History Time

A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

December 2025

Kansas Day 2026: Registration

Kansas is turning 165 on January 29, 2026! Have you and your students been Kansas Day regulars? Are you looking for the perfect excuse to visit the newly renovated Kansas Museum of History? Then join us for a day filled with make and take activities, reenactors, music, demonstrators, and of course, Kansas history. Let us know if you're planning on coming by registering at the link below.

Can't make it but still want to celebrate? No problem! A variety of resources are available at Kansas Day in the Classroom to help teach your students about Kansas. This includes materials related to Kansas symbols, state government, the Capitol, notable Kansans, and more!

Kansas Day 2026: Edventure

Join us virtually on January 29, 2026 to celebrate Kansas Day with a full day of free live virtual sessions designed for PK-8 students and available through Wichita Public Schools Edventure Program. All classrooms throughout the state are welcome and encouraged to participate in these FREE programs.

These thirty-minute sessions will feature popular topics in Kansas history and allow students to interact with presenters through live question and answer periods. If your class cannot engage with the live sessions, no need to worry! They will be recorded and accessible after each program. The 2026 Kansas Day Edventure website is coming soon!

Standards Based Lesson:

Holidays in Kansas

HGSS Standard #3: Societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups.

This third grade lesson is designed to teach students about eight holidays celebrated by different cultural groups in Kansas. Using information from the Read Kansas! cards, students will practice sequencing instructions for a food recipe or a craft item relating to that holiday. Making the craft and food item can be an extended activity. The lesson is organized seasonally so it can be used throughout the school year to teach about the holidays.

Make and Take: Wizard of Oz Puppets

Since the release of The Wizard of Oz (1939) over 80 years ago, Kansas has become almost synonymous with Dorothy and her friends. These easy-to-make puppets provide a fun opportunity for students to learn more about Kansas. Students can start by comparing Hollywood’s depictions of Kansas to reality. How much does the silver screen get correct? Use the puppets to connect Dorothy’s farm to today's commercial agriculture. Turn the puppets into a STEM lesson by learning about weather patterns in Kansas. This is a great activity to celebrate Kansas. After all, there’s no place like home!

Don't Forget!

State Historic Sites now have free admission! Look for one in your area. Call ahead as some are only open seasonally.

Read Kansas! lessons are available free of charge for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students while supplies last.

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.

The Kansas Museum of History is now open! Guided tours begin after February 1, 2026.