Reflecting on Historical Inquiry

Background

After students have completed their inquiry project, an oral or written reflection can help them evaluate their progress and celebrate their learning. Teachers can also use reflection as part of their assessment.

This lesson will help students reflect on what they have learned throughout their inquiry project. It will also encourage them to reflect on larger concepts related to the study of history and its importance and relevance to society.

Activity

In small groups, have your students discuss some of the following questions:

• What have you learned?
• Were you successful in your project?
• What would you have done differently? What would you do the same?
• What new skills did you acquire in completing your project?
• How has this project changed your thinking on the topic?
• What has the project prompted you do to next?

Divide the following questions amongst small groups. Have each group pick a spokesperson, who will summarize the group discussion and present it to the class. Divide your board into seven sections to represent each question. Write down each group’s responses to each question and add any comments from students in other groups.

• What is the difference between research and inquiry?
• What are some of the ways you can share your research to let others know more about your project?
• Given what you have learned about doing a historical inquiry project, what advice would you give your past self at the start of your project?
• Whose history should be taught? Why is it important to include multiple perspectives on history?
• Why should we study history? What does history teach us?
• What’s the difference between history and the past?
• How are you connected to history?

Display the “Canada’s History Youth Forum: Reflecting On What We’ve Learned” poster. Have your students look at their answers to the reflection questions and compare them to the answers on the poster. Ask them to consider: What answers are the same? What answers are different? What would you add? What other questions should we ask?

Response and Reflection

Have your students write a short paragraph summarizing what they have learned through their historical inquiry project, both about their project topic, and also about history in general, as well as the historical inquiry process. Ask them to include how What’s The Story? helped them in their project. Submit these paragraphs at CanadasHistory.ca/WhatsTheStoryTestimonials.

You are also encouraged to submit testimonials about using What’s The Story? and these complementary teaching materials in your classroom. Your feedback is helpful in guiding our youth and educational programs.