Bringing History to Life

First-Person Historical Presentations in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies

By (author) Ronald Vaughan Morris

Publication date:

16 June 2009

Length of book:

128 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

239x164mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781607092230

Imagine a Founding Father visiting a classroom today, or a sailor from the War of 1812, an Amish man, a 19th century pioneer, or even a Civil War veteran. Ronald Morris has spent more than 25 years bringing these characters into classrooms and inspiring other educators to do the same. In this book he synthesizes his vast knowledge and experience into a resource for all types of educators who help elementary and middle school children develop a love of history. Pre-service teachers can use this book as a model for developing their own styles of teaching social studies. Museum educators can use Bringing History to Life to enliven their presentations with students. Teachers in the classroom can use this resource to help their students develop first person presentations by reading about many examples across the grades. This resource is especially important as school districts reduce their budgets for field trips to popular museums that interpret history using this popular method. With this book as inspiration, educators can continue Bringing History to Life for their students.
Bringing History to Life is right on the mark for teaching primary, upper elementary, and middle school social studies. The first Person narratives engage an interesting method to gain students’ attention. Controversy and drama is the heart of history and the author carefully weaves controversial issues and drama throughout the text. Morris has extensive experience to draw upon in presenting dramatic first Person narratives. This method extends to students, parents, and others as presenters in first person narratives. The text includes reference to NCSS Standards, and teachers are able to relate national standards to state standards. The book’s documentation and suggested readings are invaluable to teachers.