History class is more than just reading from a textbook. History is a record of mankind’s journey from when they first arrived on the planet to when they waged battles for kingdoms and ushered in the era of technology. Because it contains all of the ingredients of a potboiler, it should be a subject that youngsters are eager to learn. However, for most pupils, history is one of the most uninteresting courses in school. Of course, walking into a class and seeing a sea of blank faces is discouraging for a teacher. Here are some ideas for increasing student involvement in history classes.
10 Ways to Make History Class more Engaging
Use visual media to supplement your teaching
One advantage of teaching history is that filmmakers have an undying passion for the topic. As a result, there are many historical films accessible. Following the viewing of the film or television program, you and your students might hold a conversation about the historical correctness of the film, as well as the sections they loved and related with.
Roleplay
As a History teacher you should engage your students in the historical period if you want them to be engaged. Roleplaying is an excellent method to get children involved and learn about different periods of history.
Consider assigning each student to choose a historical figure from the period and write a speech complete with a costume. Again, students are more likely to become involved when they see their peers engaged.
Find entertaining information to discuss during history class
Some historical issues are inevitably dry. Teaching kids about the American War of Independence, the Boston Tea Party, and other historical events, for example, might be a test of patience since there is nothing that connects India to these events. As a result, kids have little interest in studying these events.
So, how may these subjects be made more interesting? You may teach them intriguing information about yourself while teaching them. But, of course, what constitutes an intriguing fact relies on you and your students.
Trips to the Field
Bringing history students into the environment they’re learning about is one of the most effective methods to engage them. Take your students on a field trip to a museum that includes world war II relics if you’re teaching about world war II history. Simply removing your students from the traditional classroom learning environment and placing them in a different visual environment may drive interest.
If you can’t arrange a physical field trip, try taking a virtual one. Many museums provide virtual tours for students to learn about history when they cannot visit the museum in person. Simply immerse your students in a historical setting that allows their perceptions to engage with your lecture.
Use entertaining memory aids to help students remember dates
There are an infinite number of dates in history that must be remembered. Yet, seeing a list of them might be incredibly unsettling. So, how can you assist your students in remembering them better? One method is to use memory aids, which converts information into a form that the brain can recall more easily.
Transform History Class into Stories
Each historical epoch is fundamentally a tale in the grand scheme of things. Rather than mandating textbook reading, turn it into Storytime. It is far simpler for a student to learn when immersed in a tale than reading line after line of tedious text.
Your students can readily interact with the tale when there are visual, audio, and emotional signals. You may make this historical character into a live, breathing person to whom your students can relate.
Group Discussion
Understanding history entails examining it from your point of view. Group discussions are an excellent tool for students to boost their learning about the historical period and raise questions about topics they don’t grasp. The more active you can get the team, the more conversation they’ll appreciate.
Suggested – How And Why Group Discussion Is Important In Teaching
Treat history as though it were a live news segment
While much of history’s attraction stems from the fact that it occurred a few hundred years ago, for many, this is also history’s largest drawback. It is unusual to hear a youngster say, “But that occurred so long ago, I don’t need to know that !” To avoid such objections, as a history teacher you should approach historical events as if they were current happenings.
And give the information to your students in the manner of recently acquired catchphrases or current events. Instead of gloomy expressions, you should have eager faces listening carefully to every word if you present your course in this manner.
Choose a few key topics to concentrate on
Choose only a few significant themes and/or subjects to focus on while planning the history lesson curriculum. Rather than trying to cover everything, concentrate on strategies to develop important knowledge. While you must follow some institutional guidelines.
It is difficult for you to teach your students all there is to know about a history lesson. Students will have more opportunities to think critically about and comprehend the past if they go further into select themes or issues.
Simplify Things for Students
Maintain simplicity. Begin your journey through history by giving your students a broad overview of what they’ll be learning. It’s easy to get too narrow too quickly. Instead, summarize the period and emphasize the important events and persons. To introduce a history lesson plan to your students, use an introduction exercise such as a map or a wide chronology.
Conclusion
You must still cover the elements of your curriculum. However, incorporating some of these ideas into your everyday teaching may make history class more engaging for your students. Join us at Classplus, where we provide engaging and cutting-edge technologies to make teaching easier. Get your own app and reach out to a larger number of students across the country. To know more, connect with us and talk to our experts now!
