History Time
A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

September 2021
Tours at the Kansas Museum of History
Due to changing COVID restrictions, please call ahead for guided tours.
Papel Picado is a traditional Mexican art form of colorful paper cutouts. The words papel picado mean “punched” or “perforated” paper. Originally Aztec people cut spirit figures into the bark of trees. This folk art evolved into elaborate designs cut into tissue paper. Banners of colorful papel picado can be found at festivals and parties throughout Kansas. Students can make papel picado banners using colored tissue paper, scissors, string, and tape or glue.
A set of Junior Wagon Master of the Santa Fe Trail activity booklets created by the Santa Fe Trail Association can be downloaded free of charge. After learning about the Santa Fe Trail and completing the activities, students can become official Junior Wagon Masters. There are four different activity booklets to choose from - Cavvy Edition (ages 5-8), Freighter Edition (ages 9-11), Bullwhacker Edition (ages 12-14), and Scout Edition (ages 15 and up).
The homes American Indians built in Kansas reflected their needs and lifestyles, available natural resources, and the environment they lived in. This trunk explores these housing styles with the tools needed to build them and scale models of structures. While the trunk can be used in any grade, this trunk’s lesson plans are for first grade and reinforce the use of natural resources in building a house, adaptation to the environment, and change over time.
HGSS Standard # 5: Relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic.

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 - October 15. This intermediate/middle school lesson on Mexican Vaqueros, the first cowboys in North America, is a great way to incorporate HGSS Standard # 5.
Students will learn that Spanish settlers in the 1500s brought horses and cattle to their new homes on the wide-open, grassy plains of Mexico. By the early 1800s, Mexican vaqueros worked on vast ranches in present-day Mexico and the southwestern United States. When the Civil War ended in 1865, there was a demand for beef in the eastern United States. Vaqueros worked with Anglo-Americans to drive large herds of cattle north to Kansas cattle towns. Many cowboy words we know today—such as rodeo, lasso, chaps, ranch—come from the Spanish language. This lesson will help students connect the dynamic relationship between the environment, economy, and different cultures.

Is Your Class Taking an In-Person
Field Trip This Year?
Please answer or you can email us with specific information.
Yes
No
Meet Our Staff: Austin Williams
Curriculum Coordinator
As curriculum coordinator, Austin Williams brings experience working with diverse learning populations in a wide range of settings. An educator, historian, and digital storyteller, Austin holds multiple degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, including a bachelor’s in history and master’s in educational curriculum and instruction. This coming fall, he will complete a doctoral degree in American history and educational leadership, policy, and foundations. In his free time, Austin enjoys directing documentary films, riding his bike, jumping rope, and camping across the great state of Kansas.
 
Are there any specific social studies topics you would like to see covered by KSHS? How can we best serve your needs as an educator? Feel free to reach out to Austin with any thoughts, questions, or requests at austin.williams@ks.gov.
Don't Forget!
Monarch Tagging classes and tagging opportunities are available in September.

Student Photo Contest entries are accepted through December 15, 2021.

State historic sites offer guided and self-guided tours. Financial assistance is available at some. Look for a site in your area.
The Kansas Museum of History guided tours provide 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.
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.