Ask students of consider an object that has been handed down from one person to another in their family. How is this object a part of their personal and family history? Take a few minutes to share and discuss some answers.
Assign students to computers, and direct them to the Guide to Doing History with Objects essay [http://objectofhistory.org/guide/]. Ask them to read the essay, and to note at the end of each section how their family's object reveals the kinds of historical perspectives that Lubar and Kendrick discuss.
Bring students back together for a plenary discussion of their reflections.
