How to Teach History in Five Easy Steps
John De Gree
ClassicalHistorian.com
Booth 1026
The De Gree Family
My Inspiration
•My Dad and a Large Family
•Learning Czech, German, and History Abroad
•22 Years of Teaching, 18 years of Parenting ,
and Mathew 5: the Call to Perfection
•Books: Carl Gustavson A Preface to History,
Jacques Barzun The Modern Researcher
•Lack of Critical Thinking Education in History
•Modern Education: Indoctrination, not
Teaching how to Recognize the Truth
Dorothy Sayers – Modern
Proponent of Classical Education
– A Methodology of Learning
•Grammar Stage – before age 12
•Play Games, Eat Dinner Together, Talk
With Your Children, Visit Museums
•Dialectic, or Logic, Stage – from
11 - 13
•Rhetoric Stage – from 14
Classical Education in History
• It is an approach, first implemented by Greek
Historians Herodotus and Thucydides…
1. The Tools of the Historian
2. Open-Ended Questions
3. Research in Primary and Secondary
Resources
4. The Socratic Discussion
5. The Analytical Writing Process
1. The Tools of the Historian
1. Opinion or Fact?
2. Making Historical Judgment
3. Supporting Evidence 4. Analyzing Primary and
Secondary Sources
5. Using Quotes
6. Paraphrasing
7. Prioritizing by Importance
8. The Socratic Discussion 9. Cause and Effect
10. Compare and Contrast 11. Change over Time
12. Writing Process: Thesis Statement, Conclusion,
Topic Sentence, Closer, Outline, Rough Draft, Revising,
Counter Argument
Tool #1: Fact, or Opinion
A fact in history is a statement that is accepted as
true. A fact often refers to a date, a person, or a
document. For example, “The Declaration of
Independence was written and signed in 1776.”
We know this happened because we have the
original document, the men who wrote and
signed this document wrote about it, and
observers wrote about it as well. There is no
doubt in anybody’s mind whether the facts in this
statement are true.
Fact or Opinion?
• An opinion is an expression of somebody’s
ideas and is debatable. Opinions that are
based on facts and good reasoning are
stronger than opinions not based on facts. In
history, opinions alone tend to be less
persuasive than when a person supports his
opinions with facts.
Fact or Opinion?
• Opinion or Fact?
• 1.
Life for early man was more peaceful than
our life today.
• 2.
Teachers who are nice don’t assign
homework.
• 3.
Almost everybody’s favorite food is pizza.
• 4.
Mesopotamia means “the land between two
rivers.”
• 5.
The Declaration of Independence was
signed in 1776.
2. Open-Ended Questions
Question Types of the Historian
Cause and Effect
Change over Time
Compare and Contrast
Define and Identify
Statement/Reaction
Evaluation
Analyzing Viewpoints
Questions: Influences of History
(Barzun and Gustavson)
Technology
Social forces
Institutional factor
Revolution
Individual in history
The role of ideas
Power
International organization
Causation
Loyalty
Open-Ended History Questions
1. What was the greatest reason for the End of the Roman Empire?
2. Why did Rome change from persecuting Christians to adopting
Christianity?
3. Was Napoleon a hero or a villain?
4. Was Charlemagne more pagan or Christian?
5. Who held more power in medieval Europe: The Popes or the
Kings?
6. What was the primary reason for the Reformation?
7. Was the U.S. justified in dropping the atomic bomb on Japan?
8. Compare and contrast a free market system to a planned
economy. Which is better?
9. What is the proper role of religion in American education?
10. Who has been America’s greatest demagogue?
3. Research
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Various Authors
We we don’t use Fiction
How to Trust Your Sources?
4. The Socratic Discussion
Students present their argument and the
Teacher/Tutor asks them to defend it with
evidence and logic.
http://www.classicalhistorian.com/videosamples.html
Beware: The outcome may be different
than what you think!
5. Analytical Writing Lessons
Thesis, Outline, Rough Draft, Revising
Turn the Socratic Discussion into an
Analytical Essay
Why? Good Talkers Don’t Always Do
the Work!
Teacher’s Role: Experts Need Not Apply
Be Patient
Kind
Compassionate
Questioning
Know What You Don’t Know
=
Be The Best Person/Mom or Dad!
What the Classical Historian
Recommends…
1. 32 Week Guide for the Parent
2. Take a Stand! Book
3. Teaching the Socratic Discussion
DVD Curriculum
4. History Texts and Primary Sources
5. Writing Lessons
GHC Specials
15% off All Complete Curriculum
Free Shipping
Best Sale of the Year
The Classical Historian
• Online Classes for Grades 6-12
• Weekly Current Event from the JudeoChristian Perspective via Email
• Games that make Learning History
Fun for All Ages
• The Socratic Discussion in History
• www.classicalhistorian.com