their own learning. A few ideas include creating a 3D model of a landmark, painting a historical figure, drawing postcards, and more. For specific hands-on history projects, check out our Presidential Finger Puppet Project and Passport to the Past Project!

3. Include Storytelling. No educator is a stranger to the power of storytelling. Storytelling is perhaps our most powerful tool for transferring knowledge, creating empathy, and teaching morals. But how can we incorporate it into our lesson plans? A few ideas for you include picture books, skits, role-playing, and historical book clubs. Mobile Ed even has several historical school assemblies that bring historical figures right to your school to share their stories "first hand" with students. 

4. Make it Personal. Have your students researched their own personal history? Or have your students explored the history of their own hometown before? This may be the perfect way to help students see how history is relevant and that they are active participants in making history as well. History isn't always about the world-changing events found in our textbooks; it's also the personal histories found in communities. Having a personal connection to your lesson can help students become more invested in their studies. 

5. Solve a Mystery. The heart of learning is discovery. So why not incorporate a little mystery into your lesson plans? This hands-on approach may take some extra coordination, but the research, hands-on participation, and critical thinking required by your students make this an exceptional and effective learning experience for students of all ages. Start with a question, provide some clues, encourage hypotheses, and then have your students present their findings. This is also an excellent way for students to practice team collaboration. Check out this Murder Mystery Game for history classes provided by Edutopia!

Have a Historical Figure Visit Your School!

If you need some more ideas for how you can bring history to life in your classroom, Mobile Ed has several history and social studies assemblies that students love. It's even become a yearly tradition for some schools! Read about some of our most popular historical assemblies below. 

Mobile Ed’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Program has been teaching students about MLK, Jr.’s legacy for decades. Our team travels to schools, libraries, and community centers across the country so students can learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. in a fun, interactive, and memorable way. In Mobile Ed’s Martin Luther King, Jr. program, students learn about: 

• • • The life of Dr. King
    • Growing up in the 1950s
    • Morals and values
    • The Civil Rights Movement
    • Social injustice
    • Inequality

In the Women in History assembly, your students will have the opportunity to meet various women who have changed the world, and learn about how and why they made their impact. Through their personal stories, students will get a well-rounded historical background about various time periods while also giving them the confidence to change the world around them. In the Women in History program, students will learn about: 

• • • Clara Barton
    • Florence Nightingale
    • Madame Curie
    • Amelia Earhart
    • Helen Keller
    • Anne Sullivan
    • Harriet Tubman
    • And more!
      

The Living Lincoln assembly brings our sixteenth president to life with an immersive, in-person portrayal that connects their research with a real-world perspective. Students will hear about Lincoln’s early life, his presidency during the Civil War, and his enduring legacy, complete with period clothing and historical accuracy. The program’s storytelling approach helps students see Lincoln as more than just a historical figure. Students will learn about:

• • • Lincoln's childhood
    • The Emancipation Proclamation
    • The 16th Presidency
    • Lincoln's assassination

Would you like to learn more about availability in your area? Click the button below to learn how to bring history to life in your classroom today.