Why History Matters?

Tyler Game

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Why History Matters

Students will be able to explain at least three reasons why studying history is important and connect historical events to contemporary issues, fostering an appreciation for the past's influence on the present and future.

Understanding history helps students develop critical thinking skills, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions about current events. It connects them to a broader human narrative and helps them understand their own place in the world.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, a brief presentation, and a reflective activity, students will explore the value of history.

Materials

Why History Matters? Slide Deck, History Warm-Up Warm Up, Connecting Past & Present Worksheet, and History Reflection Cool Down

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Review the Why History Matters? Slide Deck and customize as needed.
- Print copies of the History Warm-Up (1 per student).
- Print copies of the Connecting Past & Present Worksheet (1 per student).
- Ensure projector/smartboard is set up for the slide deck.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

Greet students and introduce the day's topic: 'Why History Matters'.
- Distribute the History Warm-Up and give students 2-3 minutes to complete it.
- Briefly discuss student responses, highlighting initial thoughts on history's importance.

Step 2

Why History Matters? Presentation & Discussion

15 minutes

Present the Why History Matters? Slide Deck.
- Facilitate a discussion around each slide, encouraging students to share examples and connect concepts to their own experiences.
- Key discussion points:
- Learning from mistakes/successes of the past.
- Understanding current events and global issues.
- Appreciating cultural heritage and diversity.
- Developing critical thinking and empathy.

Step 3

Connecting Past & Present Activity

7 minutes

Distribute the Connecting Past & Present Worksheet.
- Instruct students to work individually or in pairs to complete the worksheet, drawing connections between historical events and modern-day situations.
- Circulate and provide support as needed.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Cool-Down

3 minutes

Bring the class back together.
- Have a few students share their connections from the worksheet.
- Distribute the History Reflection Cool Down as an exit ticket. Collect as students leave.

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Slide Deck

Why History Matters?

What comes to mind when you hear the word "history"?

Is it just old stories and dates?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of the lesson. Ask students to think about why we even bother with something that happened so long ago.

More Than Just Dates

History is not just a collection of old facts, dates, and people.

It's the story of us.

How does understanding a story help you understand the characters or what might happen next?

Introduce the idea that history isn't just about the past, but about understanding our present and shaping our future. Engage students with a question that connects history to their lives.

Learning From the Past

Imagine your grandparents telling you stories about their childhood.

What can you learn from their experiences?

Societies are the same way! We learn from the choices people made before us – both good and bad.

Discuss how learning from past mistakes and successes can help us in the present. Give a simple, relatable example if needed (e.g., learning from a previous test to study differently for the next).

Understanding Our World Today

Have you ever wondered why certain countries are friends or enemies?

Why do we celebrate certain holidays?

History provides the answers to why our world is the way it is now.

Explain how historical events shape the world we live in today. Connect historical movements or discoveries to modern technologies, cultures, or political systems.

Building Empathy & Critical Thinking

History introduces us to people from different times and places.

How did they live?
What did they believe?
What challenges did they face?

Understanding their stories helps us to understand others and think deeply about the world.

Emphasize empathy and critical thinking. Discuss how studying different perspectives in history helps us understand others and think more deeply about complex issues.

History: Your Superpower!

History gives you the tools to:

Learn from past experiences.
Understand current events.
Make better decisions for the future.

It's not just their story; it's our story and your future!

Summarize the key takeaways and reinforce the idea that history is a dynamic and essential subject. Transition to the worksheet activity.

Warm Up

History Warm-Up

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

What do you think history is?
Why do you think people study history?
Do you think history is important? Why or why not?

Worksheet

Connecting Past & Present Worksheet

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Directions: For each historical event or concept below, think about how it connects to something happening in the world today. Explain your connection in 2-3 sentences.

The invention of the printing press (around 1440): This made books and information more widely available.
The fight for civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s: People organized to demand equal rights and end discrimination.
Ancient Roman roads and infrastructure: The Romans built vast networks of roads, aqueducts, and public buildings.
The exploration of new lands (15th-17th centuries): European explorers sailed across oceans, leading to new trade routes and encounters between cultures.
The development of early forms of democracy in Ancient Greece: Citizens participated in decision-making for their city-states.

Cool Down

History Reflection Cool Down

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

What is one new thing you learned or realized about history today?
Why do you think it is important for you to know about history?
On a scale of 1-5 (1 being not important at all, 5 being extremely important), how important do you think studying history is? Briefly explain your rating.

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