Think Like a History Detective! (Resource Links and FREE Lessons!)

Are you struggling with developing engaging lessons for your middle and high students focusing on historical thinking skills? There are lots of great lessons online (and free), you just need to know where to look! A few of my favorite go-to's for great historical thinking lessons are Facing History and Ourselves, The Stanford History Education Group, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Zinn Education Project, and the PBS series History Detectives.

Two years ago I modified a resource from the PBS series History Detectives: John Brown's Spear. I shared the episode with my 6th graders and together we worked through the lesson. The lesson went very well. My students were engaged, and many eagerly shared their observations and insights. It was wonderful to see. Last year I used the lesson with a different group of 6th graders and again, it was a hit!

If you are unfamiliar with the series, each episode focuses on two or three "history mysteries." Our "history detectives" are scholars in the field who utilize historical thinking skills and techniques as they attempt to solve various historical mysteries.

When I incorporate the program into my lessons, I share the clips focusing on content/topics we are studying. I stop periodically for questions and discussion. I also allow time for students to complete their history journals.

I developed a digital resource that includes all components of the lesson (anticipatory set, video link, and historical journal.) I share this resource with students in their Google Classroom. (See below for pictures of each slide of my digital resource.)

History "Journal"

If you are interested in this lesson (John Brown's Spear) you can find it HERE (digital version).

History Detective lesson, "Spoils of a Peace Chief."

History Detective - Suffrage Pennant free lesson, click HERE.

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