Featured this blog:
China and the United Nations, Patriot Act, New York City Subway, Statue of Liberty, Genghis Khan, Anne Frank, Halloween History and Customs
Share an event which happened on each day in history with your students and use the online free resources to help your students gain background information.
October 25, 1971, the United Nations voted to accept the People’s Republic of China (mainland China) and voted out the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The one minute, forty eight second video of AP is devoted to the UN General Assembly vote to dismiss Taiwan and instead admit mainland China.
October 26, 2001, Congress approved the Patriot Act.
The Bill of Rights Institute offers free primary-source based resources for teachers. After a free registration, teachers may search their lessons for resources. The lesson Liberty and Security in Modern Times has students explore the significance of protection and the issues related to search and seizures of the Patriot Act.
October 27, 1904, the New York City subway opens. Students read about the New York Subway in the differentiated passages.
The New York Subway website gives students a look at the subway. Clicking on MAP students can view or download the above and below ground maps so students can view ways to navigate using the subway. There are maps in large print for those with visual impairments. Another map shows late night service. The NEWS portion will give the latest subway news. There is a tab for the Metrocard. The MTA (Metropolitan Transport authority) gives updated information about the organization that runs the subway and bus system. There are also tips for using the subway system and staying safe on the subway. Another useful feature is the attractions tab which includes shows, TV tapings, landmarks, museums, and other events/attractions that people living in New York or visiting the city might want to enjoy.
October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States and dedicated.
The resource What Is Liberty: Lesson Plan | Ken Burns: The Statue of Liberty is provided by PBS Learning Media. It is national standards based. The resource includes the film clip and also discussion questions and a link to the poem Emma Lazarus, “The New Colossus.”
Another resource is a vast collection compiled from the Park Rangers and Educators at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. This resource features many handouts for grades K-12, videos, study guides, lesson plans, and research sources.
A student (Sam) was working on a report on the Statue of Liberty and recommended this website https://constructiondisputes.com/who-constructed-the-statue-of-liberty/ If you take a look, I’m sure you will agree Sam has located a great source for students studying about the Statue of Liberty. There are links to the design and construction of the statue, history of the Statue, biographical information about the sculptor, Ellis Island and its history, immigration, medical and physical inspections, and applicable images. Way to go, Sam and thanks for sharing the website you located with Reading Specialty!
October 29, 1927, a Russian archeologist discovered a tomb in the Gobi Desert which might belong to Genghis Khan.
Scholastic has a 2 class period lesson on Genghis Khan. It includes a biographical sketch where students create a tie line of the major events in his life. There is also an Asia map which students use to show his empire. Also included is a link and questions about life in the Genghis Khan empire.
October 30. 1944, Anne and Margot Frank were moved from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Inside Auschwitz is a virtual reality documentary. The video tells the story of Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Philomena Franz and Walentyna Nikodem, three holocaust survivors. It shows drone 360 degree drone video.
October 31–Halloween–Learn about the history of the holiday and how it is celebrated around the world.
Students will enjoy the video from National Geographic on the History of Halloween. It is 3 minutes and discusses the tradition and cultural history of the holiday.
The Shutterstock blog gives a “primer on the origins of classic Halloween images and symbols’ your students might enjoy.
Additional Resources?
Reading Specialty TPT store features Day in History differentiated passages for each day of the year. Passage one is written for grades 9-10, passage 2 for grade 8, and passage 3 for grades 6-7. For each passage there are five comprehension questions (main idea, vocabulary, organizational patterns, inference, and summarizing). A student chart is available so students can easily chart their errors for progress monitoring. Click on the titles below the covers to be directed to the resource from TPT.
