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What Then?

Students will pick a historical figure and learn about some of the events and inventions that took place during this person's lifetime.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Construction Paper
  • Tape

Steps

  • Step 1

    When students study notable figures from history they learn about their life. They'll find out where they were born, what they accomplished, what their legacy was, etc. But what else was happening in the world around them? Ask students to choose someone from history to research, then have them find out about the time period in which they lived. What were some of the inventions of the time? What important events occurred? What famous books were published then?

  • Step 2

    Ask students to create an accordion-style book to display some of the highlights of the time period. They can use several pieces of construction paper that they fold in half and tape together. Have them describe the person and events in both written and illustrated call-outs. These elements can be created on separate pieces of paper, cut out, and glued to the book.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to present their books to the class and talk about the person they picked and the events and creations they chose to call out.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Read, reconstruct, and interpret the past. Imagine the future. Place oneself in various times and spaces and reflect on change. 

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Use data to analyze human behavior in relation to its physical and cultural environment.

Adaptations

Challenge students to write a story describing how a person from history might react to modern-day life. Would Walt Disney adapt to the use of CGI and AI? Would Shakespeare write sonnets in a word doc or a PowerPoint?

Ask students to create a personal accordion-style book that depicts activities, foods, hobbies, etc. that they enjoy.