Unit 1: Redefining World Society and Culture

Lesson A: Thinking Like a Historian

Lesson Overview

Learning to think like a historian helps students develop skills for understanding both the past and the present. In this lesson, students learn some of the historical thinking skills that they will use throughout this course. These skills will also help students navigate the information highway and become well-informed global citizens.

Key Questions

1. Why is it important to learn to think like a historian?
2. How can I use historical thinking to understand the world in which I live?

Student Outcomes

1. Describe the reasons to study history and the importance of keeping an active, inquiring, multi-perspective attitude.

Key Terms

• bias
• context
• corroborate
• credible
• evidence
• interpretation
• multiple perspectives
• perspective
• source

Student Resources

• Historical Thinking Skills Graphic Organizer (doc)
• Historical Thinking Skills — Freedom of Expression (doc)

Chart of Activities

Lesson Completion Time

The total estimated time to complete this lesson is 95 minutes.