History Time
A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

April 2022
Students acquire critical thinking, scientific inquiry, problem solving, cooperative learning, and citizenship skills through their use of the Project Archaeology curriculum. These materials are designed to bring archeology principles to the classroom for students in grades four through seven. Each unit offers a student magazine, student journal, and teacher guide. They are free to download and a great way to celebrate Kansas Archaeology Month. Download these high resolution PDFs below:
Encourage your students’ literacy development by listening to a Kansas alphabet book and making one that is uniquely their own. Alphabet books help students unlock the symbols of language, connect knowledge to other sources, and become independent readers and writers.
 
Join Kansas students from across the state in reading the well-known children’s book S is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet written by Kansans Devin and Corey Scillian and illustrated by Doug Bowles. Then have students or your class create their own My Kansas ABCs book.
HGSS Standard #5: Relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic.

Each year people observe Earth Day to learn about protecting and sustaining our planet Earth. Studying the Dust Bowl in Kansas is a great way to teach how problems can occur and how people can work together to solve them. The Dust Bowl in Kansas enables students to use primary sources to learn about what caused the Dust Bowl and how Kansans adapted to environmental changes. This free middle and high school Nearpod.com lesson can be teacher-led or self-paced for students. Students will use historical thinking skills as they actively engage in “doing” history.
The Kansas Journey 3rd Edition

Are you a 7th grade teacher looking for quality curriculum for teaching Kansas history? The 3rd edition of The Kansas Journey, authored by KSHS Executive Director Jennie Chinn, was released in 2021. This textbook is tied to the Kansas Standards for History, Government, and Social Studies and includes a Teacher Resource Package and a multitude of curriculum materials.
 
We’re proud to announce that The Kansas Journey recently won the 2022 Textbook Excellence Award for K-12 Social Studies from the Textbook and Academic Writers Association. Information on purchasing the textbook can be obtained through Gibbs Smith Education.
Meet Our Staff: Joy Brennan,
Museum Educator
For schools who frequently take field trips to the Kansas Museum of History, Joy Brennan has probably scheduled your visit, greeted your group, or served as tour guide for your students. As a museum educator, Joy also coordinates our History & Environmental Fair, and works with our team to create fun and exciting Kansas Day celebrations, special events, and exhibit openings. During the pandemic, Joy shifted to greeting groups virtually instead of in person. She now continues to conduct in person, virtual, and video tours.

Joy is a native Kansan and grew up in Beloit, in North Central Kansas. After attending college, she moved to Topeka for her first job at the Kansas Historical Society. Forty years later, she’s still here. Some of her favorite projects have included working with Kansas artists, traveling the state to help produce special exhibits, and conducting oral histories.
Don't Forget!
State Capitol Visitors Center offers guided tours. Self-guided brochures are available for those who want to explore on their own.

State historic sites offer guided tours. Assistance with admission and transportation costs are available at some. Look for a site in your area.
 
Kansas Museum of History provides visual and hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages.
 
A variety of virtual tours, videos, and Nearpod lessons are available to use in your classroom.  
 
Traveling resource trunks are available to borrow. Reserve one now for the school year.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Opens March 1, 2022 – Registration for the June 3-18, 2022 Kansas Archeology Training Program Field School at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Registration is open through May 31. It is limited by activity each day on a first come, first served basis. Several classes are offered to volunteers including Historic Preservation, Kansas Prehistory, and Geoarcheology. New participants at KATP must take the Principles of Archeology course which follows the daily orientation.


Shop online at our Museum Store and discover a variety of Kansas made items and historical resources. Members receive a 10% discount in the museum store.
Support the Kansas Historical Society and our educational programs by becoming a member. You will receive a quarterly magazine, discounts on merchandise, and free admission to the Kansas Museum of History and our historic sites.