A good history lesson is like a stage play. The lighting, the actors, the set—it all works together to draw the audience in. But behind every great performance? Summer rehearsals.
Summer is when I plan my first few “acts” of the year. I always ask: What will hook them? Maybe it’s a simulation, a mystery envelope, or a provocative question like “Would you die for your country if your country didn’t exist yet?”
A few years ago, I started the year with a treasure hunt that led students to discover Hammurabi’s Code. Another time, I opened with a pile of artifacts—Roman coins, Mongol bows (well, toy versions), old maps—and just let students guess where we were headed. These kinds of launches take time to plan, but summer gives us that gift.
Use this time to gather props—literally or figuratively. Build out your Google Drive folders. Create graphic organizers. Find documentaries you actually want to show. Rethink your classroom flow. Is there a better way to group desks? A new system for collecting work?
Don’t worry about mapping the whole year. Focus on your first month. Think tone, structure, and that one lesson that’ll leave them saying, “Wait, history’s like this?”
Because once students are hooked, you’ve got them. And you’ll be so glad you took July to set the stage.
Happy teaching,
Ryan Wagoner The Lyceum of History
“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” ~Alexander the Great
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