Topic Ideas

Use the following topic ideas to display your chosen topic. See link examples on the right.

Helpful Reference Sites:

Topics
History Websites
Can't think of a topic? Click Here.

Infographics Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of Infographics

information, data or k nowledge intended to present complex information
quickly and clearly. They can improve cognition by utilizing graphics to Make your own:
enhance the human visual systems ability to see patterns and trends. Piktochart
The process of creating infographics can be referred to as data Infogram
visualization, information design, or information architecture. Venngage
Easely
Vizualize Me

Playing with Data Create a graph, chart, or other design to show data, statistics, or numbers Make your own:
of anything from history. Show this information creatively to prove a point Chart-go
or point an audience to a topic. Imagine what might have happened in Meta-Chart
history if the data was different? Example
Online Charts
Cool Charts
Even more!

Recreate American Find American paintings, sculptures, cartoons, drawings, or photographs Kanye the Riveter
Art and come up with creative ways of recreating them in a more modern Art into Life
form. Add a writing piece that analyzes the original art and describes American Art
your choices for modern comparisons.
 Imagined Email Imagine or summarize a conversation between historical figures through
Threads from the format of email. What would George Washingtons email thread to
King George VI look like?
Famous Historical
Figures
Imaginary Interview Become an interviewer and create an imagined dialogue between Karl Marx
with a Historical yourself and a famous historical figure? What questions would you ask? Socrates
What might their responses be? How would you connect them with our Genghis Khan
Figure modern world?

Text Conversation Get out your phone and snap some screenshots of an imagined Thomas Paine
with Famous conversation between historical rivals or lovers. What would it look like if King George
historical figures could text each other?
Historical Figure

Grade a Person: Give a grade to famous historical figures, movements, or events. What Report Card
Giving Grades to categories would you grade and why? What grades would you give them
and why? Was there an epic failure?
Historical Figures
Make a Game Design a board game, points game, or online game for students to take in Board Game
order to learn about a historical event or famous figure. Game Gonzo

Make a Quiz Create a quiz to test trivia or personality. What historical period do you Make your own
belong in? What US President are you most like? What historical figure is
your dream date?
What Historical Figure Am I?

GIFs Create a GIF of historical relevance or a mashup of the past versus the Horse
present.
Make your own:
GIFmaker
IMGflip
Make a GIF
 Imagined If that painting or sculpture could talk, what would it say? Why? Come up If Art Could Talk
Monologues from with a monologue that piece of art might give the viewer if it were alive.
Historical Art
Old Documents put There are some really tough to understand old documents out there. Help Re-Wordify
into Modern English everyone out by putting some of those old pieces of writing into modern Declaration of Independence Made
English or have fun with it and translate it into country-western slang or Easy
California surfer girl.

Historical Public Public Safety Announcements are usually pretty weird...Help make one Old PSA
Safety for the past. What would Thomas Jefferson warn us against if he could? 10 Funny PSA's
Make a video, picture/poster, or record some audio warning residents
Announcements against the dangers of historical times.

Historically Accurate President Obama has twitter. If Twitter was around in 1904 I am sure
Tweets Theodore Roosevelt may have as well. What would he have tweeted? To
who? For what reasons?

Cartoons or Are you artistic? Can you draw, paint, or make awesome art somehow? Cartoon Example
Drawings Make us something. We can scan it and upload it for the world to see. Be
sure to include a section describing your pieces historical relevance, your
inspiration, your interpretation, and facts to help people understand your
art.

Art Art is a big concept. It is not just paintings. Perhaps you have a different Native American Painting
idea of something. We can work together to make historically relevant
art.

Historical Abraham Lincoln has hundreds of different biographies from hundreds of Sinbad
Biographies authors. The facts rarely change. But what if they did? First you have to
know the biography, but then what if you changed some things around?
Reimagined What would that figures life look like? Would their choices and actions
have changed? How and why? You get to be the writer who rewrites
history.
Bad History Poems O Captain, my captain...There are some great poems out there...and Bad Poet
then there are some not so great poems. Sometimes the worse poetry
can be the most fun. Imagine Ben Franklin wrote bad poetry while
tinkering with important inventions. What would his bad poetry look and
sound like? What subjects would it speak to?

Test Out Historical Ever try to churn your own butter? Milk a cow? Traverse through the dark Life in the 1800s
or Cultural Practices using only a candle? Have to curl your hair every single day? Even
though they sound somewhat ridiculous in 2015, these were everyday
occurrences for historical peoples. Why dont you try a few? Write about
your experience. What did you learn? Did anything funny happen during
your experiment? Do you have a newfound appreciation for your modern
life?

What If? One of the biggest questions people ask themselves is what if? What if 19 Different Histories
America had lost WWII? What if MLK Jr. had never existed? What if
questions get to the heart of change and help us look at the trajectory of Causinator
history after key events. If you can critically think about what the world
may look like with changes made to the past, perhaps you can more
accurately predict the future? Write about events that have been
changed. What changed - how, why, where, when, and most importantly,
what does it all mean?

This Day in History Each day we come to school it seems like any other average day, but in This Day in History
reality at some point in the past this was an important day for some
reason. What cool, interesting, or important things have happened during
this day in history? Why are they relevant to you?

Fake Newspaper Most of the time, the newspaper tells us the truth. However, they do Fake Article
Article certainly make mistakes from time to time. What would the newspaper Template
look like if it were completely fake? Imagine yourself as a comedic writer.
Your goal is to make every topic of the day funny for the reader while also
helping them to get at least some of the news. Youre the Daily Show but
in writing. Work with a team to create a headline newspaper page.

Facebook Posts Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg, millions of people share their lives on Facebook Template Maker
Facebook. What would famous historical figures Facebooks look like?
Who would they be friends with? What would their pictures, news feed, Google Template
about me, and more look like and why?
 Slides Template (make a copy to
use)

Myspace Posts Oh Myspace...youre so old...but then again so is George Washington. If Myspace

George had a garage band with the other founding fathers, they would
definitely have a Myspace. What would their band look like? What would
their music sound like? Their album cover? Their lyrics? Make them a
fake Myspace page so they can invite the American people to their next
show.

Short, Imagined We all have inner monologues. That discussion you have with yourself Example
Monologues and your thoughts in your mind often never gets said out loud. What if it
was? But we do not have to stop there! What if we gave inner Example 2
monologues to things that dont normally have thoughts such as brooms,
horses, or kites. What would Paul Reveres horse be saying to itself on How to guide
his night ride into Boston? This is your chance to use some humor and More guides
imagination to give these people and things a voice. MORE guides...

Letters to People or Sure, you can write a letter to Abraham Lincoln. However, he is currently Example
Entities Who are unavailable to respond. These are letters to people or things who are
really unlikely to respond. What would you ask them? What would you Example 2
Unlikely to Respond say to them and why? Would you help them try and work out some issues
from the past or perhaps berate them for their behavior? Nows your
chance to get even with them, even if they dont respond.

Odd History Facts The Romans sometimes used human urine as mouthwash. Weird, right? 25 Strange History Facts
There was some weird stuff happening in old times. Your job is to
enlighten the world with your knowledge. Find us the odd facts!

Memes A meme is a humorous image, video, piece of text, etc. that is copied Meme
(often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users. What is a Meme?
Meme Maker
Things to Consider - A Guide

Historical Comic Enjoy comic books? Why not immortalize your favorite historical event or WW1 Comic
Strips figures in a comic strip?

Political Cartoons Political cartoons have been the backbone of satire since people could Example 1
 draw to make fun of their political leaders. There are numerous examples Example 2
online and more added each day. Be a contributor, sketch a cartoon that Example 3
shows your views and stance about a historical or modern political topic Analyzing Political Cartoons
or personality. Drawing Your Own

Obituaries An obituary is grand summary or a persons life usually listed in a Thomas Jefferson
newspaper to announce the person has passed away. Some obituaries Martha Washington
can lean towards telling a version of the truth that makes the deceased Kim Jong Il
sound...better than they may have been. Write an obituary for a famous
historical figure or even a historical event. What were their successes?
Their failures? From what perspective will you be writing?

If War was a Game War is conflict and some may argue that football is a style of conflict on
the field. Imagine the teams are countries or rivalries from history? Who is
the quarterback, the coach, the defense, offense? What are the strengths,
weaknesses, and talents? Who wins and loses? What happens during the
game?

Make a Video Got a camera and experience making short videos? Put it to use by
making a quick video detailing a famous historical event or speech. Explain Everything

Create a Mini-Lesson Teach the world. Design a mini-lesson to help others learn! Use a new template!

Historical Raps or Are you a rapper? Write a rap, compose a beat and record your music. Epic Rap Battles of History
Rap Battles We can upload a rap describing a historical event.

Motivational Posters Do you need motivation? Make a motivational or de-motivational poster Example 1
using history as your subject. Show the right or wrong way to live. Example 2

Musings or Blog Like to blog? Have big thoughts? Create a blog post and write down your 25 Best History Blogs
Posts thoughts and explain your big ideas in the form of a blog post. 100 History Blog Sites

Nonessential A mnemonic devices are techniques a person can use to help them Example 1
 Mnemonics improve their ability to remember something. In other words, its a
memory technique to help your brain better encode and recall important
information. Its a simple shortcut that helps us associate the information
we want to remember with an image, a sentence, or a word. Making a
mnemonic non-essential means that you have created a mnemonic for
something silly or unimportant. Imagine trying to remember a list of all the
countries in South America?

Product Reviews There have been many important inventions and products throughout
history. Write a review for one as if you lived in that time period and used
the product.

Literature or Famous Ever heard or read a famous speech? What did you think of it? Imagine Top 100 American Speeches
Speech Reviews yourself as a professional speech critic, and make it your job to critically
analyze their style, tone, choice of words, target audience and overall
success or failure.

Lists Are you a list maker? Make some lists. Choose something interesting or List Ideas
entertaining from history and make a complete and comprehensive list of
it. Add pictures or other media if you like? Draw attention to why you
made the list and why it is important.

Would You Rather Would you rather use sandpaper as toilet paper or hot sauce as
Hypotheticals eyedrops? This is a would you rather question. Now imagine yourself in a
historical setting or compare past from present. Make a set of would you
rathers, complete with pictures and give percentages of student choices
or answers? Poll your friends

Lessons We Still Invade Russia during the winter? A long ground war in Afghanistan? Example 1
Havent Learned Some lessons we seem to never learn. Describe some items from history
that continue to repeat themselves and explain why we have yet to learn
our lessons.

Lesser Known Timelines are great for showing events in order and can help us make 10 Free Timeline Builders
Timelines or sense of the progression of events throughout history. Most timelines
however, only cover important issues and events. What about things that http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/2014
Just...timelines are not so important but are still fun or interesting? Create a timeline 1016-your-life-on-earth
about the history of graffiti art, or cows, or alien hoaxes.
 Dipity Timelines

Historical Cooking - We have a somewhat modern menu these days and as Southern Medieval Cooking
Recipes from the Californians we eat a variety of foods. But what about historical dishes?
What did Americans eat in 1830? What was the traditional Thanksgiving
Past meal in 1902? Research it, write a recipe, make some food and document
your thoughts and reactions. Use our after-school cooking club for help!

The Fact Checker - Become our expert fact checker and question answerer. Open up a
Q&A Responses Question and Answer blog and take questions from the your peers.
Answer them!
from a Student
Expert
Historical Fashion When were blue jeans invented? How tight were corsets? Research
Trends historical fashion and become a fashion critic, magazine editor, or
designer. Or combine historical fashion sense and modern design to
make new sketches and designs today.

Then vs. Now Compare past and present. Write an article detailing facts and comparing
Articles them.

WW(X)D? What Would Beyonce Do?

What Would What Would George Washington Do?
What Would Stalin Do?
(BLANK) Do?
Make up some WW questions and then explain why that figure would do
something given a situation? What historical events helped you to figure
this out?

Arrest Reports Can you think of a historical figure that has fought the law? Write an Blank Report
arrest report for a famous historical figure who has committed a fake
crime. What were they protesting with their action? Why? What would it
say on the report? Why was the government against this action?
Propaganda Posters The government and media has designed posters, art and other forms of
media to influence the minds and actions of the people. Create a
propaganda poster that targets an audience and tries to shape their
minds.

How To Video
100 Years of Propaganda
Desgin Tutorial

The Idiots Guide to Have you ever read The Idiots Guide to _______? Create a helpful Cover Maker
(Blank) guide to a complicated or detailed issue, event, or person for other Idiot's Guide
students.

Historical Horoscope Imagine you are a horoscope writer. Pick a dozen famous historical Horoscope Maker
figures, one for each sign...write a horoscope for that month and connect Astrology
it with that historical figures past.

E-Cards E Card Maker

 Time Machine If you had access to a time machine, where and when would you go to?
Imagine how odd that interaction might be between you and the people
living there during that time. What would you change, how, and why?
What would the long term effects be? Craft an interesting way to show
this. Maybe even through video?

Metro Map Ever been on a subway and seen the map system? Somehow they make Metro Map Creator
complex mapping and stops seem simple and easy. Do you see any
connections between countries, peoples, languages, or historical events? Metro Map Example Ideas
Make us a more clear map to show the connections.

Map Maker Got an idea to show a new set of information, trends, populations, or any Map Maker
other information as a map? Make it. Example
Google's Map Maker
Ideas
Some Ideas
More ideas
EVEN MORE IDEAS
This is so cool...lichtenstein map
MapBox - Make your own!
Google Maps Gallery

Make a pop art map!

Make a new Google Google earth is a great new application that allows people to explore the How to
Earth Layer topography of our planet. Did you know you can add extra layers to help Example
highlight certain places? You could show the routes of famous explorers, How To Instructions
take us on a ride through WWII, or post pins to anything that can be
mapped.

Flash Cards Help others study - make an interactive set of flashcards. http://www.studystack.com
 White House You will need to research and select one issue/problem in a country o n White House
Briefing your FGP team. You will analyze the issue based on the rubric below.
For this bi-weekly assignment you do not necessarily need to use the For Students
New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, or Foreign Policy.com, but you
need to cite where you got most of your information.

Your White House Brief should describe what you think the President of
the United States should do about the issue/problem happening in the
country you choose. Its OK to recommend doing nothing, but provide
evidence and reasons why.

What are you You can learn a lot from what people eat on a daily basis. The food one Hunger Map 2013
Eating? has speaks volumes towards the resources of ones country, historical Global Citizen - School Lunches
era, and way of life. Create an article that focuses on historical or Daily Diets from around the world
worldwide foods. What people are eating around the
world

Make a TED talk Make an informational and educational TED talk to delve into a historical Ted Talk Slides
movement. Check out other TED talks online and then focus on a topic of How to
your choice. More!
It's useful in business

Make a Crash Crash Course does a great job on getting you a lot of history in a very Crash Course Wiki
Course style Video short time. John Green explains what you need to know in a way that Crash Course on Youtube
most can understand. Make a Crash Course history style video on a
subject of your choice.

Local History San Diego has a great history: from the Spanish to World War II and SD History
beyond, San Diego is home to some fantastic history. There are people to More SD History
interview, historical places to visit, and events to display. Become an SD Historical Sites List
expert on something San Diegan and create an article to help others
discover our history.

History We Missed Can you think of a historical event or personality who has been lost in History we missed
the pages of history? Perhaps there was a forgotten war, conflict, or
important person? Help us remember by making a creative article
highlighting that person or events contribution.
 Before and After Things change. Some cities have been host to people and events from Example
thousands of years. Help us remember how things have changed by How To Video
juxtaposing the past and the present.

Flowcharts or Sometimes things get too complicated. Dates from history, names, Maker 1
Decision Making events, and conflicts are often complex unless mapped out. Flowcharts or Maker 2
decision making charts can help make sense of detailed information and
Charts often help modern adults plan out their moves in advance.

Maker #3
Maker #4

Build a Webquest Help others discover a topic by creating an interactive webquest that How to Build a Webquest
guides the user through a series of websites, readings, images, and
videos and questions that inspire critical thought. Use a LiveBinder to Creator and Examples
host your quest.
Webquest Idea Guide

Live Binder

Comedy Show Theres no reason history cant be the source of a good joke. Write some Colin Quinn "Long Story Short"
jokes, make a stand up comedy video to enlighten and entertain others.
How to

Visualize the Future Previous generations had dreams of the Jetsons and a future of 2015 1889's Ideas
where robots and spaceships were the norm. Although they may not have More predictions
been entirely right, we have come a long way. What do you think the The Jetsons
future will look like? Use historical evidence, art and research to present 1964
the future according to you. Some not so far off times...
 Film Analysis Like movies? Or TV shows? Find a historically relevant movie, tv show, or How to 'read' a film
documentary and write an article describing its accuracy, limitations, IMDB's List of top 100 history films
perspectives, lessons learned, importance, or unique message for today.
Dig into this visual history and give the reader a way to think critically
about the film or show.

Aurasma Scavenger Use Aurasma to launch a historical document walk, art walk, or scavenger Aurasma
hunt. Plant your historical pictures, graphs, charts, art, or videos in objects
Hunt around your classroom or school. Scavenger Hunt