Signature+Strategies+-+Bracketing

The __**BRACKETING HISTORY**__ strategy was presented during the October, 2009, colloquium by Dr. Bill Ross. What are the Nature Coast Liberty Fellows to contribute to this page?
 * 1) Add to the "Evidence That Strategy Is Being Used" segment below.
 * 2) Add a comment on the use (successful or needs improvement) and implimentation of the Bracketing strategy in your classroom.

Summary of the Strategy:
Using cornerstone dates to identify key events in history and what other events happen before and afterwards. This is supported during the year through “This Day in History”. Bracketing is an old artillery technique which can be adapted to the war on chronological infirmities. It consists of intentionally firing a shell beyond the target followed by a round short of the target and gradually narrowing the over and under until the target is hit. For historical instruction, this strategy teaches a list of some 30 landmark historical events and eras (which can be done in two days) in a concise, skeletal narrative of our 5,000 years of recorded history and then taking every opportunity to connect the 30 or so items to everyday class lessons. To further refine and practice Bracketing techniques, Dr. Ross especially likes to have students read a "This Day In History" column, available in many major daily newspapers. It can be our tool of choice...cheap, relevant, easily adjustable, and fun for everyone to think about.

Resources:
PowerPoint: Bracketing Teacher Talk Doing Battle with Chronological Impairment List of Dates: Two websites to bookmark: [|This Day In History] [|Those Were The Days]

Evidence that Strategy is being used:
Dates are printed and displayed in room. Bracketing dates are referred to during discussion/presentation in class. Specific date and associated pictures are being employed in the classroom.

Nature Coast Fellows comments:
How has the Bracketing Technique worked for you? If you are having problems implimenting it in your class, what are those problems? As you read the comments, feel free to write your suggestions or comments that pertain to an individual's thoughts on the Bracketing strategy directly under his/her comment.