A visit from an actor appearing as an historical figure gives students a chance to interview him about his life, his choices, his accomplishments and ask questions about the character's personal experiences, important events of his time and reasons for his key decisions. Choose the historical figure and have students write letters inviting him to visit the classroom. Brainstorm a list of questions that the class would like to ask to help the actor prepare accurate answers based on known historical facts. Either you or a volunteer assistant, such as the principal, another teacher, an aide or a local actor then dresses up in historical costume on the day of the visit and adopts the speech and mannerisms of the time period while interacting with students and answering questions.
Hold an historical dressup day, letting each student choose an historical figure and come in costume. Each student introduces herself as the character she is portraying, highlighting common experiences from her life to which other students can relate. She also describes how her life experience prepared and influenced her actions in the events that made her famous. You may also choose to have the character comment on modern developments in the issues that shaped her time.
Every generation has its heroes but children may be unclear on what makes a hero. Discuss who modern and historical heroes are and what makes them heroic. Compare the qualifications for hero status today versus heroes of the past. Ask each student to choose an historical figure and prepare a speech about what makes that person a hero and why. Another option stems from the modern tradition of putting pop culture heroes on cereal boxes. Have students imagine historical figures on cereal boxes with a brief bio and description of their hero qualifications on the back. Each student designs the front and back panels of the cereal box and glues the panels to an actual cereal box for display.
Historical figures often live on in song and rhyme and so are known even to those students who rarely open a history book. Take advantage of the educational possibilities in rhythmic language by having students write songs and poems about historical figures. Have an "open mic" day of historical poetry readings and musical performances.
History was unfolding for thousands of years before the students were born so no matter what a child's birthday, chances are that something happened to someone famous on the same day at some point in history. Students may choose to focus on the actual day, the birth year or what happened on that day or month throughout history. Research the birth date, month or year for well known historical names that share the same birthday or did something important during that time. Have students make posters detailing the historical figures and events associated with their birth dates.
A guessing game makes an enjoyable way to review the historical figures you have covered during the year. Attach a brief description of an historical figure to each student's back without letting her see who it is. Tell students to mingle and ask other students yes and no questions about which historical figure she has. The game continues until every student guesses the name on her back.
Imagine that an historical figure travels through time to the current year and needs to find a job. Based on known facts, education and accomplishments, draft a resumé that highlights his experience and skills. Ask students what kind of modern job their historical figure might qualify for based on the resumé.