What a fascinating lesson plan (and a way to get students out during these last few weeks of school.)

Find postcards from the past in your area and go and recreate the photograph today to compare the differences. This is a great lesson in both history but also photography. (And you could incorporate how photography as changed as well.) If you work with a local historical society, then you are “flattening” by removing classroom walls and linking up with others. “Use video or digital still photography to enhance lessons on local history and historical change. Students locate historic photos and then re-shoot at that location using a video or still camera.

The combined photographic research will record changes that have impacted a community, give students a perspective on the history of an area, and contribute to a communities’ historic record.

This post links to a downloadable lesson plan to do this activity.

Topical studies are great. The London Marathon just happened and  marathons are increasing in popularity here in the United states. Here is a video about the marathon, but also lesson plans about the Battle of Marathon, information on training to improve fitness and just what it takes physically to train for a marathon. Health and history lessons here.

A great question developed from an award winning website. You can integrate this into what you may have already been doing around the Titanic. This is a “court case” and can be used to teach about the judicial process and hold a mock trial. I love this idea.

Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday is April 15. You can study him as a person with the videos and lesson plans here but also the Renaissance as he’s called the original “Renaissance Man.’ Here are materials for teachers to discuss this time in history, art, science, and so many other things.

The anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is Sunday. Here are over 400 lesson plans, IWB’s, PowerPoints, and resources to use with classes of all ages. (just filter by age on the left) You can review and teach history, reading lessons, just about anything around this event and it will be interesting as they are seeing it on the news now.

Many teachers are teaching about the Titanic right now and this lesson will help you lead into a discussion about the leaders and countries involved in World War 2. It is designed for grades 4 and 5 but with the graphics you could adapt it for your needs. (Downloadable)