Learning history should never be boring. Texts tend to be long with dates to memorize and possibly a short biography to read about a historical figure making the information difficult to retain. There are, however, many ways to bring history to life, therefore, making it more exciting to learn! Let’s take a look.
Memoirs. Reading memories or journals give personal, firsthand views of historical events.
Historical Fiction. We remember stories. Historical fiction gives life and character to the period of time you are reading about. These books introduce us to new parts of the world, new characters and new events which can be researched further upon completion of the story.
Documentaries. PBS and The History Channel have wonderful documentaries for the entire family!
Visit Landmarks. Landmarks, museums and virtual tours are unique ways to see history up close.
Get Cooking. Research and cook foods from a historical period. Your local library may have collections such as the American Girl series in which you will find delicious recipes. Consider hosting a Victorian era tea party.
Creative Writing. Short stories, poetry and playwriting combine research, writing and creativity to make learning history imaginative and fun.
Dress Up. Take those creative writing pieces and add clothing/costumes to live those historical periods. Time periods were often defined by the clothing worn by women.
Dates are numbers. Reading facts doesn’t stimulate the imagination. Helping history hop off the pages sparks an interest in us so the dates and facts stick with us. So, if your child is struggling with studying their notes, start small and add a simple activity to give a fuller picture of the period, event or historical figure being studied for history is the link to the future.
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