How do you know? Solving the History Puzzle

Instructions Anything written in yellow (slow down and pay attention) is useful information. You should write it in your notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Anything in red (STOP and pay close attention) is critical information and should be copied exactly. Anything in green (go on to the next point) you do not have to write.

What is history? History is the retelling of things that happened in the past. It allows us to understand how people lived in the past. We can learn from their mistakes and their success. The question is:

Sadly, time machines don’t work. How History Works

So what can we use to solve the puzzle of the past?

Imagine a new student has just entered school. You believe this student is very interesting and you want to find out their story. What could you do to learn about this person?

The Historian’s Challenge

Artifacts Challenge 1: –I will show you 3 artifacts or tools. –On your paper write what each might tell you about someone who had them.

Artifact – a human made object such as weapons or tools. Artifacts can give us clues to what ancient people did or found important. We have to make assumptions about them based on what we know from our own lives. The problem is that it is possible to assume incorrectly.

Writings Challenge 2: –In 3 sentences explain your day so far. –Tell your story to a person sitting next to you. –In 3 sentences explain that person’s day so far.

There are two types of historical writings: Primary sources and secondary sources. Primary source – item written by a person who witnessed or participated in an event (example: diaries or letters). Secondary source – written by someone who was told about the event by another person (example: Text book)

Art Challenge 3 On your paper draw a picture of something in this room but don’t tell anyone what it is. Art Challenge 3 On your paper draw a picture of something in this room but don’t tell anyone what it is.

Architecture Challenge 4: –I will show you two different houses. –Write down how do you think the people in each house lived? Keep in mind when, where, how they lived their lives, etc. –Do you think they lived similar lives? Why or why not? –Record your answer in your notebook – make two columns to record your answers. Be as detailed as possible.

Here’s an example of How We can Solve the History Puzzle… Remember we CAN’T ask the people directly.

Pompeii

Vesuvius A large “mountain” in the Roman Empire. Actually, it’s a volcano. Erupted in 79 A.D. destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum and killing thousands of Romans.

Pompeii No one expected the eruption and very few expected it to cause much damage. They were wrong. Thousands die in Pompeii by essentially being buried alive by tons of ash.

Pompeii Watch the following video and pay close attention to what you can find out about this Ancient Disaster. history/pompeii/videos/deconstructing-history-pompeiihttp:// history/pompeii/videos/deconstructing-history-pompeii

Stretch it OUT… Write about EACH of the four puzzle pieces and how we can use them to study what happened in Pompeii.

Imagine that your room instantly was buried exactly as you left it this morning. What would historians be able to learn about your life if they dug it up 1,000 years in the future? Write your response in your notebook. Also draw a colored picture.