Lesson plan of What is history?

Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the concept of history: The teacher should ensure that students understand what history is, emphasizing the importance of past events, analyzing different perspectives, and building historical narratives.

2. Identify historical sources: Students should learn to differentiate between primary and secondary sources, and how these sources are used to construct an understanding of the past. They should be able to recognize examples of historical sources in different contexts.

3. Analyze the importance of studying history: Students should be able to articulate why the study of history is relevant to their lives and to society in general. This could include discussions about how history shapes our understanding of the present and the future, and how it can influence decisions and actions.

   • Develop critical thinking skills: Through the study of history, students should be encouraged to question, analyze, and interpret information, thus developing valuable critical thinking skills.

   • Promote empathy and cultural understanding: History provides a window into human experiences at different times and places. Students should be encouraged to see history as a tool for promoting empathy and cultural understanding.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Prior Knowledge: Begin the lesson by reminding students about key concepts that have been discussed in previous lessons and that are relevant to the current topic. This may include a review of concepts such as time, change, and continuity, as well as a recap of different historical periods that will be referenced during the lesson.

2. Problem Situation 1 - The Mystery of the Old Photo: Present students with a photograph of a historical event and ask them to try and decipher what is happening in the photograph. This activity will highlight the importance of historical sources and how they can be used to create a historical narrative.

3. Problem Situation 2 - The Archaeologist's Riddle: Present students with an ancient artifact and challenge them to figure out what it is and where it came from. This task will help students understand the difference between primary and secondary sources, and how they can be used to construct an understanding of the past.

4. Contextualization: The teacher should then contextualize the importance of studying history, explaining how knowledge about the past can help us understand the present world and make informed decisions about the future. Examples of how history influences current political, social, and cultural decisions can be discussed.

5. Topic Introduction: Finally, the teacher should introduce the topic of the lesson: "What is history?" The teacher might begin with an intriguing question, such as the origin of the word "history" and how it has evolved over time. This could be followed by a brief discussion about what students believe history to be and why they think it is important to study it. This is a good time for the teacher to clarify any misconceptions and set the stage for the rest of the lesson.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1 - Timeline Game (10 - 12 minutes): Divide the class into groups of five. Each group will be given a set of cards, each containing a significant historical event. Students will arrange the cards in chronological order, creating a timeline on their desk. To ensure everyone’s participation, each member of the group will have the opportunity to add a card to the timeline. As the activity progresses, the teacher should circulate around the room, observing the groups’ work and offering guidance when needed. At the end, each group will be asked to present their timeline, explaining their choice and placement of the events.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Apply the concept of time, change, and continuity in constructing a timeline.
     • Identify and sequence historical events.

2. Activity 2 - Historical Source Challenge (10 - 12 minutes): Still in their groups, students will be given a box containing various "historical sources" (e.g.: letters, maps, photographs, artifacts). They will be challenged to choose one source and create a narrative about what happened, who was involved, when and where, based solely on the information contained in the source. The teacher should guide students to carefully consider the source, its content, and context when creating their narrative.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Reinforce the understanding of how historical sources are used to construct narratives.
     • Develop critical analysis and interpretation skills.

3. Activity 3 - The Importance of History Debate (5 - 10 minutes): Finally, the teacher will organize a debate among the groups. Each group will be assigned to argue for or against the statement "Studying history is important for understanding the present and planning for the future". Students should use examples from concepts and skills learned during the lesson, as well as their own experiences and knowledge, to support their arguments. The teacher should act as a moderator, ensuring that the debate is respectful and constructive.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Reinforce the importance of history in understanding the present world.
     • Develop argumentation and critical thinking skills.

Debrief (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes): The teacher should facilitate a group discussion with all the students. Each group will have a maximum of 3 minutes to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities carried out. It is important that the teacher ensures participation from all the groups, encouraging students to express their views and share the strategies they used to solve the proposed problems. During the presentations, the teacher should ask questions to stimulate critical thinking and deepen the students' understanding of the topic. The group presentations can be followed by a brief class discussion, where students are encouraged to ask questions and make comments about the other groups’ presentations.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Reinforce students’ understanding of the concept of history and the importance of studying history.
     • Promote critical reflection and discussion among students.

2. Theory Connection (2 - 3 minutes): After the group discussion, the teacher should synthesize the main ideas discussed, reinforcing the connection between the theory and the practical activities. The teacher could, for example, highlight how the activities helped students understand the concept of history, the importance of historical sources, and the relevance of studying history for understanding the present and planning for the future. The goal of this step is to ensure that students have internalized the key concepts and understand how they apply in practice.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Reinforce the practical application of theoretical concepts.
     • Check students’ understanding of the lesson topic.

3. Final Reflection (3 - 5 minutes): To close the lesson, the teacher should propose a final reflection, where students will have one minute to think and answer the following questions:

   1. What is the most important concept you learned today?
   2. What questions are still unanswered?

   Students can share their answers out loud, if they wish, or write them down for their own reference. The teacher should encourage students to be honest in their answers, ensuring that they feel comfortable expressing any doubts or concerns. This final reflection is a valuable opportunity for the teacher to evaluate the effectiveness of the lesson and identify any areas that may need revision or further exploration in future lessons.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Assess students’ understanding of the lesson content.
     • Identify areas that need revision or further study.

Conclusion (5 - 8 minutes)

1. Content Summary (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should begin the Conclusion by reiterating the main points discussed during the lesson. This includes the concept of history, the importance of historical sources, the use of historical narratives, and the relevance of studying history for understanding the present and planning for the future. The teacher can do this in an interactive way, asking students to summarize the main points in their own words.

2. Theory-Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes): Next, the teacher should highlight how the lesson connected theory to practice. This could include examples from the activities carried out and how they illustrated the theoretical concepts discussed. The teacher should emphasize that studying history is not just about learning facts, but also about developing critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation skills.

3. Supplementary Materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should then suggest supplementary reading and study materials for the students, which can help them deepen their understanding of the topic. This could include history books, documentaries, museum websites, and digital archives of historical sources. The teacher can provide a list of materials and encourage students to explore them in their own time.

4. Real-World Application (1 - 2 minutes): Finally, the teacher should explain how the lesson topic applies to the students' everyday lives. This could involve discussions about how history influences current political, social, and cultural decisions, and how historical knowledge can help students better understand the world around them. The teacher should encourage students to think about how they can apply what they learned in the lesson to their own lives.

   • Learning Objectives:

     • Summarize the main points of the lesson.
     • Connect theory to practice.
     • Provide resources for further study.
     • Show the relevance of the topic to students’ everyday lives.