Contact your local school board and set up a time to observe several history classrooms. Take a notepad with you and jot down the following observations: (1) What teaching methods (lecture, visuals, video, puppets, etc.) did the teacher use? (2) How did the students respond to each teaching method? (3) What was your overall response to the lesson (bored, interested, excited)? In addition, be sure to note any ideas or techniques that you would like to incorporate into your own teaching.
Search the Web. The Internet has innumerable sources for finding ideas on teaching history. Many of these sites have complete lesson plans which include a materials list, student objectives, class procedure, and an assessment activity. No two sites are alike, so conduct a wide search and bookmark any sites you feel will be advantageous to you.
Keep an eye out for lessons that include student interaction. Students (especially younger ones) enjoy the opportunity to take part in the lesson. Often, the students sit in their desks for hours with nothing to do but listen to lectures. One of the best ways to make history important to your students is to allow them to approach it in a "hands-on" manner. Many ideas can be found online, but some examples are: (1) Act out wars and battles. (2) Use craft items to allow students to create memorable places such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (3) Assign a historical character to each student and have the student keep a journal, writing in it as if he were the historical character. (4) Use songs and chants to learn difficult lists such as state capitals and the names of Presidents. (5) Allow the students to write their names using Egyptian hieroglyphics. There is no limit to the number of ways your students can get involved.
Integrate other subjects into your history lesson. One of the most common complaints students have about history is that it isn't relevant to today. By integrating other subjects into your history lessons, you'll show the students that it is not only relevant, but important. As you search the Web for information, pay particular attention to ways to incorporate other subjects. For example, you could explore the scientific element of buoyancy while learning about the Titanic. You could use your math skills to calculate casualties during any given war or natural catastrophe. You could use the journal method to aid the students in their composition and creative writing. It may take a little more time and preparation, but the effort will definitely be worth it.
Create a list of visuals that you can use in your classroom. These can include pictures, slideshows, videos, cutouts, bulletin boards and posters, as well as objects such as a globe, a compass, or an artifact. Many online sites include links to videos and PowerPoint presentations that you can use in your classroom. If your classroom has Internet access, you can also use online games to enhance the learning experience. The more variation you have in your teaching methods, the more attentive your students will be.