Thinking About History
Teaching historical thinking
The study of history comes alive and is more engaging and meaningful for students when they learn how to think like an historian.
Introducing the core concepts of historical thinking
Building on the work of Professor Peter Seixas of the University of British Columbia, TC² has developed engaging videos with accompanying lesson plans to introduce students to six historical thinking concepts that enable them to go beyond merely learning historical information to thinking deeply about history.
Historical significance
This video introduces students to the factors that determine what and who from the past should be remembered, researched, taught and learned (7:14 minutes)
Evidence and interpretation
This video introduces the validation, interpretation and use of primary and secondary sources of historical information in the construction of historical accounts and arguments (6:55 minutes)
Continuity and change
This video explains how lives and conditions are alike over periods of time and how they changed for people and societies that came before and after (6:19 minutes)
Cause and consequence
This video considers who or what influenced history and what were the repercussions of these changes (6:20 minutes)
Historical perspective
This video discusses the viewing of the past through the social, intellectual, emotional and ethical lenses of the time (5:53 minutes)
Ethical Judgment
This video explores assessing the past and the implications of past actions in light of past and present norms about the appropriate treatment of others (6:53 minutes)
Resources to support historical thinking
Doing historical inquiry
Students bring history to life and direct their own learning by doing history, particularly through rich, hands-on project-based inquiry. With the following resources, educators can support students to research their own inquiry, take intellectual risks and learn curricular content by constructing meaning rather than simply absorbing facts.
Inquiring into local and Indigenous histories
Developed for grades 1-12 and available in French and English, these lessons are designed to nurture the student competencies required for historical thinking and inquiry. Each lesson introduces a thinking tool and a related historical thinking concept that can then be used to support curriculum-related learning activities and inquiry projects.
Tools to support historical inquiry
The following lesson plans from the Tools for Thought collection develop the techniques of effective historical research and inquiry. These resources, useful at both the elementary and secondary levels, include teacher notes, detailed instructions and relevant activity sheets.
