LEARNING HOW TO LEARN…THE METHODS OF

HISTORYMany of these methodologies are

cross-curricular.

But in History…

• Each method can be applied to a story, giving the elements that are interesting to people of all ages:

* plot

* drama

* intrigue

* good vs. evil

The challenge for good teachers…

• To make the story elements work for you to sustain students’ interest.

• This is what educators mean when they talk about “making History come alive”.

The strategies you can use to do this include…

• Analyzing• Brainstorming• Examining cause and effect• Using charts and graphic organizers• Using flow charts• Classifying• Comparing (in words, charts,Venn diagrams)

Strategies you can use to do this include…

• Concept posters• Chronologies and timelines• Cartoon analysis• Critical thinking ( e.g., differentiating

between facts and opinion, detecting bias, building a critical thinking model)

• Debating• Games

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Interviewing• Interpreting images• Decision making• Essay writing• Teaching popular propaganda techniques• Varying your sources ( primary, secondary, objects from the past)• Graphing (bar, line, and circle)• Teaching strong note making (T-notes, point form, outline notes)• Teaching graphic note making (webs, flow charts, mind maps)• Teaching notebook organization• Teaching study skills

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Teaching a problem solving model• Role playing/ simulations• Researching on the internet (teach not to

plagiarize)• Teach the skills of self-assessment, group

assessment, and project assessment• Teach how to learn new vocabulary; use

active, concept clarification approaches

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Teach writing in its many storytelling forms:

* biography

* diary or journal

* friendly letter

* hard news story ( 5 W’s & How?)

* historical story

* play/ skit

* short story

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Teach writing in its many persuasive forms: * advertisements * brochures/ pamphlets/ flyers * editorials * essays (especially comparison and argumentative formats) * letters to the editor * political cartoons * reviews or critiques of products or performances * speeches

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Teaching writing in its several expository forms:

* instructions

* directions

* how-to manuals

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Teach writing in its many report forms: * census taking * news report * newspaper * magazine or newspaper feature article * research report * survey/ poll/ questionnaire * interview

Strategies you can use to do this…

• Teach descriptive writing:

* teach to write about details that

appeal to the senses

* teach to consider careful wording

choices ( high impact words)

But mainly…

Teach actively…don’t be the football star confined to the classroom!