This past summer, I interviewed Michael Brilla about creating timelines on an amazing platform called Knight Lab. I had my students such create timelines this past September. It was a solid experience for all. The only issue we had with this application was that kids had to fill out a Google Spreadsheet and then submit that sheet to the Knight Lab platform. This one variable caused some frustration with my students. Imagine that!

What I love about StoryMaps is there are no spreadsheets involved. Your kids create the entire StoryMap right on the Knight Lab platform. It’s totally web-based…which is magical. When kids are done, they hit the share button and they have the link.

This is a perfect activity for any lesson that involves events taking place in various locations. I had my students create a StoryMap on the Mongols. Here’s a link to my prompt. Please copy it and then edit it to fit your class.

To help me tell this story is Max Muhlbaier and Matt Rease. These two articulate young students (primary sources) will describe utilizing this platform. Here’s a link to Matt’s StoryMap.

Max Muhlbaier and Matt Rease

Episode Template

The Problem:

Often, students lack context for your lesson.

The Solution:

Create instant understanding with StoryMaps.

What you can do Tomorrow:

• Go to Knight Lab and create your own StoryMap
• Consider an upcoming project that involves some geography
• Take my prompt an edit to fit your class

This platform puts learning into context, which makes your lesson relevant.

Listen to “112-You Simply Must Try StoryMaps from Knight Lab…Starring Max Muhlbaier and Matt Rease” on Spreaker.