Bringing History to Life: First-Person Historical Presentations in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies

by Ronald Vaughan Morris

Overview

Imagine a founding father visiting a classroom today, or a sailor from the War of 1812, an Amish man, a nineteenth-century poineer, or even a Civil War veteran. Ronald Vaughan Morris has spent more than twenty-five years bringing these characters into classrooms and inspiring other educators to do the same. He has synthesized his vast knowledge and experience into a resource for all types of educators who help elementary - and middle school-aged children develop a love of history. Pre-service teachers can use this book as a model for developing their own styles of teaching social studies. Museum educators can use Bringing History to Life to enliven their presentations with students. Teachers in the classroom can use this resource to help their students develop first-person presentations by reading about many examples across the grades. This resource is especially important as school districts reduce their budgets for field trips to museums that interpret history using this popular method. With this book as inspiration, educators can continue "bringing history to life" for their students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2901607092246
Publication date:	06/16/2009
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Ronald Vaughan Morris teaches elementary and early childhood social studies methods to graduate and undergraduate students at Ball State University.

Table of Contents

List of Tables v

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction ix

1 Introduction to First-person Presentation 1

2 Second Grade Presidents' Day 15

3 Third Grade at Simmons School 25

4 Fourth Grade Civil War 37

5 How First-person Historical Narrative is Conducted by Fourth and Fifth Grade Teachers 53

6 Sixth Grade at Hope, Indiana, Cemetery 73

7 Third and Seventh Grade Texas History Walk 93

8 First-person in an Eighth-Grade Unites States History Classroom 105

9 Conclusions 131

Appendix I Historical Clothing 139

Appendix II National Council for the Social Studies Standards 143

Index 145

About the Author 157

Editorial Reviews

Morris makes a clear case that historical understanding happens best when it is experienced.. .. Morris's book is a successful primer on first-person characterizations. His accessible prose and helpful examples further the breadth of evidence that inquiry-based, experiential education methods are successful for students of all ages.

AASLH History News

Dr. Morris brings to life important images of history in his latest contribution to the education of our youth. From Civil War characterizations to Indiana cemetery tales and strolls through Texas history, his procedures for application in the classroom are clear and concise. Sustaining democracy, Dr. Morris focuses on multiple perspectives, controversies, and engaging intellectual pursuits. He ignites interest in and passion for learning by creating realistic, historical cultures through practical, imaginative intersections. Dr. Morris has designed helpful classroom lesson plans for enabling students to implement authentic research and adventurous first person narratives.

Karen Kimball

Bringing History to Life is right on the mark for teaching primary, upper elementary, and middle school social studies. The first Person narratives engage an interesting method to gain students’ attention. Controversy and drama is the heart of history and the author carefully weaves controversial issues and drama throughout the text. Morris has extensive experience to draw upon in presenting dramatic first Person narratives. This method extends to students, parents, and others as presenters in first person narratives. The text includes reference to NCSS Standards, and teachers are able to relate national standards to state standards. The book’s documentation and suggested readings are invaluable to teachers.

Ronald G. Helms Ph.D

Heavily researched, as evidenced by references throughout, it reads easily and can be viewed as a handbook for elementary and middle school teachers.... I found this book to be a viable presentation for approaching the teaching and learning of social studies in an innovative manner.

Childhood Education

Dr. Morris' book proves that, as an effective way of teaching history, first person presentations need not be restricted to the carefully recreated environments of living history sites. His concrete examples and thoughtful questions demonstrate the successful use of first person presentations, sure to be of value to teachers and other educators.

Brent W. Tharp

Morris has synthesized his vast knowledge and experience into a resource for all types of educators who help elementary and middle school aged children develop a love of history.

Ball State University Star - BSU Star Press staff report

Morris makes a clear case that historical understanding happens best when it is experienced. . . . Morris's book is a successful primer on first-person characterizations. His accessible prose and helpful examples further the breadth of evidence that inquiry-based, experiential education methods are successful for students of all ages.

Winter 2010 AASLH History News