Who Writes History? How We Learn About the Past
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about studying and writing history.
- Talk about different ways we learn about history.
- Read about how the study of history has changed.
- Listen to a historian talk about their work.
- Write about different perspectives on a historical event.
Key Words:
- History: The study of the past.
- Historian: A person who studies history.
- Primary source: Something from the past that was made or written by someone who was there. (Examples: diaries, letters, old photos)
- Secondary source: Something written about the past later on, based on primary sources. (Example: a textbook)
- Bias: When someone has an opinion or feeling that affects how they see things.
Let’s Talk About It!
- How do we learn about things that happened long ago? (Think about books, movies, museums, stories from our families.)
- Can you think of any examples of primary sources?
- Why is it important to learn about history from different perspectives?
Let’s Read!
History isn’t just about facts and dates. It’s about stories. Historians are like detectives, using clues from the past to figure out what really happened. But sometimes, people who write history have their own opinions, and that can change the story.
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of a historian talking about how they try to be fair when they write about history. Focus on the words “evidence,” “different perspectives,” and “fairness.”)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a historian. The other is a student asking questions about how history is written.
Example:
- Student: “How do you know what’s true when you study history?”
- Historian: “I look at different sources and try to compare the information. I also try to understand the point of view of the person who wrote or created the source.”
Homework:
Think of a historical event you know about. Write a short paragraph about how the story might be different if it were told from two different perspectives. (Example: the American Revolution from the perspective of a British soldier vs. an American colonist)
Extra Fun:
If you can, find an old photo or object that has a story behind it. Tell your classmates about it and see if they can guess what it is and where it came from!
