Teaching Beyond the Timeline: Engaging Students in Thematic History

Return the heart and purpose to the teaching and learning of history. 

Teaching Beyond the Timeline  is a practical guide for teachers looking to transform history in their classroom. China Harvey and Lisa Herzig share the rationale and research behind shifting to a thematic approach and the essential ingredients for a thematic course, including: 

• Demonstrating historical relevance and engaging through current events 
• Centering identity and inclusion 
• Using an inquiry-based approach 

Using these tools of thematic teaching can help your students develop a deeper understanding of history and see its significance in their own lives. 

Each chapter provides a step-by-step process and the tools for organizing units and lessons around central themes with your students in mind. Sample unit maps, lesson plans, and student work are provided to help you visualize teaching history thematically. Online resources, including downloadable planning forms and teaching tools, give you everything you need to redesign and teach your middle and high school history course. 

"Teaching thematically allows students to make meaning and to draw connections between the past, the present, and the future. Teaching thematically transforms history from something to recall to something to explore with curiosity."  ―Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, Ed.D 

Lisa Herzig teaches high school students in World History, U.S. History, and AP U.S. History. Selected as a teacher on special assignment for her department, she was also a district finalist for “Teacher of the Year” award. Over the span of her career, she has helped create district-wide assessments, worked on curriculum development, and has written courses of study for World and U.S. History.

China Harvey is currently a high school social studies teacher and has served as instructional coach and teacher on special assignment, developing curriculum, leading professional development trainings, and helping to write the course of study for her district’s U.S. History course. She has led professional development workshops for teachers across the country, serving as a Teaching Fellow for Brown University’s The Choices Program, facilitating teacher cohorts for Learning for Justice, and working with elementary teachers and the community on moving beyond the myths surrounding Native American history.