What are some ways to help students develop a sense of historical context?

1 Use primary and secondary sources

One of the most effective ways to help students develop a sense of historical context is to use primary and secondary sources in your teaching. Primary sources are original documents, artifacts, or accounts that were created or recorded by people who witnessed or participated in historical events. Secondary sources are interpretations, analyses, or summaries of primary sources or historical topics by historians or other scholars. Using both types of sources can help students compare and contrast different perspectives, evaluate the reliability and validity of evidence, and draw their own conclusions about historical questions.

2 Incorporate multiple perspectives

Another way to help students develop a sense of historical context is to incorporate multiple perspectives in your teaching. Historical perspectives are the views, opinions, and attitudes of people in the past, which were influenced by their social, cultural, political, and economic backgrounds. Incorporating multiple perspectives can help students recognize the diversity and complexity of human experiences, as well as the causes and consequences of historical change and continuity. You can incorporate multiple perspectives by using sources from different groups, regions, or time periods, by discussing the impact of historical events on different people, or by asking students to role-play or debate different historical actors.

4 Provide background information

A fourth way to help students develop a sense of historical context is to provide background information in your teaching. Background information is the general or specific knowledge that helps students understand the historical setting, situation, or problem. Providing background information can help students establish the chronological and spatial framework of historical topics, as well as the key terms, concepts, or ideas that are relevant to historical inquiry. You can provide background information by using timelines, maps, charts, or glossaries, by giving lectures, presentations, or summaries, or by assigning readings, videos, or podcasts.

5 Encourage inquiry and reflection

A fifth way to help students develop a sense of historical context is to encourage inquiry and reflection in your teaching. Inquiry and reflection are the processes of asking questions, investigating sources, forming arguments, and communicating findings about historical topics. Encouraging inquiry and reflection can help students develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, as well as the curiosity and interest in learning more about history. You can encourage inquiry and reflection by using inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, or problem-based learning methods, by facilitating discussions, debates, or presentations, or by assigning essays, journals, or portfolios.

6 Model historical thinking

A sixth way to help students develop a sense of historical context is to model historical thinking in your teaching. Historical thinking is the ability to use historical evidence, concepts, and methods to understand and interpret the past. Modeling historical thinking can help students learn how to approach and analyze historical topics, as well as how to appreciate the nature and value of history as a discipline. You can model historical thinking by using historical questions, hypotheses, or arguments, by explaining your reasoning, evidence, or sources, or by demonstrating your awareness, empathy, or judgment.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?