Students tend to shy away from literature that is focused on history, because they don t think it will be interesting. This is why I have chosen to look at colonial America. This is a part of history that is not only significant to the beginning of our country, but a good way for children to look at how society and technology has changed since the 1500s. In looking at colonial America, students can also explore racism, gender roles, and different cultures. Students need to understand why it is important to respect diversity.
History is a great way to teach students to learn from past mistakes.
Wendy Towle, a fifth grade teacher, explains that she asks students to play historians. History seemed so far away from their everyday lives. Towle had her students inspect artifacts, like newspaper articles and pictures. They would work in teams to uncover the history of where these pictures or articles took place. This is only one way to help students make a connection with history.