History // Historical Thinking

Evidence from the Past

Understand that everything we know about the past comes from evidence — objects, buildings, pictures, documents, and stories that have survived

Ages
6 to 7
Type
Thinking skill
Builds on
2 topics
Leads to
3 topics

Quick check

When the learner learns about something that happened long ago, do they ask how we know about it — and understand that someone had to find or leave behind that evidence?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Wineburg historical thinking framework
  • Historical Thinking in the Elementary Years (ERIC)

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

2 topics
  • Vocabulary: historical thinkingRequired

    Historical Thinking // Ages 6 to 10

    Understanding that everything we know comes from evidence requires 'evidence' and 'source' vocabulary

  • Thinking Before StartingHelpful

    Learning to Learn // Learning to Learn // Ages 6 to 7

    Understanding that knowledge of the past comes from surviving evidence builds on the habit of activating prior knowledge — what do I already know, and where did that knowledge come from?

You are here

Evidence from the Past

Ages 6 to 7 // Thinking skill

Leads to

3 topics
  • Different Accounts of the Same EventRequired

    Historical Thinking // Ages 6 to 8

    Recognising that accounts can differ requires first understanding that accounts exist because people left behind evidence

  • Battle of Hastings and 1066Helpful

    Medieval Times // Ages 7 to 9

    Cross-domain: understanding historical evidence (Historical Thinking) enriches use of Bayeux Tapestry as source

  • Evidence for Greek and Roman LifeHelpful

    Ancient Greece & Rome // Ages 9 to 11

    Basic concept that knowledge of the past comes from evidence underpins this topic

History // Historical Thinking

More in Historical Thinking

All 7 topics