WHAT IS HISTORY?

History is … ___________

learning…

studying …

investigating…

evaluating …

Evidence

• Example• The murder weapon

was evidence to prove the murderer’s guilt.

• Excessive carbon in the atmosphere provides evidence to support the theory of global warming

• Meaning

• Information that can be used to support a conclusion or prove a point

Artifact

• A human-made object • A letter, tool, artwork, weapon, recordings, movies are examples of artifacts

Primary Source

• Document or other record of a past event created by people who were present at that event

• An eye-witness

account is a primary source.

• The Gettysburg Address is a primary source for the history of ______________

Secondary Source

• Document, book or commentary created by someone not present at the event. Usually derived from evidence from primary sources

• A biography of Abraham Lincoln is a secondary source.

• The HBO special on John Adams is a secondary source.

Point-of-View

• The unique outlook of the reporter or witness

• A person’s point-of view may be influenced by gender, age, religion, past experience, political views

Historical Interpretation

• The process of finding the meaning

or significance

of historical events.

• Discussing how or why something happened or its impact on future events is historical interpretation

WHAT IS HISTORY?

History is … ___________

learning…

studying …

investigating…

evaluating …

2 sentences

WHY STUDY HISTORY?

We study history in order to….___________________.

develop…

improve…

become…

learn…

4 Reasons to Study History

1. History helps us develop empathy for others.

2. History makes us better thinkers.

3. History teaches us to avoid errors of the past.

4. History is interesting.

I believe the most important reason to study history is that _________. I believe this because _________________________

**Another reason I believe it is important to study history is _________

Write a 1-2 paragraph response. Why study history?

Use these sentence frames to discuss with your partner