5 activities to spark your high schooler’s interest in history

The invention of writing was one of the most important developments to result from commerce. The first writing system emerged in Mesopotamia in the form of small markings, which were used to keep trade records and organize transactions. Writing quickly took on a fundamental role in human civilization and changed the face of the world. Ask your child to imagine what the world would be like without any form of writing. To guide their thought process, you can ask the following questions:

• How would we keep in touch with people who live far away?
• What inventions would never have been created?
• How would historic events and discoveries be recorded?
• Etc.

Once your teen has reflected on the subject and done some research, you can encourage them to get creative with their newfound knowledge. For instance, they could do the following:

• Give an oral presentation
• Write a story
• Make a comic book
• Write a song
• Etc.

As the cradle of democracy, Athens played an important role in the history of human civilization. To pique your child’s curiosity and broaden their knowledge on the capital of Greece, you can invite them to create a travel guide showcasing the city’s many virtues. For example, they could do the following:

• Pinpoint Greece on a map
• Recount the rich history of Athens
• Describe the city’s main attractions (e.g., the Acropolis, the Parthenon) and their historical significance
• Make a timeline to show the evolution of Athens
• Etc.

At one time, Rome ruled over much of the known world. For more than 500 years, the Roman Empire conquered and occupied numerous territories in Europe and around the Mediterranean Sea. Reading is a great way to learn about any subject. Here are some French-language books set in ancient Rome to recommend to your child:

• In Le messager d’Athènes (Odile Weulersse), we follow Timoklès and his sister as they’re exiled from Athens.
• L’affaire Caïus (Olivier Séchan), set in Imperial Rome, tells the story of a young man whose life is turned upside down after he writes a simple sentence on his school tablet: “Caïus is a dumbbell.”
• In Les poisons de Rome (Béatrice Nicodème), an investigation takes place in the heart of Rome. Why are patients of the famous doctor Galen dying?

During the Renaissance, Europe entered an age of exploration and colonization. Many trade agreements were established between the European metropolises and their colonies. Why not invite your teen to create a trivia game based on this important period in history? After researching the topic, they can write their own question-and-answer cards. Here are a few examples:

• Q. What three territories were known to the Europeans at the end of the 14th century?
  R. North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Q. Name two main navigational instruments used by the Europeans.
  R. The compass and the astrolabe.
• Q. What was one of the consequences of the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed by Spain and Portugal in the 15th century?
  R. The agreed-upon division of territories ceded most of the Americas to Spain, while Portugal claimed part of what later became Brazil.
• Etc.

The Age of Enlightenment brought us the philosophical foundations for human rights. Today, we continue to affirm our rights through various charters, declarations, and conventions. The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes children’s human rights. You can suggest that your teen paint a mural inspired by the treaty, which states, among other things, that all children have the following rights:

• The right to be given a name at birth
• The right to preserve their name, home, and family
• The right to express their opinion
• The right to be informed
• Etc.