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history activities for high school students

13 Ways To Make History Class Engaging For Students

Learn a variety of strategies on how to make history class engaging for students. Check out in this blog post.

History class is much more than reading out of a textbook. Use these 10 tips to help make history class engaging and relevant to your students.

This blog post contains affiliate links that are of no cost to the reader. If you make a purchase through the provided links this blog will receive a small commission to help with the financial costs of maintaining the site.

13 Strategies To Make History Class Engaging 

I hope you can use some of these 13 tips to help make history class engaging. As a history teacher, it is important to contact local historical sites, museums, organizations, and libraries to see how they can help enrich your program.

Try these lesson ideas to make history class fun.

Tip #1 Use QR Codes

This quick technology can be accessed with personal or school portable technology (phones, iPads, tablets). The QR code embeds information (text, URL, etc) into the code image. Students scan the code with a QR Code reader app and they unlock the information.

I use this in my classroom for introducing vocabulary words in a new unit or for students to access information in a different format. I try to make QR Code activities into scavenger hunts where they must locate the code before accessing information.

Tip #2 Incorporate Movement into Lessons

I love using the cooperative learning strategy called Four Corners. Around the classroom in each corner hang up four different answer cards such as Agree, Disagree, Undecided, and Need More Info (cards can be changed to align better with your lesson). Then ask the class a rich thinking question. Students move to the answer card area that best aligns with their opinion.

In this new opinion group, students discuss their ideas. Ensure that they know they will be held accountable for these discussions either through written or oral means. When first introducing this strategy it is a great idea to have a Need More Information section where the teacher can stand and provide support.

Tip #3 Add Drama

Activities such as Monologues, Wax Museum and Hot Seat make historical figures come to life in your classroom.

Try these lesson ideas to make history class fun.

Tip #4 Use Collaborative Discussion Strategies

Students are not always comfortable discussing in History classes due to their lack of subject area background knowledge. When we have class discussions I try to build up their knowledge and confidence by using strategies such as Think Pair Share or Four Corners Placemats.

Try these lesson ideas to make history class fun.

Tip #5 Bring In Primary Sources

Where possible bring in primary sources. Photos from the time period and archival documents can make history seem more authentic to students. Lots of internet sites (government archives) have access to these excellent pieces of history. A quick Google search will contain lots of ideas. Your local library, historical societies, and museums are also great places to look. Also, the New York Public Library has digitized a lot of pieces that could work in your classroom. You can also find great primary sources at Library and Archives Canada .

history activities for high school students

Tip #6 Picture Books

Do not discount the value of picture books in the middle or high school history classroom. Two of my favourite picture books for my Canadian history classes are The Cremation of Sam McGee and The Canadian Railroad Trilogy . The vivid images and storylines bring history alive.

Picture books can also be used to provide background knowledge prior to starting a unit. In English classes, I often use the book Teammates by Peter Golenbock as a mentor text, which discusses Jackie Robinson’s treatment as the first African American Major League Baseball player.

Picture books are fantastic literacy resources to help students learn about a variety of topics and reinforce literacy skills. I have used these picture books to help teach students about Residential Schools. Please purchase these books from Indigenous-owned bookstores.

  • When We Were Alone by David Robertson
  • Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
  • Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
  • When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
  • Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad
  • I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer
  • Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell
  • Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell

Tip #7 Browsing Bins

To help ignite and maintain a spark for historical knowledge, create a browsing bin of books related to curriculum topics. Ask your school librarian or media specialist if you can borrow books from the school library that relate to your current unit of study.

Keep these books in a special bin and in a highly visible area to encourage students to look through the materials and possibly check them out at the library. If your school does not have a library, visit your local library or contact any local historical associations to see what materials they can lend your classroom.

Tip #8 Historical Fiction

History classrooms are also literacy classrooms. Students engage each day with written text and make connections and inferences about the people they are studying. Keeping a good variety of historical fiction related to your topics of study can help students extend their classroom learning.

Some favourite books among my students are anything related to major wars or conflicts. The Dear Canada and Dear America series from Scholastic are great places to start for historical fiction. Here are some historical fiction book lists.  

  • Middle School Historical Fiction Books
  • World War Two Themed Novels For Middle School Students
  • World War Two Themed Novels For High School Students

Try these lesson ideas to make history class fun.

Tip #9 Assignment Choice

It is also important that your assignments have different choice options. Students feel more empowered about their learning if given the chance to produce works of their choosing. Providing choices about content and product is a great place to start.

My first major assignment in my Grade 8 History class is having students create a persuasive piece to encourage the British Colonies to join Confederation. Depending on the school year, students have been offered choices in the final product: pamphlet, website, slideshow, etc.

They can also produce the product in either the official language English or French. During historical inquiry assignments, students are given choice over what topics (from a list related to the curriculum expectations) they want to learn about. I match them with other students in the class who want to learn about the same topic.

For my inquiry assignment on Canada at the turn of the century, students can choose from a long list of topics ranging from technology and transportation to arts and culture.

Try these lesson ideas to make history class fun.

Tip #10 Artifacts

Last year, for one lesson I set up my classroom as an interactive museum. The unit was called Canada: A Changing Society 1890-1914 . I tried to find artifacts around my house and relatives’ houses that could potentially represent items from this time period.

I also printed off colour photos of daily living artifacts. Students had to circulate around the classroom in pairs and guess what the object was and its modern-day equivalent. The item that had most of the class confused was the manual meat grinder.

They definitely had a better understanding of the challenges of daily living from touching and seeing the different tools than if we had read about it online or in a textbook. Another year, while studying the settlement of Western Canada, I contacted a local museum and borrowed an educational kit that had replica items from the mid-1800s. Students loved seeing the toys and school materials from this time period.

Tip #11 Virtual Field Trips

The internet has changed the way I teach history. No longer are students only able to access information from library books, they can actually digitally visit the locations we are studying. This past year we used Google Maps to locate major battle sites and visit museum websites. Use Google to help locate interesting virtual field trips for your class this year.

Tip #12 Embrace Virtual Reality

Depending on your school budget Google Cardboard could be a very good investment. This small device allows students to download an app and view places in a virtual reality environment.

Try these lesson ideas to make history class fun.

Tip #13 Use Engaging Curriculum Materials

At the end of the day, you still need to cover the contents of your curriculum. By integrating some of these tips into your daily lessons you will make history class more engaging for your students. If you teach Canadian history check out these units by 2 Peas and a Dog which will help you keep your students engaged. I hope you use these strategies to make history class engaging for your students.

history activities for high school students

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history activities for high school students

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Kristy, I would like to know about your QR codes in history class. Can you send me some more information.

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Sure, send me an email using my contact for on the website.

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Use this Renaissance lesson plan and activities for middle school and high school to teach your students about this era of cultural "rebirth" in the 14th to 17th centuries.

November 27, 2019

Charlemagne Middle Ages Activities

Teaching World History: The Early Middle Ages—Worksheets and Activities

Use these downloadable resources to teach students about Charlemagne and the Early Middle Ages.

September 30, 2019

Ancient Greece Lesson Plan

Teaching World History: Ancient Greece—Worksheets and Activities

Known for its architecture, democratic system of government, and impact on science and the arts, ancient Greece is an important topic often covered in middle and high school social studies.

August 30, 2019

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Teaching World History: Code of Hammurabi Activity and Lesson Plan

Download these Code of Hammurabi activity and lesson plan resources to teach students the context surrounding the creation of the code of laws.

July 31, 2019

View more social studies activities for high schoolers . Or, you can check out our full list of free learning activities for all grades and all subjects.

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Top World History Resources for the Classroom

Students looking at a globe.

By The TFA Editorial Team

January 11, 2017

Whether you’re looking to kick your lesson planning into high gear or just need a few extra fun factoids and anecdotes to cap off your world history curriculum this school year, TeacherPop has a few suggestions to make the history of the world even more interesting for your students. Check out these top world history resources to keep your students at the edge of their seats!

SHEG’s World History Lessons

From Stanford History Education Group, these  world history lessons  are a great resource for students and teachers to use to learn and create engaging curriculum surrounding the history of the world. From the pyramids of Egypt to China’s Cultural Revolution, teachers can access detailed lesson plans on any number of interesting historical topics from all over the world. The fine folks at SHEG already have nearly 40 world history lessons available, and even more are on the way.

Children & Youth in History

There’s no better way to teach the history of the world to your students than from the perspective of children their own age.  Children & Youth in History  provides teachers the opportunity to scour primary sources about youth in history and even offers a  handy guide  for students on how to get started accessing the vast array of resources that have been collected.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

The  online exhibitions  housed on the website of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are a valuable resource for teaching students about the Holocaust. Teachers can create lessons around important topics like  anti-Semitism  and what  Jewish life  was like in Europe prior to the Holocaust. There are also a number of  online activities  and research projects students can participate in by accessing the museum’s collection of resources.

KidsPast.com

KidsPast.com  offers students and teachers the opportunity to “take a blast through the past” with a number of interactive games and online activities that make learning about history fun and engaging. And whether you’re creating a history lesson on prehistoric humans or the French Revolution, you’ll find KidsPast.com’s free online textbook to be an important tool.

History Channel

Looking to complement your history lessons with  video clips and audio  from celebrated speeches and interviews of the 20 th  and 21 st  centuries? The History Channel features a great collection of audio clips from some of the most famous recorded moments of recent history.

Teaching History

TeachingHistory.org  is perfect for students and teachers interested in learning how to think like historians. This site features plenty of lesson plan guides and other teaching materials to help teachers shape their world history curriculum into one that’s fun and engaging for both teacher and student. Be sure to check out their  website reviews  section for even more valuable resources for teaching your children about the history of the world.

PBS LearningMedia Crash Course

PBS offers the best in digital education with its  Crash Course  series on world history. Students can watch engaging and imaginative videos ranging in topics from the dawn of human civilization to the fall of the Roman Empire.

National Geographic

This famed magazine hosts a  wide array of articles on its website covering almost every imaginable facet of world history from the fall of the Soviet Union to the face of a 9,500-year-old-man. Take some time to browse its collection of engaging stories and features for great material to round out your world history lesson planning.

Do you have a favorite world history resource you utilize in your classroom? Share your suggestions on Facebook and Twitter and let us know. 

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TheHighSchooler

8 US History Games For High Schoolers To Play Online

Greetings, fellow adventurers of the past! Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the annals of history? Well, hold on to your hats because this is no ordinary trip down memory lane – we’re going to be playing games! That’s right, we’ll be testing our knowledge of the past, competing against each other to see who can be crowned the ultimate history buff.

But don’t worry, we’re not just going to be reciting boring facts and dates. We’ll be playing interactive games that will transport us back in time to experience historical events firsthand. Imagine being a soldier in the American Revolution, a citizen during the French Revolution, or even a gladiator in ancient Rome!

So gather your friends, form a team, and get ready to travel through time and space as we explore the fascinating and often surprising world of history. The past awaits us, and with these games, we’re going to make it come alive!

Online games to test your knowledge of US History

Calling all history buffs! Are you ready to put your knowledge to the test and explore the fascinating events of the past? Look no further than these 8 fantastic online history games that will transport you to different eras and civilizations. After all, knowing about the US and World history is often there on every freshman’s and senior’s bucket list .

1. Civil War Battles Digital Scavenger Hunt

Civil War Battles Digital Scavenger Hunt

The “Civil War Battles Digital Scavenger Hunt” is an online game that challenges players to find and answer questions about famous battles of the Civil War.

To play the game, players must navigate through a virtual battlefield, where they’ll encounter different clues and questions. Each question requires players to use their knowledge of the Civil War and its battles to answer correctly.

The game features a timer, and players must complete the scavenger hunt before time runs out. The game is suitable for high school students and offers an engaging way to learn about Civil War history while testing knowledge and critical thinking skills.

2. Halls of History

Halls of History

Halls of History” is an engaging online US history game that challenges players to answer questions on a range of topics, from the American Revolution to modern-day America.

To play the game, players must navigate through different rooms, each with its own historical theme. In each room, players must answer a set of questions correctly to progress to the next level. The game offers hints and explanations for each question, allowing players to learn as they play.

Suitable for high school students, “Halls of History” offers an interactive and enjoyable way to test US history knowledge while exploring the country’s past.

3. Sortify American Revolution

Sortify American Revolution

Sortify: American Revolution” is an educational game that challenges players to sort various items and events related to the American Revolution into the correct categories.

To play the game, players are presented with a collection of items, such as people, events, and documents, that are associated with the American Revolution. The goal is to sort these items into the correct categories, such as “Causes of the Revolution” or “Key Figures”.

The game provides feedback on each sorting attempt and offers historical context for each item. Suitable for high school students, “Sortify: American Revolution” offers a fun and interactive way to learn about one of the most significant periods in American history.

4. Sortify Native American History

Sortify Native American History

Step into the fascinating world of Native American history with “Sortify: Native American History” – an engaging educational game that challenges players to categorize a variety of intriguing items related to the indigenous peoples of North America.

Navigate through a captivating collection of artifacts, tribes, and significant events that are deeply rooted in Native American culture. The objective is to skillfully sort these items into their respective categories, such as “Native American Tribes” or “Important Native American Leaders.”

With immediate feedback on each sorting attempt, players are able to delve deeper into the historical context of each item. This fun and interactive game is designed for high school students and provides a unique and creative way to learn about the rich and diverse cultural history of Native Americans. This is also a good cultural diversity activity for the kids as it helps them understand more about various cultures across the globe and the country. 

5. American Civil War Sides Puzzle

American Civil War Sides Puzzle

Step back in time to the American Civil War with the “US Civil War Quiz” – an online game that challenges players to test their knowledge of this pivotal period in American history.

As the clock ticks down, players must answer a series of multiple-choice questions that cover everything from the causes of the war to the key events and major figures that shaped it.

This engaging and interactive game is designed for high school students and offers a fun way to learn about this defining era of American history. In addition to reviewing their answers, players can also deepen their understanding of the Civil War through the game’s rich historical explanations.

6. Up From The Dust Mission

Up From The Dust Mission

Up From The Dust is an immersive interactive game that takes players on a journey through the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s in the United States.

As high school students in Texas, players navigate the struggles of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, making choices that impact their character’s future. Along the way, they encounter historical figures and experience life as a sharecropper, all while dealing with the harsh realities of poverty and discrimination.

Through engaging gameplay and compelling storytelling, “Up From The Dust” provides a unique window into one of the most challenging periods in American history. Suitable for high school students, the game offers a rich and interactive way to learn about this significant time in America’s past.

7. City of Immigrants

City of Immigrants

City of Immigrants is an interactive game that invites players to step into the shoes of a young Jewish immigrant in New York City at the turn of the 20th century.

As they explore the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of the city, players must make decisions that shape their character’s journey and ultimately influence the course of their life. Along the way, they encounter historical figures and experience the challenges of immigrant life, from navigating language barriers to finding work and dealing with discrimination.

Through engaging gameplay and immersive storytelling, “City of Immigrants” offers a unique perspective on one of the most significant periods in American history. Designed for high school students, this game provides a creative and interactive way to learn about the immigrant experience and the impact it has had on American culture.

8. Who Is That? 

Who Is That?

“Who Is That?” is a fast-paced, engaging game that tests players’ knowledge of famous historical figures from a variety of eras.

To play the game, players must examine a series of clues and then guess the identity of the historical figure being described. With each correct guess, players earn points and move up the leaderboard.

Suitable for high school students, “Who Is That?” offers an entertaining and educational way to learn about a diverse range of historical figures, from political leaders and artists to scientists and activists. With a wide variety of clues and characters to choose from, this game offers a challenging and rewarding experience for anyone interested in history.

Learning history can sometimes be a daunting task, but with the right tools, websites , and resources, it can also be engaging and fun. These online history games for high school students offer a unique and interactive way to learn about some of the most significant events and figures in American and world history.

From testing knowledge of key historical events to immersive experiences that put players in the shoes of historical figures, these games provide a diverse range of engaging and educational experiences for high school students. By incorporating interactive gameplay and storytelling, these games make history come alive and help students develop a deeper understanding of the past.

Whether you’re looking to brush up on your history knowledge or simply looking for a fun way to learn, these online history games are a great place to start.

history activities for high school students

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These are nearly 500 student history worksheets in this package that cover all aspects of history, from Ancient Greece to World War One, World War Two, and the Cold War. The worksheets can be modified to accommodate K-12. Please feel free to share these on Pinterest or any other places where teachers’ resources are made available.  Included are full-color and black-and-white worksheets, word searches, quizzes, overviews, info graphs, diagrams, anagrams and activity sheets that provide everything you need to teach your class on any time period in history imaginable. Below are listed our currently available free student worksheets. More are to come.

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Classroom resources for Black History Month

history activities for high school students

Commemorate Black History Month in your classroom with lesson plans and resources that cover topics ranging from civil rights events to discussions about race in current events. These lessons are appropriate for history, ELA and social studies classrooms, and include resources for students in middle or high school.

The March on Washington basic resources | Resources

history activities for high school students

This resource page includes a quick guide to the March on Washington, an interactive timeline of the civil rights movement and a glossary of terms. Use these to get started on your classroom curriculum.

A history of discrimination and its consequences | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

In this lesson for middle and high school students, students analyze what "The American Dream" means and what role racial discrimination may play in failing to attain that dream.

“I have a dream” speech as a visionary text | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Help your students connect to the rich imagery of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech by learning the history of the speech and then illustrating some of its most famous lines in this creative lesson plan.

“I have a dream” as a work of literature | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s delivered his most memorable speech, “I Have a Dream,” on August 28, 1963 before more than 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

The Harlem Renaissance | Lesson Plan

Langston_Hughes_by_Carl_Van_Vechten_1936

Students will learn about the social, cultural and political circumstances which gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance. They will also learn about the influences that inspired the work of the Harlem Renaissance’s artists and musicians. Finally, students will be given several opportunities to create their own Harlem Renaissance inspired work.

Racial equality — How far have we come and how far do we still need to go? | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Martin Luther King., Jr. dreamed of an America where people could "not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Use this lesson plan to start a discussion in your classroom about where we are on the path to realizing this dream.

History of Juneteenth and why it's set to become a national holiday | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Explore and discuss the history and context around the Juneteenth holiday in the United States. Topics explored will include the history of racial injustice in the U.S., the Civil War and the limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation. Additionally, students will be encouraged to explore the modern significance of Juneteenth and its long-term impact.

Explore art and movement inspired by Jacob Lawrence's Migration series | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Have students engage in a "close reading" of a timeless Jacob Lawrence painting through art-making, observation and analysis, and learn about the history of the Great Migration in the process.

Teaching About Selma | Lessons and Resources from Teaching for Change

history activities for high school students

Try out these interactive lessons and recommended resources from

Teaching for Change

that invite students to step into the history and think critically and creatively about the continued fight for justice today.

Introduction to Selma | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Help introduce and engage students in the story of the March from Selma to Montgomery with clips from the film, "Selma", courtesy of Paramount Pictures. In the main activity, students will be asked to view three short videos about the March and critically think about the audience, message, and stereotypes seen.

Discrimination — fair or unfair? | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

Make issues of fairness, justice and discrimination personal to your students with this lesson plan, which includes an activity with Dr. Seuss! This lesson is designed for students for students who have difficulty with verbal or written expression.

Leadership at the March through music and speeches | Lesson Plan

history activities for high school students

While Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech became the most famous of the March on Washington, he was by no means to only person to address the massive crowd assembled on the National Mall. Use this lesson plan to look at the other civil rights leaders and orators who spoke that day and how effectively they conveyed their messages.

The March on Washington and its impact | Lesson Plan

Civil Rights Rally

In this lesson plan, students compare King's "I Have a Dream" speech to other famous texts in American history, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. This is a great addition to any speech, English or history class.

Analyzing "Stop and Frisk" through personal narratives and infographics | Lesson Plan

stopandfrisk1_slideshow

This Common Core-aligned lesson helps students explore the New York City’s “stop, question and frisk” program through videos, graphics and a news article. An engaging introduction creates a foundation to help students understand infographics and their utility as a cross-curricular tool.

Remembering Nelson Mandela | Lesson Plan

mandelacrop_630

In this lesson plan, students will use text from Mandela’s autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom” to connect with Mandela’s life and words. It also contains a 20-minute video from the PBS NewsHour to help students understand the magnitude of his life.

The Trials of Muhammad Ali | Discussion Guide

history activities for high school students

and discussion guide to pique students' interest in the story of Muhammad Ali, who was both an athlete and a defender of human rights. You can purchase the film on iTunes, but it is not recommended for class use due to language and some mature content unless it has been approved by you and your school to use in the classroom.

Student Reporting Labs "Race and Change" videos | Resource

history activities for high school students

Use this dynamic resource to get students thinking about Martin Luther King, Jr. and whether his dream has been accomplished today. These 12 high school students are part of PBS NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs and come from around the country.

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Historical Figures | History Activities & Resources

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10 Inspiring Black History Month Activities for Students

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Written by Laney Kennedy

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7 Black History Month topic ideas

Guidelines for teaching during black history month, 10 black history month activities for your students.

February is Black History Month : the celebration of African American history, contributions, and achievements that’s recognized annually across the United States and Canada. 

For teachers, it’s a great opportunity to teach with intention, honoring the tradition and showing students its importance, along with the importance of Black history and culture. 

And this year, it's more important than ever to uphold this tradition and celebrate Black history — no matter where your students are learning.

Use these 10 activity ideas to teach Black history all month and keep your students engaged, whether they're in-class or online!

Typically, teachers tend to stick with the same few topics during Black History Month: civil rights, historical Black leaders or celebrities, and important milestones.

While these are still great topics to explore, there are also plenty of other important concepts you should consider introducing to your students this year, such as: 

  • Current Black political issues
  • The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity
  • Stereotypes and microaggressions
  • The history and impact of Black culture
  • The history of hip hop 
  • African Americans and the Vote
  • Black Health and Wellness (this year's Black History Month theme!)

For Black History Month 2022, this year's theme is Black Health and Wellness. People are encouraged to explore how North American healthcare has underserved the black community and recognize the contributions to medicine and healthcare by black people.

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When teaching Black history, remember to: 

  • Follow the  do’s and dont’s
  • Always promote  diversity in your classroom
  • Remind students that  Black history  is  American history
  • Leverage Black voices as much as you can (use relevant media, invite guest speakers etc.)

P.S. If you want to help parents talk about Black history and racial issues with their kids at home, use these 8 tips for parents as a helpful resource to start with — including additional resources for anyone who wants to learn more.

Use these activities throughout the month (and the rest of the year) to keep Black history at the forefront of your lessons and encourage your students to keep learning more.

1. Quote or fact of the day

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.

Maya Angelou

Every morning, greet your students with a new quote or fact that’s relevant to Black history. 

Say them aloud during your lesson, add them to your bulletin board or send them in an online message (or all of the above, if you’re feeling ambitious). After this, you can open a discussion with your class about the relevance of each quote or fact.

Your students will love looking forward to what each day brings!

Try these: 

  • Black history facts
  • 15 Inspiring quotes
  • 5 Black history quote posters
  • Black history quotes - mini posters

2. Person of the day or week 

Take time to talk about Black influencers and their accomplishments. Highlight a different person every day or week and center your lessons around them!

Explore categories like:

  • Politicians
  • Historical figures
  • Heroes and iconic leaders
  • Scientists and mathematicians

Tip: Try to look beyond typical historical figures and popular celebrities. There are plenty of Black contributors students may not have even heard of yet — use this chance to introduce them! 

3. Black history trivia & games

Bring some fun (and maybe a little competition) into your lessons this month! Find trivia and games that focus on Black history, or repurpose other classroom games to incorporate Black History Month questions and answers.

  • Black history multiplication - true or false
  • Black history quizzes (these online quizzes are perfect for remote learning!)

Example of an online quiz that reads: Who was the only Black woman to serve as a U.S. senator?

4. Worksheet activities

Teach students about Black history while they work on fun activities at their own pace. Send worksheets to students online or print them out for independent classroom learning.

  • Black history coloring pages
  • Barack Obama crossword and trivia

A coloring page that says "Black History Month" in block letters.

5. Virtual events

Classroom learning is great, but there’s so much students can learn from their own experiences! 

This year especially, there are plenty of online activities and events celebrating Black History Month. So why not choose a youth-appropriate one your class can participate in?

  • National Museum of African American History: Classroom Connections
  • Black History Every Month: Virtual Events That Inspire Action, Education, and Connection

6. Timeline activity

Provide more context on important events in Black history with a bit of chronology.

Have students put together their own timelines, whether individually or in groups, that focus on specific historical events or people. They’ll have fun putting all the events together and learn lots along the way!

7. Study (and create) art

Art in the Black community carries so much historical and cultural significance that can inspire some great, illuminative lessons.

Examples of Black History Month art projects for kids.

Assign one of these activities from Creative Child , or get students to:

  • Write a story 
  • Make a video or podcast
  • Create visual art or crafts

8. Use relevant media

There’s so much good media out there to help you teach Black history — use it to your advantage!

Read books or watch videos with your class, then discuss the themes and lessons of each piece of media. After this, you can assign work based on them.

Try these books:

  • All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
  • The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

9. Host thought activities

Strengthen collaboration skills with various thought activities during February. These will get students thinking and help them learn new ideas and perspectives from each other. 

Start by posing a relevant question to your class, like: 

  • Why do we celebrate?
  • What does Black History Month mean to you?
  • How can we fight intolerance in our everyday lives?

Encourage plenty of participation, then discuss everyone’s answers together! 

10. Assign a  class project

Give your class a larger assignment they can work on for the entire month, like a collaborative media project or group presentation — like this one from The Core Coaches on Teachers Pay Teachers .

Example of a class project including assignments for

These bigger projects let students build on what they’re learning and work together towards something they can be proud of!

Additional resources

Get inspired by these extra resources to help you even more:

  • Black History milestones
  • Black History in the National Archives
  • Teaching tools for Black History Month
  • Black History in America teaching guide
  • Black History Month resources and lessons
  • 10 Picture book biographies to celebrate Black History Month
  • 20 Important lessons to teach kids about Black History Month

P.S. Want to make your math classes more engaging? Research shows Prodigy make math more fun and can even contribute to better test performance! Discover more about Prodigy's adaptive math platform today!

  • Grades 6-12
  • School Leaders

☘️ St. Patrick's Day Activities: Books, art ideas, experiments, and more!

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40 Black History Month Activities for February and Beyond

Celebrate and inspire with these Black history lesson ideas.

Examples of Black History Month activities including creating a history museum and discovering archaeological monuments

We know that Black history is American history and needs to be embedded into your classroom experiences year-round. At the same time, Black History Month provides the necessary opportunity to dig deeper with students. Every February, we can support students as they learn more, discover cultural impacts, and follow social movements from the past to the present day. These Black History Month lessons and activities cannot be isolated or one-off classroom experiences. Think of how you can connect these topics to what you’re already doing and make it authentic. And most important, do not just focus on oppression: Focus on the joy too!

Since 1928, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History has provided a theme for Black History Month. In 2024, the theme is African Americans and the Arts .

1. Learn the basics about Black History Month

Watch an introductory video about Black History Month. Then ask students to write their questions about Black history and use those to curate your resources and lessons for the month.

2. Re-create civil rights freedom posters

Recreate Civil Rights Posters for black history month

The Civil Rights Movement Veterans site offers powerful examples of freedom movement posters, as does the Civil Rights Digital Library . Review them with your students, and then have them get into groups and create their own to share.

3. Explore Black history through primary sources from the National Archives

people playing basketball black history month

Primary sources are great discussion starters to talk about Black experiences. Choose from thousands of resources , including this 1970s photo series of Chicago.

4. Learn about famous Black artists

5 African-American Artists Who Inspire My Students' Creativity

Future Jacob Lawrences and Elizabeth Catletts will appreciate learning more about artists and expanding their own talents. Plus, check out these other Black artists .

5. Watch a Black History Month video

Get more specific information or do a deep dive into an area of Black history with a video about civil rights, slavery, accomplished Black Americans, and more.

Check out this list of Black history videos for students in every grade level.

Collage of video stills from videos for Black History Month

6. Learn about Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter group protesting

The Black Lives Matter site explains the group’s history while books like Dear Martin and  The Hate U Give explore the movement from a fictional perspective.

7. Learn about the inventor of the traffic light

Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light and patented the three-position traffic signal. Teach students about his achievements as an example of how Black Americans impact our everyday experiences. Watch a video about Morgan and talk about what inspired his invention and how being an African American impacted him as an inventor.

Buy it: Garrett Morgan Activity Pack at Amazon

8. Create a newsletter or magazine with content from Black authors

Have your students generate their own newsletter or literacy magazine to distribute to parents. Include poems and short stories by Black authors, as well as student-generated writings and images that center on Black History Month.

9. Read a Black History Month poem

To enhance our conversations this month, we’ve put together this list of powerful Black History Month poems for kids of all ages.

10. Listen to young poet Amanda Gorman

cover of Change Sings

Amanda Gorman is another accomplished Black American and a great introduction to Black poetry. Watch the poem she read at Barack Obama’s inauguration, read her book Change Sings , and learn about her at Poets.org.

Buy it: Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem at Amazon

11. Turn your classroom (or school!) into a history museum

student being simone biles for a school project for black history month

Have your students choose a notable Black pioneer they’d like to know more about, such as voting rights and women’s rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, dancer Alvin Ailey, or Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest full-time national parks ranger . Then, host a living museum right in your classroom.

12. Decorate your classroom door for Black History Month

Turn your classroom door into an educational experience. Check out how these teachers decorated their classroom doors in amazing ways to showcase Black History Month, and review this video with ideas.

13. Read books with Black characters in honor of Marley Dias

Marley Dias lying atop books with Black female characters

Dias is a young activist who started the #1000blackgirlbooks campaign as a sixth grader. She has compiled an excellent guide to books with Black girl characters . Check out WeAreTeachers’ list of books with Black protagonists as well.

14. Learn the story of the Henrietta Marie

henrietta marie underwater memorial for black history month activity

The Henrietta Marie was a slave ship that sunk off the coast of Florida. Learn about the ship, its journey, and the underwater memorial that honors African slaves. Get more information about the Henrietta Marie at National Geographic.

15. Experience the I Have a Dream speech from multiple perspectives

a place to land cover

Read A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech that Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein. Then, watch the I Have a Dream Speech online, and explore resources about the speech at National Geographic . Engage students in discussing why this speech is so important in American history and why it continues to resonate today.

Buy it: A Place to Land at Amazon

16. Meet Oprah

Oprah Winfrey is a name every student knows, learn more about this influential Black American in this interview:

17. Read Black History Month books

Example of Black History Month books, including Young, Gifted and Black and The Undefeated.

If you’re looking for more reading activities, these picture books help celebrate Black History Month and educate your students on how these influential Black people helped shape history.

18. Learn the art of stepping

Black Women stepping

Stepping is a form of dancing in which the body itself is used to create unique rhythms and sounds. The website Step Afrika!  has videos and information about the history of stepping.

19. Take a virtual field trip to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Black and white photo from the Emmett Till Project

The digital collections of the Schomburg Center, located in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, feature some amazing online exhibits, interviews, and podcasts.

20. Virtually visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photo of Black women from the Smithsonian collection

You can browse the collection online by topic, date, or place.

21. Host a poetry reading featuring works by Black poets

Have students choose a poem by a Black poet to learn and recite for the class. Choose a student to serve as the emcee, write up a program, and set the tone with dimmed lights and jazz music played between performances. The Poetry Foundation has excellent resources that can help get you started.

Here’s inspiration with Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise:

22. Check out online Black history exhibits

Online classroom exhibits for Black History Month

Educating yourself and your students with these shows is one more way to understand Black history and the current moment.

23. Dive into Georgia Stories: Black History Collection on PBS

As a state, Georgia played a huge role in the 2020 presidential election, and its Black history dates back to the earliest days of slavery in the colony.

24. Discuss implicit bias, systemic racism, and social justice

Classroom lessons on Race, Racism, and Police Violence

Start a much-needed discussion around implicit bias and systemic racism with these resources that can empower students to fight for justice in our society.

25. Read and discuss Freedom in Congo Square

Freedom in Congo Square book for Black History lessons

The award-winning picture book Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie is a nonfiction children’s book that describes the tyranny of slavery to help young readers understand how jubilant Sundays were for slaves.

Buy it: Freedom in Congo Square at Amazon

26. Watch Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History

Netflix website screenshot for Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History

Kevin Hart highlights the fascinating contributions of Black history’s unsung heroes in this entertaining—and educational—comedy special.

27. Recognize Black visionaries

African American Visionaries classroom poster

This great poster featuring activists, artists, authors, and revolutionaries will highlight Black changemakers in your classroom. Use companion activities to deepen understanding by researching several of the visionaries and asking students to write a story or create their own poster about what they’ve learned.

28. Review a timeline of Black history

Black History month timeline

Why is Black History Month in February? How long ago was it founded, and who started it? Find the answers to these questions and learn more with this timeline .

29. Explore the music of Black artists

The history of African American music lesson plans for classroom

This lesson traces the long history of how Black artists have used music as a vehicle for communicating beliefs, aspirations, observations, joy, despair, resistance, and more across U.S. history.

30. Sample Black-founded snack brands

Examples of a variety of black-founded snack foods

Honor Black History Month with delicious snacks from Black-founded brands delivered to your classroom—5% of proceeds are donated to the Equal Justice Initiative and one meal is donated to Feeding America for every box delivered.

31. Understand the role of Black women in NASA’s history

hidden figures movie poster

How much do your students know about Black contributions to space exploration? Rent the film Hidden Figures and watch with your students to remember, honor, and share the incredible accomplishments of three Black women working on NASA’s space flight program. Before watching the movie, research the liberties the film took in telling the story and discuss with your students the function of the choices. Did the filmmakers make the right choices?

Watch it: Hidden Figures at Amazon

32. Support local Black-owned businesses

Research your city’s Black-owned businesses and see if you can purchase a sample of their products, invite some of the entrepreneurs to speak to your class, or book a field trip!

33. Stream Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices on Netflix

illustrations of a diverse range of family structures and their kids with the title Bookmarks written across the front.

“ Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices is a live-action collection of 12 five-minute episodes featuring prominent Black celebrities and artists reading children’s books from Black authors that highlight the Black experience.”

34. Celebrate the “Black Lives Matter at School” movement

black lives matter at school banner

“Black Lives Matter at School” is a national coalition organized for racial justice in education. It encourages all educators, students, parents, unions, and community organizations to join an annual week of action during the first week of February each year.​ For a variety of Black History Month activities, visit their website to learn more about their campaign .

35. Watch a historic moment

barack and michelle obama at the inauguration

When Barack Obama was inaugurated in 2009, it was a monumental day for Black History. Watch his inauguration and discuss what this meant for American history.

36. Analyze Hair Love

You can approach the book Hair Love by Matthew Cherry in a few ways. Talk about the importance of representation in picture books and media, have students share their connections with the story, or analyze the book as a story about modern Black families.

Buy it: Hair Love at Amazon

37. Study the Underground Railroad

before she was harriet cover

Examine the Underground Railroad using various sources, like the picture book biography Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome. National Geographic has a collection of resources about the Underground Railroad . And you can take a virtual tour of the Harriet Tubman museum.

Buy it: Before She Was Harriet at Amazon

38. Research Juneteenth

African americans during a juneteenth celebration for black history month activities

Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates the freedom of enslaved people. Learn about Juneteenth , how it came about, and what it means to Black Americans with these National Geographic resources.

39. Listen to musician Rhiannon Giddens

As she was trying to understand and make sense of violence against Black Americans in 2020, folk musician Rhiannon Giddens wrote and released the song “Build a House.” The song came out on the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth. The song, which was made into a picture book, captures 400 years of Black history in a lyrical and thoughtful way. Use Giddens’ book either to introduce or wrap up a month on Black history.

Read an essay about the song , and watch the video.

Buy it: Build a House at Amazon

40. Study the pivotal court case Loving v. Virginia

Mildred and Richard Loving from the Loving v Virginia case

Loving v. Virginia, decided in 1967, made marriage between people of different races legal. Learn about the Loving decision and why it’s important at National Geographic.

Plus, get inspiration from these Black History Month bulletin boards for your classroom .

Want more articles like this subscribe to our newsletters to find out when they’re posted.

Celebrate the art, poetry, music, inventions, and contributions of Black Americans with these Black History Month activities.

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Black and white still image of Black teen girls, as an example of Black History Month videos.

55 Black History Videos Everyone Should Watch

For elementary, middle, and high school. Continue Reading

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Black History Month Activities for Adults

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: February 12, 2024

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Black History Month serves as a poignant reminder of the rich cultural heritage, struggles, and triumphs of African Americans. While much of the focus during this month is on educating the younger generation, it’s equally important for adults to engage in activities that deepen their understanding and appreciation of Black history.

Black History Month activities for adults offer a pathway to explore the complexities of African American experiences, achievements, and contributions to society. These activities provide a platform not only for celebration but also for reflection, learning, and meaningful dialogue.

From attending panel discussions with leaders and innovators to participating in genealogy workshops, this post will explore a variety of activities designed to enrich adults’ understanding and engagement with African American culture and history, ensuring that the celebration of Black History Month becomes a comprehensive and inclusive experience for all ages.

Related: Black History Resources for Teachers

Let’s explore some practical ways for adults to celebrate black history month:

1. Organize a Book Club Featuring African American Authors

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Organize a book club that focuses on works by African American authors, spanning genres from historical fiction and memoirs to contemporary discussions on race and identity. Select a mix of classic authors like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, alongside contemporary voices like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brit Bennett. Encourage discussions not just on the content but on the historical and cultural context, inviting guest speakers or scholars to deepen the conversation.

2. Visit to African American Museums or Historical Sites

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Plan a visit to a museum dedicated to African American history, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., or local historical sites significant to Black history. Many museums also offer virtual tours, making it accessible for those unable to travel. These visits can be powerful, eye-opening experiences, providing a deeper understanding of the African American struggle and triumph throughout history.

3. Attend or Host a Film Screening and Discussion Series

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Curate a list of black history movies and documentaries that explore African American history, culture, and experiences. Host screenings followed by guided discussions or panels featuring local historians, activists, or educators. Films like “Selma,” “Fences,” and “Just Mercy” can spark important conversations about civil rights, systemic racism, and the power of activism.

4. Participate in a Cultural Workshop or Cooking Class

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Engage in workshops that explore African American culture through art, music, dance, or cuisine. Participating in a cooking class that teaches the history and techniques behind traditional African American dishes can be both an educational and enjoyable way to celebrate Black history. Similarly, workshops on African American music or dance offer insight into the cultural expressions that have significantly shaped American culture.

Related: Black History Month Activities for Kids and Elementary Students

5. Support Black-Owned Businesses and Artists

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Make a conscious effort to support Black-owned businesses and artists, not just during Black History Month but year-round. This can include shopping from Black-owned bookstores, dining at Black-owned restaurants, or attending performances and art shows by African American artists. Supporting these businesses and artists directly contributes to the growth and sustainability of Black communities.

6. Volunteer for Organizations that Support African American Communities

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Dedicate time to volunteer for organizations and projects that are committed to uplifting African American communities. Whether it’s mentoring, participating in community clean-ups, or offering professional services pro bono, volunteering is a tangible way to make a positive impact and honor the spirit of Black History Month.

7. Engage in Dialogue and Educational Workshops

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Attend or organize workshops and seminars that focus on issues of race, diversity, and inclusion. These can be opportunities to engage in open, honest dialogues about race relations, systemic racism, and how to be an ally. Educational workshops can also provide historical context to current issues, helping participants understand the roots of systemic inequalities and how they can contribute to positive change.

8. Organize or Attend Panel Discussions with African American Leaders and Innovators

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Organize or attend panel discussions featuring African American leaders, innovators, educators, and activists. These discussions can cover a wide range of topics, including leadership, innovation in technology and business, social justice issues, and the arts. Hearing firsthand from those who have made significant impacts provides inspiration and deepens the understanding of the multifaceted contributions of African Americans to society.

Related: Black History Month Activities for High School Students

9. Host or Attend an African American Poetry and Spoken Word Night

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Host or attend an evening dedicated to African American poetry and spoken word, celebrating the powerful voices of poets like Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and contemporary poets like Amanda Gorman. This can be an open mic event where participants are encouraged to share their own pieces or favorite works by African American poets. Such an event allows for a profound exploration of the emotional and cultural experiences articulated through poetry.

10. Participate in or Host Genealogy Workshops to Trace African American Ancestry

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Participate in or host workshops aimed at tracing African American ancestry. These workshops can provide resources and tools for individuals interested in uncovering their family history and the broader narrative of African American migration and heritage. Learning about one’s lineage offers a personal connection to the past and a deeper understanding of history.

11. Visit or organize African American Art Exhibitions

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Visit or organize exhibitions that showcase African American art, from historical pieces to contemporary works. This can include painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, highlighting the rich artistic traditions and innovations of African American artists. Art exhibitions can serve as visual narratives that explore themes of identity, struggle, resilience, and beauty.

12. Engage in Community Service Projects in Honor of African American Heroes

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Engage in community service projects that honor the legacy of African American heroes. Projects can be themed around the values and causes associated with figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, or Harriet Tubman. This might include initiatives focused on education, social justice, or community development, reflecting the enduring impact of these leaders on society.

13. Organize or Participate in Storytelling Sessions on African American History

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Organize or participate in storytelling sessions that bring to life the stories of African American history. These sessions can focus on lesser-known historical figures, cultural folklore, or significant events in Black history. Storytelling offers a unique and engaging way to connect with history, emphasizing the human experiences behind historical facts.

14. Attend or Create Networking Events Focused on African American Professionals

Black History Month Activities for Adults

Attend or create networking events aimed at connecting African American professionals across various industries. These events can foster community, mentorship, and collaboration, providing a space to celebrate achievements and discuss challenges faced by African Americans in the professional world. Networking events can also highlight pathways for young African Americans seeking careers in different fields.

Related: Best TED Talks on Black History Month

Final thoughts

Engaging in Black History Month activities for adults is crucial for fostering a well-rounded and deep appreciation of African American history and culture. The activities outlined in this post, ranging from book clubs and museum visits to poetry nights and community service projects, offer diverse and enriching experiences that encourage adults to explore, reflect, and celebrate the significant contributions of African Americans.

history activities for high school students

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history activities for high school students

Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

history activities for high school students

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Eden Prairie Local News

EP students celebrate 100th day of the 100th year of school

Juliana Allen

Celebrating the 100th day of school is a long-standing tradition at Eden Prairie Schools, but this year was made extra special since it’s also the district’s 100th anniversary.

On Feb. 13, students and teachers across EP Schools’ campuses centered the day’s learning on themed activities such as finding 100 unique words, making colorful crafts, and engaging in historical research to create connections from the past to the present.

history activities for high school students

At Prairie View Elementary, several “100-year-old” students hobbled through the hallways, dressed up as their future selves in white and gray wigs, old-timey clothes, and even walkers and canes.

history activities for high school students

Students working with Stacy Natal, a reading interventionist at the school, looked at books, posters, and signs around their room to find and write down 100 different words. Natal said the fun activity helped her first grade students build confidence in their reading skills while collaborating with each other.

“It helps them realize they already know how to read many words, and it also allows them to practice their sight words,” she said, adding that her older students would be doing a vocabulary-building activity.

history activities for high school students

CMS students’ science word hunt competition, heritage site research

At Central Middle School, Doug Welch’s seventh grade science students also had a “100 words” based competition. Their task was to see who could find the most science-related words using letters from the term “deoxyribonucleic acid.”

After racking their brains and scribbling down words, students took turns saying one of the words they found. Anyone who couldn’t offer a word that hadn’t already been said was challenged to do 10 jumping jacks or five pushups.

Students found over 25 words, from “carbon” to “X-ray,” before the first student laughingly agreed to do jumping jacks.

history activities for high school students

Down the hallway, social studies teacher Rachel Spessard guided eighth grade students in her World Geography class as they researched heritage sites in Eden Prairie.

“You’ll be using your critical thinking skills to make connections between past and present,” Spessard told her class.

Using Google Earth on their iPads, students dropped a pin on their location and a pin on the heritage site they chose, and drew or measured a path between the two. They then compared the area’s current state with its past.

Students then researched and described the history of their chosen site, recording information such as when it was built, its purpose, and who lived or worked there.

They then examined and described what is currently located at that heritage site and what that land and space are used for today. Students also recorded their predictions of what they thought might exist there in 100 years.

Spessard encouraged the students to interpret their findings and share them in a creative way with classmates. One student was working on a rap about “then and now,” while other students were considering options, including making an iMovie, a slideshow, a dance, a poem, or a diorama.

“I really want these students to know where their community is and how they are connected to it,” Spessard said. “I thought if they could know more about the history of it, that would build connection.”

For instance, Spessard said that some of her students like to go to Smith Coffee & Cafe, located in the historic Smith-Douglas-More House. “I thought if they could see the old pictures of it and learn more about what it used to be, they would feel more connected to it,” she said.

history activities for high school students

Spessard said she felt creating this connection was especially important for her students who may have moved here recently from other cities or countries, and who had no idea about the history of Eden Prairie.

She said the 100th-day lesson also dovetailed nicely with the course curriculum.

“In this class, we study human geography, physical geography, economics, and government, so in addition to the historical aspects, we pulled in those things too with questions like, how has the economy and culture changed in that area, how have the physical features of the area changed, and so on,” she said.

Cedar Ridge students explored EP and world history

At Cedar Ridge Elementary, Kadee Ruhland’s fifth graders presented their findings from recent research that connected and compared moments in Eden Prairie’s history to what was happening elsewhere in the world at that time.

Topics shared included Eden Prairie Schools’ founding in a one-room building in 1924, improvements to the town cemetery in 1934, the dedication of the new city hall in 1964, and musician Prince’s studio sessions at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in 1984.

Students compared these with world events such as the 1924 Paris Summer Olympics, the 1944 D-Day Allied invasion of France, the 1964 Freedom Summer civil rights and voter registration project in Mississippi, and the 1994 Northridge Quake in Los Angeles.

To do their research and create their projects, Ruhland said, “They had to look at what was important to them and filter through information online. It was also important that they presented in front of the class. Standing up and speaking in front of your peers is kind of a big deal, and they did a really good job.”

history activities for high school students

When asked about his favorite part of the project, one student said, “The history.” He added that he loved learning and reading about “stuff that happened a long time ago,” including religion, wars, mythology, and sporting events.

Another student agreed, saying, “I really liked the research. I liked finding out what was going on and finding out more details about it.”

Students said the project made them want to learn more about Eden Prairie history, as well as world history. “It was super fun learning about what happened 100 years ago,” another student said, adding that it was interesting to see how both Eden Prairie and the world have changed.

Students said they liked learning about what Eden Prairie students did at school 100 years ago.

When asked if they had any predictions about what EP Schools might look like in another 100 years, some suggested new technologies like automated desks with embedded keyboards and chargers and, overall, a more “futuristic” experience.

“Like the Jetsons,” Ruhland joked, prompting one student to ask, “Who are the Jetsons?”

history activities for high school students

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8 Reading Activities for High Schoolers That They'll Actually Enjoy

Reading and writing skills are important at any age, but we know it's not always easy to keep older kids engaged. Reading activities for high school have to be really compelling to compete with all the other things vying for teens' attention. These fun literacy activities will have them putting down their phones and picking up their pencils.

Need to Know Literacy is a broad term used to describe skills related to reading and writing. While much of the focus on literacy takes place in elementary school, there's definitely a need for continued development of skills at all grade levels.

Fun Reading Comprehension Activities for High School

There's no denying that a major component of literacy is reading comprehension, or the ability to make sense of the words on a page. The thing is, it's not always an easy thing to teach because it's such a broad topic. Students need to understand different kinds of texts across many aspects of life including work, home, and family.

These activities help you zero in on specific aspects of reading comprehension while keeping kids' attention.

Create a Quiz

Instead of having students take quizzes or tests after reading a novel, we love the idea of allowing the students to create the quiz. A test is meant to see what a student has learned after studying specific materials. This activates a student's ability to remember information, but it doesn't do the job of teaching reading comprehension.

Creating a quiz will make students think more specifically about what information was important and how to examine whether someone else has learned that information. This is a tricky way to teach reading comprehension because they have to work hard to know the material before they can write a quiz about it.

Preparation:

Create a list of short stories appropriate for your class

Instructions :

  • Ask each student to choose a short story from your approved list.
  • After reading the story, challenge students to create a comprehensive quiz about the story. Quizzes can be no less than 10 questions and no more than 20. Questions can cover a variety of topics such as characters, plot, and theme.
  • Once the quiz is complete, have students create an answer key.
  • Assign the selected stories as homework, or read and discuss them as a class. Use the student-created quizzes to gauge individual understanding of the story.

Online Profile of a Villain

We love this creative literacy activity that really lets kids get into the details of characters. The concept is simple; readers must select a book based only on a fake online profile created using its content. There are no cover images, author names, or plot summaries visible. This is fun way to get students focused on understanding characters and reading outside of their comfort zones.

An awesome bonus is that a student will need to consider all context clues if they hope to find a book in their preferred genre. If they end up with a genre they might not choose, they get to see how they feel about it (it might just be a new fave).

Preparation: 

  • Ask each student to think of a book they would recommend to a friend. Supply reading lists if necessary.
  • From the chosen book, each student should then write a character summary of the most villainous character.
  • You'll need to have card stock and markers on hand.

Instructions: 

  • Using the character summary, students should create an online profile of the villain. Remind students that a profile highlights positive qualities so they will need to put a positive spin on any negative traits.
  • Write the completed profile on the piece of card stock. Illustrations and creative text techniques are allowed to enhance this new cover for the selected book as long as they do not include an obvious clue as to the villain's identity.
  • All students should place their completed book covers at the front of the room.
  • Choose an order and have students select a character that they might want to learn more about. The book they select will be the next reading assignment.

World Mapping

Many children's stories and fantasy books have a map of the fictional world included. These maps can provide a fun backdrop for a unique listening and reading comprehension activity. Students will be challenged to hear their partner above all others and interpret their words into an image.

Need to Know Active listening skills are an integral aspect of adolescent literacy and a big component of reading comprehension. Listening not only involves hearing a word but also interpreting its meaning, and that's great practice for understanding and processing what you read.
  • Select two to five "other world" maps illustrated in popular fantasy books, like Winnie the Pooh or Lord of the Rings .
  • Prepare a step-by-step script of directions for drawing each map.
  • You'll need to have blank paper and colored pencils for each pair of students.

Instructions:

  • Separate the class into pairs. Give one person from each pair the script and the other person a blank paper and colored pencils. It's suggested that no two groups have the same world.
  • All pairs should start the activity at the same time. This will create a loud atmosphere full of distractions.
  • To start, the script reader should begin telling his partner the directions in the correct order. The person with the paper will need to listen to his partner, follow the directions, and create a world map.
  • Once all maps are complete, groups with the same script can show a comparison of their world map.
  • Open a discussion about what part of the activity was most difficult and why.

Activities to Connect Literacy and Modern Media

Viral videos, countless social media platforms, and entertainment flood the lives of teenagers today, but reading and writing don't have to compete for attention with them. We love the idea of incorporating all kinds of media into reading activities for high school to entice teens to participate and help them expand their knowledge to real life.

Make Your Own Photo Meme

Our phones are absolutely flooded with photos these days, and Instagram is a fixture at this point. Memes are all about combining words with photos, and coming up with the right words is a big part of literacy. The goal of this activity is to give students some light-hearted practice at writing. Students will be challenged to come up with text on the spot, but the humorous nature of the photos should help keep stress levels low.

  • Print funny images from the internet, leaving space on the paper to write under the image. On the back of the image write a genre such as romance, dystopian, science fiction, comedy, drama, or mystery.
  • Give each student one image and a few minutes to examine it.
  • Instruct students to write a funny sentence or two describing their image as it pertains to the given genre, basically creating their own meme. For example, an image of a kitten wrestling a rabbit with the word "mystery" on the back might prompt a caption like "I'm not kitten. Somebunny got hurt, and we need to find out whodunnit."
  • One by one, ask students to share their meme with the class.
  • After each speech, have the class guess what genre the meme would fit in.

Re-Tweet Poetry

Communicating effectively without a ton of words is a skill that can take some practice. On X (previously known as Twitter), the limited character count of posts challenges writers to get a point across in a concise manner.

Preparation :

Assign a poem to each student. Have the students read the poem before the activity.

  • Familiarize the class with the guidelines for X, namely the maximum character count of 280.
  • Students must first rewrite each stanza of the poem to fit into a single 280-character post while still conveying the tone, mood, and point of the stanza.
  • Once the entire poem has been rewritten as a series of tweets, students should create two hashtags to accompany the posts. The hashtags should relate to either the theme, title, or author of the poem.

Analyze Song Lyrics

Teenagers live by their soundtracks, maybe even more than they did in previous generations. Incorporating this love for music into a lesson about comprehension and writing can be pretty powerful. Students will need to interpret the meaning behind song lyrics, specifically if there is one controversial message that stands out.

Ask each student to choose a favorite song and submit it ahead of time. Check lyrics for availability and appropriateness before approving students' song choice.

  • Present each student with a copy of the lyrics for their chosen song.
  • Ask each student to write a literary analysis essay using the chosen song.
  • As an added learning experience, you could ask students to present their song and analysis to the class.

Activities to Focus on Words and Their Meanings

Vocabulary lessons can be incredibly dull and boring when they involve memorizing lists and reciting them back to the teacher. The thing is, being familiar with an extensive vocabulary can help students sound more professional in adult settings. These fun activities can help.

Beach Ball Vocab Lesson

Active lessons are awesome when you need to gain and keep the attention of teenagers. This age group is best suited for an active in-class game because they should be able to keep on task while having fun.

  • Use a permanent marker to create distinct sections on a beach ball, create as few or many as needed.
  • In each section, write a command dealing with the use of a vocabulary word. Some examples would be: change to an adverb, define the word, use it in a sentence, think of a rhyming word, and think of another word with the same root.

How to Play:

  • Instruct students to sit on their desks or have all the desks arranged in a circle before game play.
  • Write a vocabulary word on the white board, call out a student's name, and throw them the ball.
  • The student should then shout the answer to whichever prompt is closest to their left thumb as it pertains to the word on the board.
  • If the student answers correctly, the teacher should choose a new vocab word before the student calls out a classmate's name and throws the ball to that person. If the student answers incorrectly, the same vocab word is used and the ball is thrown to the next player.
  • Continue game play until all vocabulary words have been used or time is up.

Comic Strip Scene

Comic strips offer a place to showcase an entire story in very few words (plus their just really fun). This activity will require students to tap into their creativity and vocabulary skills in rewriting a scene from a play.

  • Scenes from a play
  • Blank paper
  • Colored pencils or markers
  • Assign a scene from a play to each student.
  • Instruct students to create a comic strip inspired by this scene. The purpose of the comic should mirror that of the scene, but the tone should be humorous as that is typically how comic strips are written. The basic idea is to capture the essence of the scene in images and only a few choice words. No text from the scene should be copied in the comic aside from character and location names.
  • Display and discuss the comic strips as a class. What were some of the most effective ways a particular scene was portrayed?

Connect the Dots and Have Fun

The best reading activities for high school involve covering a wide variety of skills related to the use of language. Help high school students prepare for successful adulthood by incorporating different activities that include each of these skills, but don't forget to have fun at the same time.

high school students reading

IMAGES

  1. 13 High School World History Worksheets / worksheeto.com

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  2. the words awesome us history worksheets for middle and high school

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  3. Free American History School Page Print-Out Worksheets

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COMMENTS

  1. Lessons & Activities

    Date Posted: 11/15/2017. In honor of America's entry into "The War to End All Wars" in 1917, World War I: Lessons and Legacies explores the war and its lasting impact and far-reaching influence on American life. From the Great Migration to the 1918 flu pandemic and from the unionizat.

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    These are nearly 500 student history worksheets in this package that cover all aspects of history, from Ancient Greece to World War One, World War Two, and the Cold War. The worksheets can be modified to accommodate K-12. Please feel free to share these on Pinterest or any other places where teachers' resources are made available.

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    13 Colonies 1850s America Age of Exploration in America American Revolution Atlantic Slave Trade Civil Rights Movement Cold War: 1945-1962 Common Sense Constitutional Convention COVID 19 Pandemic Declaration of Independence Election of 1800: Jefferson vs. Adams Emancipation Proclamation Events Leading Up to the American Revolution

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    Create Lessons Customized Dashboard Get More Features Free Find supplementary resources for US History lesson plans. Motivate your students with videos and games aligned to state and national standards.

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    Here are some of our suggestions for Black History Month activities for high school students. 1. Black History Videos. Curate a list of impactful TED talks on Black history and culture. After watching a selected video in class, engage students in pre- and post-viewing discussions. Prepare questions that encourage critical thinking about the ...

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