Learning About the Past Through Decade Research

Why Teaching History by Decade Helps Kids Truly Understand the Past

When kids learn history, it can often feel like a random collection of events, dates, and names. One day they’re learning about World War I, the next day it’s the Great Depression—and it all starts to blur together.

But what if there was a way to make history stick?  One of the most effective (and engaging) ways to teach history is by studying it one decade at a time.

Why a Decade Study Works So Well

Breaking history into decades—like the 1920s, 1950s, or 1990s—helps students see how events, culture, and people are all connected.

Instead of isolated facts, students begin to understand:

• How music, fashion, and inventions reflect the time period

• How major events shape everyday life

• How change happens gradually over time

For example, when students explore the 1960s, they don’t just learn about one event—they see the Civil Rights Movement, changing music, and cultural shifts all happening together.

This creates a bigger picture understanding of history, which is exactly what we want as teachers.

Why Kids Love Decade-Based Learning

Let’s be honest—kids are naturally curious about the past.

They love:

• Seeing old photos of kids their age

• Watching short video clips from the time period

• Comparing “then vs. now”

• Learning about pop culture (music, trends, inventions)

A decade study taps into that curiosity in a way textbooks just can’t.

When students can see and hear history, it suddenly becomes real.

What to Include in a Decade Study

A strong decade unit should go beyond just major historical events. The magic happens when you combine informational content with visual and interactive elements.

Here’s what works best:

• Key Events – Important moments that shaped the decade

• Famous People – Influential figures students should recognize

• Everyday Life – What school, home, and entertainment looked like

• Photos & Visuals – Essential for engagement and understanding

• Videos – Short clips that bring the decade to life

• Fun Facts & Pop Culture – Music, fashion, inventions, and trends

This combination helps reach all learners—not just strong readers.

Easy Ways to Use Decade Studies in Your Classroom

You don’t have to overhaul your curriculum to make this work. Here are a few simple ways to implement decade-based learning:

1. Timeline Projects
Assign each student (or group) a decade and have them contribute to a class timeline.

2. Compare & Contrast Activities
Have students compare two decades (like the 1920s vs. 1980s).

3. Research Mini-Projects
Students dive deeper into one event, person, or trend from their assigned decade.

4. Daily “Travel Through Time” Lessons
Spend a few days exploring one decade at a time—it’s perfect for short, engaging lessons.

Why This Approach Builds Deeper Thinking

When students study decades, they naturally begin to ask better questions:

• Why did things change during this time?

• How did people respond to major events?

• What patterns do we see across decades?

That’s where real learning happens.  They move beyond memorizing facts and start thinking like historians.

Ready-to-Use Decade Resources (1900–2019)

If you love the idea of teaching history by decade but don’t have time to create everything from scratch, I’ve put together ready-to-use decade units for every decade from 1900–2019.

Each resource includes:

• Engaging informational pages

• Real photos from the decade

• Curated video links (kid-friendly and classroom appropriate)

• Key events, people, and cultural highlights

My products linked to the right are designed specifically for upper elementary students and make it easy to bring history to life without hours of prep.

Final Thoughts

History doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—for you or your students.  When you break it down into decades, you give kids a framework that helps everything make sense.  And once they start making connections? That’s when they realize…history is actually pretty amazing.