Help Students Think Like Historians
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Hi Reader, One of the most important things we can teach in Social Studies isn’t what happened—it’s how to think about what happened. That’s where historical thinking skills come in. Whether you're teaching Grade 6, 7, or 8, students need to learn how to ask questions, evaluate sources, and decide what (and who) matters in history. Tip of the Week: Teach the Thinking Behind the ContentSet students up for success by teaching:
Start the year with these skills, and your students will be more confident historians all year long. Featured Resources:Media Literacy: Evaluating Sources – BC Social Studies 6 Inquiry and Historical Thinking Unit – BC Social Studies 7 Historical Significance Mini-Unit – BC Social Studies 8 "This is a great way to get students thinking together about how history and the events of the world impact our ways of life and thinking. Great resource!" - Jodi Z. Looking to tie these skills into your civilizations or migration units? Let me know—I’d be happy to help you build your term plan. Talk soon,
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Hi Teachers, Persuasive writing can be one of the most powerful, and most challenging, forms of writing we teach. Many middle school students struggle to move beyond “I think this because…” and into structured, evidence-based writing. Here’s a simple teacher tip I’ve found effective: 👉 Use the “O-I-Q” strategy with artifacts or issues. Have students Observe, then Infer, then Question before they even start drafting. This quick routine pushes them to notice details, make claims, and ask deeper...
Hi Reader, One of my favourite ways to hook students at the start of a Social Studies unit is through artifact analysis. Instead of beginning with a lecture or reading, I give students an image of an artifact connected to an ancient civilization and let curiosity lead the way. Here’s a simple routine you can try tomorrow: Observe – What do you notice? (Facts only, no guesses yet!) Infer – What might this artifact have been used for? Question – What does this make you wonder about the people...
Hi Reader, Do your students struggle to back up their ideas with solid evidence? One quick tip that has really helped my middle school students write stronger answers in Social Studies is using the C.E.R. framework—Claim, Evidence, Reasoning. Here’s how it works: Claim – Students start with a clear statement that answers the question. Evidence – They back up their claim with facts, examples, or sources. Reasoning – Finally, they explain how their evidence supports their claim. This simple...