History is easily encapsulated into good, bad, positive, and negative. However, when you are living through the historic events, the experiences are much more complex and interesting.
To dig into history and increase the excitement level, do your best to encourage students to build empathy for those living through the events.
1. Consider Family Connections
In the early days of the American colonies, leaders in Massachusetts were working to build a theocracy. Roger Williams of Rhode Island fought this.
As an Anabaptist, Williams suffered a great deal of religious persecution and lost family members to burnings in England.
2. Study Regional Impact
When planning out a 7th grade history curriculum, it is important to study the regional impact of historical events. Check out the curriculums at Adobe Education Exchange for more resources.
The Battle of Gettysburg happened where it did because the Confederate soldiers needed shoes, and rumors ran wild through the ranks.
3. Personalize the Events
One of the big challenges in the history of the United States was the Great Depression.
Many families who tried to farm during the dust bowl had to put away enough food in the summer to survive the winter.
If stocks were low in the fall, some older children had to be sent out into the world to find work where they could and send money back. Many families were able to reconnect, but some families never heard from their older children again.
4. Consider Alternatives
If your class is studying a war, take a look at alternative historical fiction options. There are many depictions of an alternate ending, such as Man in the High Castle, either as a novel or a TV series.
5. Study the Losers
Take a look at what happened in Mexico at the end of the Mexican American War. The cultural changes and limitations that impacted the nation of Mexico at that time have continued to this day.
6. Review What is Going On at the Same Time
If you are studying ancient Egyptian leaders such as King Tut, take a look at what is happening in the rest of the world.
For example, when King Tut was born, the Druids were in charge in Britain.
7. Consider Non-Military Advancements
It is easy to study history from the military view. However, there are many events in history that had no connection to the military but made a huge difference for many.
For example, refrigeration made a huge difference for a lot of people, from ice harvesting to compressors.
8. Tools
Use old tools and consider the hazards of older technology. If your region has a granary or a farmers cooperative, see if someone can bring in a scythe or a flail.
The ability to raise enough to eat has been a constant challenge until very recently. Learning how such tools work can be extremely interesting and easily tied back to a slice of bread.
9. Look at Old Technology
Having a cellphone, also known as a computer in your pocket, makes it easy to forget just how rapid technological changes have changed our lives.
For perspective, it is important to note that the computer that guided the Apollo 11 mission weighed more than seventy pounds.
10. Study the Original Use Vs. Future Expansion
There are some interesting events that triggered huge changes over time. While we humans are dealing with overpopulation as a problem, the addition of antibiotics to our lives made that possible.
The ability to ship iron via train in 1804 made the expansion of European settlers across the United States within less than sixty years.
History is a field of study that is in constant expansion. Keeping students interested can be easier if things are personalized for them. Additionally, viewing alternate histories can increase interest.