Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: Meaning of History: Sources of History and Dating.
Topic: HISTORICAL SKILLS; ANCIENT AND MODERN APPROACH
Subject Matter: meaning of historical skills, observation and interpretation of evidence, asking historical questions, comparing sources, ancient approach to studying the past, modern approach to studying the past

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define historical skills.
Identify various historical skills.
Differentiate between the ancient and modern approaches to studying the past.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of historical skills in understanding the past.
Develop an interest in critically evaluating historical information.

Psychomotor Domain:

Observe and interpret historical evidence from given artifacts.
Formulate historical questions based on sources.

Collaborate with peers to discuss and compare historical sources.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for History.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary History.
Adediran, A. (2010). Comprehensive History for Senior Secondary Schools. University Press PLC.
https://www.history.org.uk/secondary/resource/3865/developing-historical-skills-at-ks3-and-ks4
https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199596482.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199596482-e-001

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Cultural artifacts (e.g., old tools, traditional cloths, pottery shards).
Pictures of historical events or figures.
Charts displaying different types of historical sources (primary and secondary).
Whiteboard and markers/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand how historians gather, analyze, and interpret information about the past. Learning historical skills enables pupils to critically evaluate historical accounts and develop a deeper understanding of historical events and their relevance to the present day.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what history is and some common sources of historical information from their previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

HISTORICAL SKILLS; ANCIENT AND MODERN APPROACH

Meaning of Historical Skills

Historical skills are the abilities historians use to investigate, analyze, and interpret information from the past. These skills help in understanding historical events, individuals, and societies.

Key Historical Skills

The following are important historical skills:

Observation and Interpretation of Evidence: This involves carefully examining historical sources (artifacts, documents, pictures) to understand their nature, origin, and what they reveal. Interpretation means explaining the meaning or significance of the evidence.
Asking Historical Questions: This skill involves formulating relevant questions about the past to guide research and inquiry. Questions help to identify what needs to be known about an event or period.
Comparing Sources: This involves examining multiple historical sources on the same topic to identify similarities, differences, biases, and reliability. Comparing sources helps to build a more complete and accurate historical picture.

Ancient Approach to Studying the Past

The ancient approach to studying the past was often based on oral traditions, myths, legends, and limited written records. It was largely descriptive and often focused on the actions of rulers, gods, and significant events without much critical analysis of sources.

The following are characteristics of the ancient approach:

Reliance on oral accounts, often passed down through generations.
Emphasis on storytelling and epic narratives.
Limited systematic verification of facts.
Tendency to blend history with mythology and religious beliefs.
Focus on documenting events rather than analyzing causes and effects deeply.

Modern Approach to Studying the Past

The modern approach to studying the past is scientific, systematic, and critical. It emphasizes the use of diverse sources, critical analysis, verification of evidence, and the formulation of theories to explain historical phenomena.

The following are characteristics of the modern approach:

Emphasis on primary sources and their critical evaluation.
Use of scientific methods for dating and analyzing artifacts (e.g., carbon dating, archaeological excavation).
Interdisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science.
Focus on cause and effect, patterns, and long-term historical processes.
Acknowledgement of different perspectives and interpretations of the past.
Rigorous verification of facts and cross-referencing of sources.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on sources of history. The teacher then asks pupils how they think historians find out about things that happened a very long time ago. The teacher introduces the topic, “Historical Skills; Ancient and Modern Approach.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen to the teacher’s introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Historical Skills

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of historical skills as abilities used by historians to investigate and interpret the past. The teacher emphasizes that these skills are like tools for understanding history.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of historical skills.

Step 3: Key Historical Skills

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents cultural artifacts or pictures of historical sources. The teacher guides pupils to observe the artifacts, asking questions like “What do you see?”, “What might this have been used for?”, “Who might have used it?”. The teacher then explains observation and interpretation of evidence, asking historical questions, and comparing sources as key historical skills, linking them to the activity.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the artifacts, answer questions, and discuss the skills involved in studying them.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand key historical skills through practical examples.

Step 4: Ancient Approach to Studying the Past

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Lecture/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how history was studied in ancient times, focusing on reliance on oral traditions, myths, and limited critical analysis. The teacher highlights characteristics such as storytelling and blending history with mythology.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the characteristics of the ancient approach to history.

Step 5: Modern Approach to Studying the Past

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Lecture/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the modern, scientific approach to history, emphasizing critical analysis of primary sources, use of scientific methods, and interdisciplinary studies. The teacher contrasts this with the ancient approach.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, compare with the ancient approach, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the characteristics of the modern approach to history.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define historical skills in your own words.
Mention two key historical skills.
State two characteristics of the ancient approach to studying the past.
Explain one difference between the ancient and modern approaches to history.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of historical skills and the evolution of historical study. The teacher assigns homework: “Research and write a short paragraph on how archaeology contributes to the modern study of history.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given an assignment to reinforce understanding.

Lesson Keywords

Historical Skills – Abilities used to investigate, analyze, and interpret the past.
Evidence – Information or objects that help to prove or disprove a historical claim.
Ancient Approach – Early methods of studying history, often relying on oral traditions and myths.
Modern Approach – Current systematic and critical methods of historical inquiry, using diverse sources and scientific tools.
Interpretation – Explaining the meaning or significance of historical evidence.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to find examples of how historical skills are used in everyday life. For those who need more support, the teacher will provide simplified definitions and more guided practice in observing and interpreting the provided artifacts or pictures.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have a variety of cultural artifacts or clear pictures of historical sources to make the lesson engaging and practical. Encourage active participation and critical thinking among pupils when discussing the different approaches to history.