1. What Is History?

2. What is History? For tomorrow…
Draw a timeline, with a mark for each year of your life.
Use one color to write the 3 most important events of your life on the timeline. Label each event with your age and a brief description of what happened and why it was important.

3. For tomorrow…
Ask family members what they think are the 3 most important events of your life. Use a different color to place those events on the timeline. Label each event with your age and a brief description of what happened and why they think it was important.
Repeat this process with another family member OR a friend. Be sure to use a different color.

4. For tomorrow…
Beneath the timeline, write a reflection that describes the similarities and differences between the events you chose and those your family chose. Explain why you think and your family members interpreted the past similarly or differently.

5. Wednesday, August 4th Bellringer
Put your timeline in your period’s tray (on top of the back bookshelf).
Grab one of the slips of paper (it has 3 of the same pictures on it) from the stool. You’ll also need a pair of scissors and glue. Be seated.
Cut apart the 3 pictures. Glue them to a sheet of paper. Label each picture as follows: “Irving’s Interpretation,” “Morison’s Interpretation,” “Sale’s Interpretation.” There is an example taped to the chalkboard of what you need this to look like.

6. What is History? Define it. The past in chronological order
Stories about the past
Writing/Reconstructing/Interpreting
Primary vs. Secondary Sources (point of view? Perspective? Shaped by…?)
Historical Interpretation

7. Historical Interpretation
Circle two or more details in the picture that support the historian’s interpretation.
Label each detail you circled and explain how it supports the historian’s interpretation. Label any other details that do not support the historian’s interpretation and explain why.
Suppose the artist of the illustration offered a 4th interpretation of Columbus and his legacy. Which of the 3 historians’ interpretations would you expect be closest to the artist’s?
Of the interpretations, which provides the best source of information about Columbus and his legacy?

8. Historical Interpretation
The meaning and significance of historical events

9. Why do we need history? Interest/Entertainment
Avoid Errors of the Past
More empathy – a lifelong skill
Better thinkers – a lifelong skill
Greek word for investigation