History

Introduction

Sean Coleman

2026-03-17

Today’s Goals

  • Construct an understanding of what the IB says History is through inquiry

Framework

  • Scope
  • Methods & Tools
  • Perspective
  • Ethics

Warm-up

Discuss:

  • Is it possible to know what happened in the past?
  • Is historical knowledge distinct from other types of knowledge?

Activity 1

Task (7 minutes):

Describe last Saturday as if it were a historical account of the day. Include as many details as possible. Be prepared to share with others.

Discussion

  • What details did people include in their accounts?
  • How are the accounts similar?
  • What details are missing?
  • How confident are you that this is what actually happened?

Follow-up

What does this tell us about the nature of a historical account?

Activity 2

Scenario

Imagine that a murder occurred in a nearby village on that same day, and you are all suspects.

The police do not believe your stories.

Task

  • How could you prove what happened during your day?
  • Find evidence for each part of your story.

Discussion

  • What counts as evidence?
  • What kinds of evidence did you use?
  • What else could serve as evidence?

Activity 3

Scenario

While researching in a library, you discover an account written 500 years ago.

Discuss

  • What difficulties might you face when trying to produce a historical interpretation of the document?
  • Now imagine that someone discovers your own account in 500 years, while researching a typical day of a teenager in your area.
  • What problems might they face when trying to interpret it?

Reflection

  • How can we know what happened in the past?
  • What are some characteristics of historical accounts?
  • What problems might historians face when interpreting them?

Looking Ahead

  • Thursday
    • Scope (clarification and “right answers”)
  • Friday
    • Museum Visit

ManageBac

  • Task due at 8:00 Monday
  • Use your time wisely! Most is doable during class on Friday