History Time
A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

December 2021
Symbols help provide Kansans with a sense of place and identity. They serve to unite us, giving Kansans a shared identity regardless of our diverse individual backgrounds. They provide central themes for all to celebrate and are useful as tools for teaching Kansas students about the state they call home. Official state symbols have the seal of approval from the state legislature and the governor. They are written into Kansas law. Students have an opportunity to make a My Kansas Symbols Book highlighting some of the official Kansas state symbols.
On January 29, 2022, Kansas celebrates its 161st birthday! Educators across Kansas use this opportunity to teach students about their state. A variety of resources are available at Kansas Day in the Classroom that help connect students of all ages to Kansas. This includes materials related to Kansas symbols, the State Capitol and government, and notable Kansans. A myriad of experiences await you there:

All of these, plus make and take activities, standards based lessons, guided tours, and much more is available to help you create a truly unique and wonderful Kansas Day for your students.
Historians are detectives. They look for history clues and they know the importance of asking questions. In “Get a Clue! Case #2 Dusty Days” students can test their detective skills. 

Many events have been recorded in the pages of local newspapers. Students look at an article from 1935 to answer questions and determine what caused the Kansas dust storms in the 1930s.

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Kansas Memory:
The KSHS Online Repository

Kansas Memory was created by the Kansas Historical Society to share its historical collections via the Internet. The value of the site is in its rich content - letters, diaries, photographs, and government records from the State Archives, along with maps, museum artifacts, and historic structures in Kansas.
 
Watch this tutorial on how you can use Kansas Memory to incorporate a wide variety of primary sources into your classroom.
Standards Based Activity:
Holidays in Kansas
HGSS Standard #3:
Societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups.

The holidays are a great time to teach cultural diversity. In Read Kansas! lesson P-16 “Holidays in Kansas,” students will explore customs related to holidays and ceremonies celebrated by eight different culture groups in Kansas. Crafts and recipes included.
Meet Our Staff: Nikki Klarmann
Public Outreach Archeologist
Nikki Klarmann is the Public Outreach Archeologist at the Kansas Historical Society, where she addresses public inquiries about potential artifacts and sites, plans the annual Kansas Archeology Training Program field school, presents to various schools and social groups on Kansas Archeology, and serves as the State Coordinator for our Project Archaeology curriculum. Nikki earned her Bachelor’s in Anthropology from Baylor University and Master’s in Anthropology from Michigan State University, where she is currently a doctoral candidate.

Nikki loves getting to speak to students, teachers, and the public about the archeology of Kansas. Nikki enjoys baking, walking, and spending time with her husband, two-year-old son, and their 14.5 year old golden retriever. Questions about archeology programs, curriculum, and presentations can be sent to Nikki.Klarmann@ks.gov.
Don't Forget!
Student Photo Contest entries are accepted through December 15, 2021.

State historic sites offer guided tours. Assistance with admission and transportation costs are available at some. Look for a site in your area.
 
The 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.
New in the Museum Store, A Vote for Susanna reveals the true story of what happened in 1887 when a group of men in Kansas put a woman's name on their city's ballot as a joke to discourage women from voting.

Author Karen Greenwald’s research for this book included census records, newspapers, congressional records, Mayor Salter’s letters, and interviews with family members. A teacher’s guide and a Girl Scout guide are available on the author’s website.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
December 3, 2021; 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.; "Nacho" Average PD

Join KSHS Curriculum Coordinator, Austin Williams, and the Kansas Council for the Social Studies to network with social studies teachers in your area. In-person events happening in Topeka, Lawrence, and Wichita. Look for details at kansascouncilss.org.
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.