How to teach History
I’ve never been very good at History. One of the hardest classes I had in College was a history class. Before this class I had used flash cards to help me remember dates and people. In this class I had to know the history. The tests were all essay tests. We had four during the year but only the final exam counted. What you made on the final was what you made in the class. I think my final exam was 23 pages long and my hand was cramping by the time I got finished with it.
I think learning history involves a few different things including: reading well and being able to take an essay test.
I like this article about teaching history – but other things as well.
http://www.improve-education.org/id43.html It is a long article but has some great content.
Favorite quote –
Unfortunately, most teaching is like a single thin coat of paint. Do you want a pretty piece of furniture? You’ll need two or three coats of paint. Five is better. Rolls Royce puts 20 coats of paint on its cars! That’s how they build up a deep lustrous shine.
– end quote
Also like this – I believe, if I were teaching American History, I’d teach the whole subject in the first hour. Put six marks across the top of the blackboard–1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000. Five minutes on what the Spanish and Portuguese did that first century. Then … (read the article – they break it down very well.
A great site with tons of History teaching links –
http://hnn.us/articles/875.html
Excellent tips for answering an essay question – and helping your students do it.
http://www.johndclare.net/how_to_write_an_essay.htm