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BELL RINGER / EXIT TICKET

Today in History

Grade:

3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Uses:

Current Events Connection
/  Preview and Engage

Materials:

Today in History handout, devices, writing utensils
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Description

Students research and share key facts about a historical event or person linked to a historical date using Britannica resources.

Preparation

Choose a historical event or person from your selected day in history, and write a brief description to be displayed as part of the handout.
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Implementation

Distribute the Today in History handout with the featured event or person listed (e.g., “On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.”). Share the prepared description for students to fill in on their handout.

Working in pairs, students will use Britannica School or Britannica Library databases to research the event or person, recording their findings on the handout. Allow 5–8 minutes for research and note-taking.

If time allows, facilitate a brief share-out in which students present one fact to a partner, a small group, or the whole class.

Teaching Tips

  • Encourage students to compare historical events to modern-day issues to build meaningful connections.
  • Consider using images from Britannica School, Britannica Library, ImageQuest, or ImageQuest Jr., and invite students to research images instead of text—or pair images with captions for an alternative approach.

Supporting All Learners

For students needing additional support: Provide sentence starters (e.g., “This event is important because…”). Allow students to focus on one key fact instead of multiple facts, and consider offering visuals or timelines to help contextualize the event. 

For advanced learners: Ask students to compare this event to another historical event or trend. Have them explore the long-term impact of the event or individual for deeper analysis. 

For multilingual learners: Pre-teach key vocabulary (e.g., significance, impact, legacy), and allow students to brainstorm in their home languages before writing in English. Pair students with peers for collaborative research and fact-checking. 

Note: Provide accommodations and modifications based on your learners’ needs to ensure full participation.