A LESSON IN THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY WHY STUDY HISTORY?

A L E S S O N I N T H E I M P O RTA N C E O F H I S T O RY

WHY STUDY HISTORY?

WARM-UP QUESTION (IN PAGE 12)

• Draw a line in the middle of page 12.

• On the top part of the page answer each question in COMPLETE SENTENCES using the sentence starters:

1. What is history?• Sentence Starter: • History is…

2. Why is history a required subject in school?• Sentence Starter:• History is a required subject in

school because…

13

12

THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING HISTORY

• http://youtu.be/vgmNkYUL_Cw

WHY CORNELL NOTES?

NOW, LET’S SET UP OUR PAPERS

• IN Page 13:Set-up your page like this

Record the Essential Question: What is the importance of studying history?

13

Why Study History?Essential Question: What is the importance of studying history?

Notes go here!

QUESTIONS

Summary

“THE SUPREME PURPOSE OF HISTORY IS A BETTER WORLD.”

-HERBERT HOOVER

HISTORY & HISTORIANS

• History: a record of important events in the order they happened, often including an explanation of their causes

• Historian: A writer, student, or scholar of history. One who writes or compiles a chronological record of events

Chronological refers to the order

of events

WHAT IS HISTORY?

“History is the lie commonly agreed upon” – Voltaire

“If you would understand anything,

observe its beginning and its development.”

Aristotle

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are

guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I

know no way of judging the future but by the

past.”

Edward Gibbon

#1: HISTORY ILLUMINATES THE PRESENT

• History helps us understand and survive the world we live in. Without understanding the history of issues facing us today, we will not be able to solve them.

#1- EXAMPLES• In order to address

inequalities in the United States, we must look to our history to find out how some people ended up with so much and others with so little.

• In order to try and solve the conflict between Israel and Palestine today, we must first understand why they are fighting. The answer can only be found in history.

#2: SKILLS

• Studying history gives us an opportunity to develop extremely important skills that will help us in all stages of our lives, no matter who we are or what we do. You don’t have to be a historian to benefit from history class!

#2- EXAMPLES

Evaluating the reliability and credibility of different sources, including TV, films, textbooks, etc.

Thinking for yourself; formulating and depending independent thoughts.

Reading, writing, research, public speaking and listening.

Teamwork Organization and

Responsibility

Aghhhhh!

#3: INSPIRATION THROUGH HISTORY

• Through history we find INSPIRATION in the great individuals, groups, and events of the past.

• Learning about this can inspire us to lead greater lives in the present.

#3- EXAMPLES

Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement

Gandhi, non-violent protest and independence for India

Harriett Tubman and the Underground Railroad

#4: AVOIDING MISTAKES OF THE PAST

•“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”•Maya Angelou•Through history we learn to avoid repeating the terrible mistakes of the past.

#4 EXAMPLES

• Examples:

• Slavery• The Holocaust• Child Labor• Oppressive

Government

#5: DECISION MAKING

By examining complex questions and issues from the past, we can learn to make good decisions in the present.

◦ History is not about memorizing dates and names- it’s about learning how to THINK!

Examples: The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Atomic Bomb, The Declaration of Independence in 1776

#6: A COMMON CULTURE

• History helps to provide us with a common culture, or common identity that unites us.

#6: A COMMON CULTURE

• “History is especially important for Americans. In many nations- Japan or Sweden, for instance- most citizens share a common background. They have a similar look. They may worship in the same church. That isn’t true of us. Some of us were once Chinese, or Italian, or Turkish, or Ethiopian. Americans don’t all look alike. Sometimes we don’t think alike. But as Americans we do share something. It is our history. We Americans share a common heritage. If you are an American, then the Indians, the Vikings, the Pilgrims, and the slaves are all your ancestors. You will want to know their stories.” Joy Hakim, historian.

#7: CURRENT EVENTS

Through the study of current events, history gives us the opportunity to evaluate what’s happening in our world RIGHT NOW and to make an immediate impact.

JOBS OF THE HISTORIAN

• Historians have at least four different jobs• Each of these jobs is

important to understand the past so we are able to understand ourselves, our society and our world

THE DETECTIVE

• Investigates the past• Determines what

happened• Separates truth from

falsehoods or misinterpretations• Separates out bias in

historical writing to find the truth (or as close as possible)

THE STORYTELLER

• Tells the story of history to others• Imparts lessons,

morals, and other learning of history • Entertains and

fascinates with the epic story of our history

THE JUDGE

• Judges history and makes moral decisions. Example: was someone evil or just misunderstood?• Ever heard the

saying, “We will see how history judges me?”• Sorts what should be

emulated and what should be discarded

THE PHILOSOPHER

• Is a reflector and may also be speculating on what was right or wrong• Ponders important

questions and attempts to pull out meaning from history• Not only speculates

on the lessons of the past but also may attempt to predict the future

FIRST REPETITION

• Go through your notes and 1. Circle key words2. Highlight main ideas3. Put a (*) next to information you think I’ll ask

you on a test4. Put a (?) next to anything you don’t understand

SECOND REPETITION

• Go back to your notes on the importance of history (IN page 13) • Read through your notes in the right column• Create questions about your notes in the left

column

THIRD REPETITION

• Go back to your notes on the importance of history• Read through your Essential Question, notes and

questions you created in the left column• Write a summary at the bottom of your paper (the

number of sentences in your summary should correspond to the number of questions on your paper)

WORLD MAP INSTRUCTIONS

• Label the Continents & Oceans

• Label England & West Africa (outlined on your map)

• Color each continent a different color