History Time

A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

August 2024

Make and Take: Clothespin Airplane

Kansas has a strong history of aviation. Many aircraft companies had factories in the state. Use this craft as a fun extension activity when discussing the history of aviation in Kansas. Compare early planes to the ones we see today. How has aircraft design evolved? What role did Kansas play in aircraft manufacturing?

Standards Based Lesson:

Reform in Kansas

In preparation for a new school year, we developed a brand new video series focused on reform movements in Kansas. This video serves as an overview to familiarize your students with the concept of reform and introduce examples of reform movements throughout Kansas history. Kansas led the way in passing many laws for the protection of its citizens, like mandatory school requirements, child labor restrictions, and public health initiatives.

Pair this video with our middle school Read Kansas! lesson, Meet the Reformers. Designed as a simulation of Meet the Press, this lesson allows students to work in groups and portray reformers, public relations directors, and reporters.

Stay tuned for our next video focusing on Prohibition!

Monarch Migration Coming Soon!

The Kansas Museum of History is proud to once again partner with the Topeka Zoo for the annual monarch butterfly migration. Students and families can become citizen scientists by attending classes held at the Kansas Museum of History the last two weeks of September.

These classes include a short indoor educational program to learn about monarchs, their importance, and how to catch them. The second portion of each class is held outdoors on the museum’s grounds where students can catch, tag, and release monarchs. The zoo staff provides all supplies needed, and all classes are held at the Kansas Museum of History. We recommend participants wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, as well as using bug spray.

Two types of programs are offered:

Private, paid classes for school or other groups during weekdays

Public, free classes open to anyone during evening hours

Professional Development

August 1, 2024 - New Teachers Academy

Join us for USD 501 Topeka Public Schools annual training to learn all about the Kansas Historical Society's educational resources and classroom materials.

August 2, 2024 - Linn County Teachers Development Day

Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield co-site administrator Alison Hamilton will explain how to teach with primary sources, share educational materials, and highlight our Life of a Civil War Soldier Traveling Resource Trunk.

September 21 - Victory on the Prairie, Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve

Experience life on the home front of World War II with displays from the Kansas Historical Society, the Kansas National Guard Museum, and educational talks from the Eisenhower Presidential Library and more!

Don't Forget!

State Historic Sites now have free admission! Look for one in your area. Call ahead as some are only open seasonally.

Read Kansas! are available free of charge for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students while supplies last.

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.

The Kansas Museum of History is closed for renovations. Although the museum is not available for field trips, our staff is here for you.

Zephyr, our newest publication, provides information on events, programs, updates on the museum renovation, and highlights a variety of state historic sites.