facts about Wisconsin

This fall, the Wisconsin Historical Society Press introduces an updated print and digital edition of its definitive Wisconsin history fourth-grade textbook, Wisconsin: Our State, Our Story.

The textbook promotes strong literacy and content skills and follows an inquiry-based approach to learning about history based on the Society Press’s Thinking Like an Historian questions that anchor each chapter and encourage students to consider concepts like cause-effect and change-continuity in learning history

The textbook introduces students to lively stories of the many individuals, groups, and events that shaped Wisconsin’s past — from the retreat of the glaciers more than 10,000 years ago to the diverse state we are today. For example students can:

• Learn about the Menominee, Ho-Chunk, and Ojibwe who have lived here for centuries.
• Hear the story of escaped slave John Greene.
• See artifacts owned by Civil War general and Wisconsin governor, Lucius Fairchild.
• Discover photographs of shipwrecks taken by maritime archaeologists using new techniques.

Color-coded terms, phonetic pronunciations, and meaningful imagery and sidebars are just a few examples of how the design supports literacy and fluency.

• Images of hundreds of documents and artifacts — from Wisconsin Historical Society and other collections — that allow students to become eyewitnesses to the material culture of the past.
• More than 100 full-color maps that integrate geography into every chapter.
• Key words that introduce students to important concepts and content vocabulary.
• Timelines that anchor the chronology of each history lesson.
• Interactive Whiteboard lessons for each chapter.

Bobbie Malone, Ph.D., is the co-author of the Student Textbook, Teacher’s Edition and Student Activity Guide for “Wisconsin: Our State, Our Story.” She is the former director of the Office of School Services at the Wisconsin Historical Society (1995-2011) and taught school for 10 years. Kori Oberle is the co-author of the Student Textbook. She is a historical researcher, writer, and social studies instructional designer who has worked as an educator in museums, historic sites, and for public television. Kurt Griesemer, the Wisconsin Historical Society’s coordinator of primary education, has been involved in education for more than 20 years — as a teacher, TV producer, content designer, museum educator, and publications editor — and his work includes creating and producing the Emmy Award-winning, Educational Communications Board’s Wisconsin Biographies animated series and the interactive media for the Student Textbook. Susan O’Leary, Ph.D., is the co-author of the Teacher’s Edition. She taught for more than 20 years for the Madison Metropolitan School District, serving as a reading specialist. She is also the author of several publications for educators. Mary Mullen is the co-author of the Student Activity Guide. She is a retired fourth-grade teacher who volunteers at the Wisconsin Historical Society to develop student-related activities.