Yohuru Williams - Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook

The speaker, a historian and educator, shares their journey from early influences in history to developing creative teaching methods. They emphasize the importance of engaging students with history by making it relevant and exciting. The speaker discusses their book, which offers strategies to captivate students' interest in history, such as historical fingerprinting and crime scene investigations. These methods aim to make students active participants in learning and reclaiming historical knowledge.

What was the primary influence on the speaker's interest in history?

• Their training at a high school

• Their professional development with teachers

• Their education at a Jesuit College

• Their father's work at a cultural arts center

Why does the speaker believe it's important to be creative in teaching history?

• Because history is not taught in schools

• Because textbooks are outdated

• Because young people process information differently

• Because history is a complex subject

What is the concept of 'historical fingerprinting' as mentioned by the speaker?

• Identifying historical figures in modern society

• Tracing the origins of cultural practices

• Looking for historical antecedents that explain today's society

• Creating a timeline of historical events

What does the speaker mean by 'crime scene investigations' in the context of teaching history?

• Uncovering history as if solving a mystery

• Exploring forgotten historical events

• Understanding the impact of history on crime rates

• Investigating historical crimes

How does the speaker suggest students can reclaim historical knowledge?

• By memorizing historical dates

• By becoming co-investigators in learning history

• By reading more history books

• By attending history lectures