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Chapter 1 -The History Chapter

We can examine the real people, their times, societies, choices, and actions that shaped not only their own reality but may have had lasting impacts on the future.

History must be told through the voices and perspectives of all its stakeholders.

-Bring History & Civics to Life

Resources & Links

History Matters (...and so does coffee)

Check out Dr. Joanne Freeman's weekly history conversations helping us understand how the past affects our present and the challenges and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Facing History & Ourselves

Read more about how to use historical empathy to help students process the world today.

Dr. Katie Perrotta

Listen to Katie discuss the importance of Historical Empathy on the Let's K-12 Better Podcast.

New Zealand History

Check out the resources that New Zealand is using to foster historical empathy with students.

Elizabeth Jennings Project

Learn more about historical empathy as an instructional method in H-SS classes.

Explore PBL

​A teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

Try One New Thing Challenge

#TryOneNewThingChallenge 

Investigate the History Matters (...and so does coffee) archives, find a topic that relates to your classroom content and reflect upon  how you can apply your new insights and understandings in your classroom.  Join on Friday mornings at 7am PT/10am ET to watch Dr. Freeman's webcast live. Enjoy the history conversation with the History Matters community. Be sure to say hello in the chat, your new HM friends will be thrilled to welcome you.

#TryOneNewThingChallenge Background:

In order to help guide you on this journey, we have provided* easy-to-implement ideas that can have a lasting impact on your classroom. You don't have to do everything, just try one new thing. Tag us on Twitter @BringHistoryToLife using the hashtag #TryOneNewThingChallenge. We'd love to connect and celebrate with you!

*Easy-to-implement ideas provided throughout our site,  Jump Start guide, and  book: Bring History and Civics to Life, Lessons and Strategies to Cultivate Informed, Empathetic Citizens

ISTE Standards

ISTE Student Standard 3: Knowledge Constructor:

Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.
o 3d: students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.


ISTE Student Standard 7: Global Collaborator:

Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally.
o 7a: Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual understanding and learning.

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