December is that difficult month where we're looking forward to break – but keeping students engaged in learning can be a challenge. I tend to be at the point in the historical story where empires are being built around the world: 1450-1750. To keep students focused, I incorporate Harkness discussions, Sesame Street quizzes (Here’s my quiz after the Harkness discussion deepening an image analysis on social and economic status in 1450-1750), and some small projects into our classroom.
The casta image in that quiz is a great entry point for having even deeper discussions with students. The Remedial Herstory Project has some great lesson plans and resources for each time period in world (and US) history. While the topics can get intense, I have found that students are able to balance these tough topics with their inquiry about people of color, voices of women, art and dialogue. Tracking the discussion also helps ensure that all students are heard (I give everyone 2 pennies, so they all have to put in their 2 cents before someone can speak a 3rd time)
In months like December (or May/June), how do you engage students in the historical content in those 'heavier' moments in the narrative?
From this video on Harkness, Tan Huynh may be familiar to those who attended the OER Conference in March 2024. Check that out: here
Todd Nussen John Vidoli Kristin Rimal
