Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works Teaching History Honestly with Lauren Brown
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Jan 21, 2026 Lauren Brown, a former K–12 and university U.S. history teacher turned consultant, shares her insights on meaningful history education. They dive into the importance of teaching history as an evidence-based inquiry and the role of controversy in making lessons engaging. Lauren advocates for age-appropriate discussions, emphasizing the need for developmental readiness when tackling complex topics like the Constitution. She also highlights strategies for connecting historical events to students' lived experiences, fostering agency and literacy in social studies.
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Facts Versus Interpretation
- History sits at the intersection of verifiable facts and interpretation.
- Teaching should separate factual evidence from the interpretive choices that make history controversial.
Memory Evolves Over Time
- Collective memory and nostalgia shape how events like Columbus's voyage are remembered.
- Interpretations change over time as new evidence and perspectives reshape historical meaning.
Students' Emotional And Cognitive Limits
- Lauren recounts a student puzzled that Lincoln's heroism coexisted with political compromise around the Emancipation Proclamation.
- She also describes a fourth grader who asked to skip disturbing Harriet Tubman scenes, showing emotional limits.