Whether you have an online bachelors degree in early childhood education or you work with teens, finding ways to make lessons hold their attention is a crucial part of a teacher’s field experience. One way to make world history more interactive and interesting for young students is to incorporate activities and games into the curriculum. This can help to keep them engaged and interested in what they are learning. Some fun and easy activities that early childhood educators can use in a world history lesson for young children include:
Host a debate.
Debating world history can be a great way to help students learn and understand the different aspects of this complex subject. There are a variety of topics that can be explored in this coursework, from the origins of civilization to the impact of colonialism.
To get started, each student can be assigned a different topic to research. They can then present their findings in a debate format, with each side arguing for and against the resolution. Games such as “Jeopardy!”, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”, or “The Price is Right” can be used to review key historical facts and concepts. These games can be played by students individually or in groups—moderated by instructors, of course. They can also be used for review before a test or to see if students have learned the material.
Screen a film.
As a class, watch documentaries or historical films together and discuss the events that took place. This can help to provide a more in-depth understanding of the subject matter and also help to develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, it can help to foster a sense of community within the classroom as students discuss and debate the events shown in the films.
Publish a periodical.
In this activity, students will create their own newspaper or magazine covers that report on historical events. They will need to come up with a catchy headline and design a cover that is both informative and visually appealing.
This can be a great way for students to learn more about important historical events, as well as to develop their design skills. It can also be a fun project to work on with a group of classmates.
Take a field trip.
There are many benefits to visiting local museums or historical sites. For one, it can give you a more personal connection to the people and cultures who have shaped world history. By seeing the actual artifacts and relics from these cultures, you can get a better understanding of their history, their customs, and their way of life. One student might love learning about Scandinavian culture, knowing they have viking DNA in their lineage. Other learners might be fascinated by matters of local history.
In addition, museums and historical sites can be great sources of information for research papers or projects. By exploring these places, you can learn a great deal about world history, and you may even come across a new interest or hobby.
Build a scale structure.
When most people think of ancient landmarks, they think of structures like the Colosseum in Rome or the Parthenon in Athens. But what about all of the other ancient landmarks around the world? There are so many, and each has its own unique story to tell.
Construction paper and cardboard are ideal materials for creating a model of an ancient landmark. They’re both easy to work with, and they can be used to create a wide variety of shapes and textures.
Write and perform some skits.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to writing and performing skits or plays about historical events or figures. By choosing a specific event or figure to focus on, you can help your students better understand the complexities of history while also having a lot of fun!
By incorporating fun and interactive activities into their world history lessons, elementary students will be more engaged and likely to learn more. These activities can help to make the material more interesting and exciting, and they can also help to teach important skills such as teamwork and creativity.
