Differences between History and storytelling (fiction) for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Nigerian History
Curriculum Theme: Concept of History
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; Critical Thinking
Skills:

• Differentiating between History and storytelling
• Differentiating History from Storytelling

Previous Lesson: History as a concept and a discipline
Topic: Meaning Of History: Differences Between History (Real Life Experience) And
Subject Matter: Differences between History and storytelling (fiction)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Compare an evidence-based historical account with storytelling or fiction.
• Classify simple examples as History or storytelling.
• Give a reason for each classification of examples as History or storytelling.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of evidence in historical accounts.
• Participate actively in group discussions and debates about history and storytelling.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively with peers during group activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts displaying examples of historical facts and fictional stories
• Computers (if available for internet search)
• Internet access (if available for research)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Textbooks on Nigerian History

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips students with critical thinking skills to distinguish between factual events and imaginative narratives. Understanding this difference is fundamental to appreciating the reliability and purpose of historical study. It helps students develop a discerning mind when encountering information, both academic and everyday.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what history is, as covered in the previous week’s lesson, and be familiar with simple stories.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Differences Between History and Storytelling (Fiction)

What is History?

History is the study of past events, people, and societies. It is based on facts, evidence, and verifiable records. Historians use sources like documents, artifacts, oral traditions, and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct and explain what happened in the past.

Key characteristics of History:

1. It deals with real events and real people.
2. It is supported by evidence (e.g., old letters, photographs, monuments).
3. Its purpose is to understand the past accurately.
4. It can be verified or proven.

What is Storytelling (Fiction)?

Storytelling, especially fiction, involves creating narratives that are imaginative and not necessarily based on real events or facts. These stories are often created for entertainment, to teach moral lessons, or to explore ideas, but they do not claim to be factual accounts of the past.

Key characteristics of Storytelling (Fiction):

1. It deals with imaginary events and characters.
2. It is created from the imagination of the author.
3. Its purpose is often entertainment or to convey a message symbolically.
4. It does not require factual evidence to support its claims.

Key Differences Between History and Storytelling

The main differences between History and storytelling (fiction) are:

1. Basis: History is based on facts and evidence, while storytelling is based on imagination.
2. Reality: History describes real events and people, while storytelling describes imaginary events and characters.
3. Purpose: The purpose of history is to understand and accurately record the past. The purpose of storytelling is often to entertain, teach, or express creativity.
4. Verifiability: Historical accounts can be verified through evidence. Fictional stories cannot be verified as real events.
5. Truth: History aims for factual truth. Storytelling aims for imaginative truth or emotional impact.

Classifying Examples as History or Storytelling

To classify an example as History or storytelling, consider the following:

1. Look for Evidence: Does the account provide dates, names of real people, places, or refer to documents, artifacts, or eyewitnesses? If yes, it is likely history.
2. Check for Verifiability: Can the events described be cross-checked with other reliable sources? If yes, it is history.
3. Identify the Purpose: Is the main aim to inform about actual past events, or to entertain with a creative narrative?
4. Consider the Language: Historical accounts often use precise, objective language, while fiction may use more descriptive, imaginative language.

Example 1: “On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British rule, with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa becoming its first Prime Minister.”

Classification: History.
Reason: This statement provides specific dates, names of real people and events that can be verified from historical records and documents.

Example 2: “Once upon a time, in a magical forest, a brave prince fought a fire-breathing dragon to save a beautiful princess.”

Classification: Storytelling (Fiction).
Reason: This statement uses imaginative elements like “magical forest” and “fire-breathing dragon” which are not real and cannot be verified with evidence.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Debate, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they learned about the meaning of History in the previous lesson. The teacher also asks students to share examples of stories they know.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by defining History and sharing some stories they know, such as folktales or fables.

Learning Point: Recalling History’s meaning

Step 2: Explanation of History

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what History is, emphasizing its reliance on facts, evidence, and real events. The teacher uses charts or examples to illustrate historical accounts.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and identify key features of historical accounts.

Learning Point: Understanding History’s nature

Step 3: Explanation of Storytelling (Fiction)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what storytelling (fiction) is, highlighting its imaginative nature and lack of factual basis. The teacher uses charts or examples of fictional stories.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and identify key features of fictional stories, differentiating them from historical facts.

Learning Point: Understanding fiction’s nature

Step 4: Class Discussion on Differences (Activity 1)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides a class discussion on the differences between History and storytelling, prompting students to consider evidence, purpose, and reality. The teacher can ask students to search the internet for “History as a concept” and “History as a discipline” if resources are available, and discuss the differences.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, sharing their observations and comparing the two concepts.

Learning Point: Comparing History and fiction

Step 5: Group Debate (Activity 2)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Facilitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups for a short debate on “Are History and storytelling the same?” Some groups will argue “yes” (as a creative narrative) and others “no” (as factual accounts), then the teacher moderates and clarifies.

Pupils’ Activity: Students engage in the debate, presenting their arguments and listening to opposing viewpoints, fostering critical thinking.

Learning Point: Debating History vs. fiction

Step 6: Guided Classification of Examples

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents various simple examples (e.g., “The story of Queen Amina of Zazzau” vs. “The tortoise and the snail”) and guides students to classify them as History or storytelling, asking for reasons for each classification.

Pupils’ Activity: Students classify the examples and provide justifications based on the characteristics discussed.

Learning Point: Classifying examples correctly

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is the main difference between History and storytelling?
2. Give one example of a historical account and explain why it is history.
3. Give one example of a fictional story and explain why it is fiction.
4. Why is evidence important in History?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessing understanding of differences

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the differences between History and storytelling into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording key lesson points

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key takeaway: History is about real, verifiable past events, while storytelling is imaginative. The teacher encourages students to always seek evidence when evaluating information about the past.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the main points of the lesson.

Learning Point: Consolidating core understanding

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: In your exercise books, provide two examples of historical events you have heard about and two examples of fictional stories. For each, state why you classify it as either history or storytelling. You can ask your parents or guardians for help with examples.

1. Historical Event 1: (Name and Reason)
2. Historical Event 2: (Name and Reason)
3. Fictional Story 1: (Name and Reason)
4. Fictional Story 2: (Name and Reason)

Lesson Keywords

• History – The study of past events, based on facts and evidence.
• Storytelling – The act of creating and narrating imaginative tales or accounts.
• Fiction – A type of story that is imaginary and not based on real events.
• Evidence – Facts, documents, or objects that prove something is true or real.
• Verifiable – Able to be checked or proven to be true.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simpler, more direct examples and guide them through the classification process step-by-step. Use visual aids extensively. For faster learners, challenge them to find more complex examples, research a specific historical event and a related fictional account, and articulate more nuanced differences between the two.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: “Difference between History and Fiction JSS 1” or “What is History vs Storytelling for kids”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, prepare charts with clear examples of both historical facts (e.g., dates of national events, names of historical figures) and fictional stories (e.g., excerpts from fables, myths). If internet access is available, prepare a few websites or search terms for Activity 1. During the lesson, ensure active participation in discussions and the group debate, guiding students to focus on the presence or absence of verifiable evidence as the core distinction. Allow students to copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching and evaluation, ensuring they have a clear record. For weaker learners, provide additional support during classification by breaking down the characteristics. Encourage faster learners to think critically about how historical narratives can sometimes incorporate elements of storytelling without becoming fiction.