aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	History
What age group	Year or Grade 5
What topic	How do historians think about history
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Lesson Introduction: Uncovering the Mind of a Historian

Welcome, Young Explorers!

Today, we're embarking on a thrilling adventure through time—a journey that will help us understand not just what happened in the past, but how we think and learn about it! Historians are like detectives, piecing together clues from days gone by, and we're going to put on our detective hats to see how they do it.

The Time Machine Activity

What You Need:

• A piece of plain paper or a notebook
• Colored pencils or markers
• A timer (5 minutes)

Instructions:

1. Set the Scene: Imagine you have just discovered a time machine! This machine allows you to travel back to any moment in history.

2. Create Your Destination: Think of a time and place in history that fascinates you—maybe it's ancient Egypt, the American Revolution, or the Roaring Twenties.

3. Record Your Thoughts: On your paper, write down:

   • The time and place you want to visit.
   • Three questions you would want to ask a historian about that time and place (for example, "What was daily life like?" or "How did people communicate?").

4. Draw a Picture: Use your colored pencils or markers to draw what you imagine this historical scene would look like.

5. Sharing Time: After 5 minutes, you'll share your destination, questions, and drawings with a partner or the class.

Conclusion:

As we share and learn from each other, think about how historians gather information to answer your questions. They investigate, analyze, and interpret clues—much like you're doing today! By the end of this lesson, you'll understand how historians think about history, and you'll be ready to explore some of their methods for uncovering the past.

Are you ready to become a history detective? Let’s dive into the world of historians!