History Time
A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

January 2022
Kansas Day 2022
Let us help you celebrate Kansas Day with video tours, enrichment activities, make and take projects, and more. Visit Kansas Day in the Classroom for these resources, and watch for a special Kansas Day edition of History Time later this month.
State symbols are a great teaching tool for Kansas Day, and the Ornate Box Turtle is one that not only teaches about state symbols but also about the impact students can have in politics. In celebration of Kansas’ 125th birthday a sixth-grade class in Caldwell decided to nominate the Ornate Box Turtle as the state reptile. Their lobbying campaign ended when Governor John Carlin signed the bill making it an official state symbol on April 14, 1986.
Historians are detectives. They look for history clues and they know the importance of asking questions. In “Get a Clue! Case #3 Grasshoppers Galore” students can test their detective skills. 
 
Cartoons illustrate the old saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” People have used cartoons to make fun of tough situations. In this lesson, students examine a cartoon, diary entry, letter, and reminiscence to learn more about the grasshopper invasion of the 1870s.
State Capitol Dome Video Tour
Take your students on a video tour of one of the most unique experiences in all of Kansas, a climb to the top of the Kansas State Capitol! Located in downtown Topeka, the Kansas State Capitol’s distinctive copper dome with its Ad Astra statue is a prominent feature of the city skyline.
 
This spectacular tour is breathtaking—literally—with 296 steps and no elevator. The elaborate architecture is highlighted with close up views of the inner and outer domes. The summit offers a unique perspective of the city of Topeka. 
Meet Our Staff:
Lois Herr, Educator
As an educator at the Kansas Historical Society, Lois Herr brings together her passion for history and teaching. She currently coordinates Kansas Day activities; the traveling resource trunk program; the monthly speaker series, Museum After Hours; and History Time: A Newsletter for Kansas Educators. In the past her duties at KSHS have ranged from creating special exhibits at the Kansas Museum of History to managing history summer camps to coordinating the state History Day program.

Lois received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science before attending Eastern Illinois University where she earned a Masters in Historical Administration. In her free time Lois enjoys spending time outside with her husband and dogs, visits with her children, weaving, and photography.
Don't Forget!
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.  
 
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Classroom Based Assessment Spotlight with the Kansas State Department of Education: For the 2021-2022 school year, the HGSS Assessment will be a required field test to be conducted by all districts in Kansas.

In this video, KSHS Curriculum Coordinator Austin Williams joins Adam Topliff with Wamego Public Schools and Nathan McAlister with the Kansas State Department of Education to discuss how you can use KSHS educational resources to conduct your HGSS-Classroom Based Assessment.
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.