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Let’s face it– it takes a lot of visual aid to make history engaging. In order to really get your students focused on the American Revolution or the rise of Charlemagne, sometimes it takes an extra step for them to visually experience the lesson. Luckily for us, that’s what PowerPoint presentations are for. But amongst all the grading, lesson pacing and everything else, who has time for creating them? Well, as it turns out, even if you haven’t, someone has, and they’ve created an online database just for you.

PowerPointPalooza is a site dedicated strictly to History lesson PowerPoint presentations. With more than 180 presentations in A.P. European and A.P. American History, as well as Global Studies, there is more than enough to choose from. The presentations vary in length from as little as a dozen slides to upwards of 140. Topics range from things like “Life in Gilded Age New York City” to “How To Do an AP Euro DBQ” and each are extensive, yet generic enough that anyone can find a way to personalize the information.

There are also some student projects available for download, so don’t hesitate to give your own students something to aspire to. If nothing else, PowerPointPalooza might just give you the inspiration you need to create your own database. (Please use less Comic Sans, though.) –JEREMY S. GRIFFIN

PowerPointPalooza