Welcome to IB History
How much History do I know?
Introducing the course
Task - The 30 minute planning challenge
Download the current IB History specification from this link.
In groups of 2/3 you must work against the clock to plan your IB course. You must prepare an overview of the course to present to the class.
Things to consider;
Which areas of knowledge will you study? What are the main sub-topics?
Which exams will you sit?
What must you cover at SL and HL?
How long to you have?
Do you have to do coursework?
What skills do you need?
In groups of 2/3 you must work against the clock to plan your IB course. You must prepare an overview of the course to present to the class.
Things to consider;
Which areas of knowledge will you study? What are the main sub-topics?
- Military Leaders
- Authoritarian States
- Independence Movements
- Monarchies in England and France
- The French Revolution
Which exams will you sit?
What must you cover at SL and HL?
How long to you have?
Do you have to do coursework?
What skills do you need?
Introducing knowledge
How is your general knowledge of the past?
Take the socrative quiz on World History to see how much you know about the past
https://b.socrative.com/login/student/
Room number - SOC-29446301
Your teacher must start the quiz before you can take the quiz
Take the socrative quiz on World History to see how much you know about the past
https://b.socrative.com/login/student/
Room number - SOC-29446301
Your teacher must start the quiz before you can take the quiz
Introducing the concepts
Is significance a perspective?
- Watch the following music video of Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t start the Fire’ that includes images for each of the events mentioned in the song .
- Choose year of the events in the song and research each event using this website answering the following 5 key questions:
- What was the event? What happened?
- Who was involved?
- When did it take place?
- Where did it happen?
- Why do you think Billy Joel included this in his song?
- DOWNLOAD the chart below and record your chosen year, a list of the events, a brief summary of what happened and the reason WHY you think Billy Joel chose this event.
| billy_joel’s_significant_events_of_the_twentieth_century.docx |
4. Make a whole class list of reasons why the events may have been selected on the board.
5. Whole-class sorting activity wherein students form groups with people who suggested similar possible reasons for inclusion in the song. Students to agree a broad title or name for their group, which then becomes a student led significance criterion. Check the class criteria against some the most recent research into historical significance attached here.
6. Class discussion to think of events, people, inventions, etc. in the years since ‘We Didn’t start the Fire’ was released in 1989. students then work in smaller groups to brainstorm as many ideas as possible.
7. Using the significance criteria produced previously, students discuss the events that they have brainstormed and cross out ones that do not fit.
5. Whole-class sorting activity wherein students form groups with people who suggested similar possible reasons for inclusion in the song. Students to agree a broad title or name for their group, which then becomes a student led significance criterion. Check the class criteria against some the most recent research into historical significance attached here.
6. Class discussion to think of events, people, inventions, etc. in the years since ‘We Didn’t start the Fire’ was released in 1989. students then work in smaller groups to brainstorm as many ideas as possible.
7. Using the significance criteria produced previously, students discuss the events that they have brainstormed and cross out ones that do not fit.
Introducing the skills
The map challenge
On a sheet of A3 paper draw a map of the world from memory.
Try to label the map with as may countries as possible.
Try to label the map with as may countries as possible.
Thinking TOK
What is History? - An introduction to the philosophy of History
Task: Consider the question 'what is history?'
In Pairs select one of the following questions - what do you think?
Further reading
Task - How much does Bish know?
Get into pairs or groups of 3 for this task. You will need iPads to complete your activity
Collecting data
Study the list of Theory of Knowledge questions attached here. Read them all and discuss in your group your thoughts on each one.
Select 3 to 4 questions that you find most intriguing and prepare a short questionnaire. Head off around school to ask people your questions. Try to find lots of different people (students and staff) to interview. Decide how you will record your answers - video/survey/interview etc.
Analyzing data
Review your findings - what were the common answers? Which questions were most challenging? Did age/gender/position affect the responses?
Prepare a written/video report of your findings to present to class.
Collecting data
Study the list of Theory of Knowledge questions attached here. Read them all and discuss in your group your thoughts on each one.
Select 3 to 4 questions that you find most intriguing and prepare a short questionnaire. Head off around school to ask people your questions. Try to find lots of different people (students and staff) to interview. Decide how you will record your answers - video/survey/interview etc.
Analyzing data
Review your findings - what were the common answers? Which questions were most challenging? Did age/gender/position affect the responses?
Prepare a written/video report of your findings to present to class.