Thinking Like A Historian at D.C.Everest

WOW!

Examine testing at various levels: 8th grade WKCE 10th grade WKCE AP Tests DBQ’s

Thinking Like a Historian [Teachers] creating a foundation that can connect and develop students’ curiosity about and understanding of history through the use of a common language.

What Is History? History is a discipline: a way of thinking that encourages students to analyze historical evidence, evaluate it, and then demonstrate their understanding of that evidence. The “best” history courses engage students in the study of historical artifacts and documents – which are often contradictory and muddled – from which they draw their own interpretations or conclusions.

Middle School, Junior High , and even H. S Middle School, Junior High , and even H.S. students accept sources as “gospel” as the truth. Students need the power of discernment more than ever! “In a rapidly changing world in which historical ignorance seems to be the rule rather than the exception, there is no more important discipline for our students to practice , than history.”

Questions All history starts with questions????? Take on the persona of a detective to examine the evidence. The evidence comes in two forms: primary and secondary sources.

How do Historians Use Historical Sources? There is a fundamental difference between looking for answers in the sources and constructing answers from the sources. Constructing answers is the final stage of “Doing History” Building an interpretation based on evidence is the defining characteristic of history.

Drawing Conclusions; Making Interpretations Historical conclusions must be supportable by the historical record AND take into consideration sometimes conflicting perspectives and experiences in that record.

Historical Categories of Inquiry These are patterns that help us organize both the questions we ask of the past and the answers we construct. These categories of inquiry and analysis provide the patterns that help us make sense of the past. It also gives us a common language.

Evaluating Sources Not all historical sources are equal Consider ways to assess the validity of the sources Use AAPARTS ( to be explained later by JEFF) Multiple sources are needed in order to fully understand the complexity and importance of any historical event , era, person or group. DBQ’s provide multiple sources for students to use to draw conclusions and make interpretations.

Thinking Like A Historian: Rethinking History Instruction was written by Bobbie Malone and Nikki Mandell.

Cause-Effect Graphic Organizers