Unlocking History: Tertiary Sources Explained History JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

Detailed Lesson Plan: History JSS 1 First Term – Week 8

Subject: History
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 11-12 years
Topic: Tertiary Sources of History
Sub-topic: Examples, Features, and Significance of Tertiary Sources
Duration: 80 minutes

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Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Describe tertiary sources in History.
2. Mention examples, features, and significance of tertiary sources in History.
3. Explain how tertiary sources in History are obtained.
4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tertiary sources in History.

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Keywords

• Tertiary sources
• Summarized information
• Encyclopedias
• Databases
• Reference works

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Set Induction

The teacher asks students to name different ways they can find summaries of information on various subjects (e.g., using encyclopedias or online databases).

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Entry Behaviour

Students are already familiar with primary and secondary sources in History and know that they can gather information from books and journals.

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Learning Resources and Materials

1. Encyclopedias
2. Dictionaries
3. Historical atlases
4. Databases

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Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students will relate their knowledge of primary and secondary sources to understand tertiary sources as summaries or collections of information.

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Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Information retrieval
• Research skills

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Learning Materials

1. Encyclopedias
2. Atlases
3. Database search examples

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Reference Books

1. Lagos State Scheme of Work
2. History Textbook for JSS 1

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Instructional Materials

1. Printed samples of tertiary sources (e.g., encyclopedia pages, atlases)
2. Projector for online databases

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Content

Definition of Tertiary Sources in History

1. Tertiary sources are materials that summarize or compile information from primary and secondary sources.
2. These sources are often used to give an overview or quick reference for a topic.

Examples of Tertiary Sources

1. Encyclopedias:
   • Books that provide summaries of many subjects.
2. Dictionaries:
   • Reference books explaining the meaning of words, historical terms, and names.
3. Historical Atlases:
   • Maps that provide geographical information and historical data.
4. Bibliographies:
   • Lists of books and articles on a particular topic.
5. Databases:
   • Online or offline collections of articles, journals, and historical summaries.

Features of Tertiary Sources in History

1. Summarized Information:
   • Tertiary sources offer condensed versions of primary and secondary sources.
2. General Overviews:
   • They provide broad perspectives without deep analysis.
3. Easily Accessible:
   • These sources are often found in libraries, databases, or as online resources.
4. Neutral Tone:
   • Tertiary sources aim to be objective and factual.

Significance of Tertiary Sources in History

1. Quick Reference:
   • They provide easy access to basic historical information.
2. Overview of Topics:
   • Useful for getting an initial understanding before deeper research.
3. Compilation of Various Sources:
   • They summarize a wide range of historical works in one place.

How Tertiary Sources Are Obtained

1. They are compiled by historians or researchers from primary and secondary sources.
2. Tertiary sources are often found in libraries or online reference platforms.
3. Scholars use these sources to give quick, summarized versions of broader subjects.

Advantages of Tertiary Sources in History

1. Time-Saving:
   • Tertiary sources provide quick overviews, saving time for deeper research.
2. Comprehensive Summaries:
   • They bring together many viewpoints and materials in one source.
3. Widely Available:
   • Tertiary sources are easy to find, either in books or on the internet.

Disadvantages of Tertiary Sources in History

1. Lack of Detail:
   • They do not offer deep insights or critical analysis.
2. Not Suitable for In-Depth Research:
   • Tertiary sources are only useful for quick references, not detailed studies.
3. May Lack Originality:
   • Since they are summaries, they do not provide firsthand or in-depth accounts.

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Evaluation

Fill in the blanks with the correct option (a, b, c, or d).

1. Tertiary sources are used to __________.
   a. analyze historical events
   b. provide a quick overview
   c. give firsthand evidence
   d. conduct in-depth studies
2. An example of a tertiary source is __________.
   a. an encyclopedia
   b. a primary letter
   c. a newspaper article
   d. a photograph
3. Tertiary sources usually summarize __________.
   a. primary and secondary sources
   b. only primary sources
   c. eyewitness accounts
   d. historical artifacts
4. A disadvantage of tertiary sources is __________.
   a. they are not available
   b. they provide too much detail
   c. they lack detailed analysis
   d. they are always biased
5. Tertiary sources are found in __________.
   a. personal letters
   b. libraries and online databases
   c. ancient artifacts
   d. oral traditions
6. Which of the following is a feature of tertiary sources?
   a. They are firsthand accounts
   b. They offer summarized information
   c. They provide deep analysis
   d. They are primary evidence
7. Historians use tertiary sources for __________.
   a. quick reference
   b. firsthand research
   c. recording oral histories
   d. writing primary documents
8. Tertiary sources are obtained from __________.
   a. interviews
   b. primary and secondary sources
   c. artifacts
   d. personal diaries
9. Historical atlases are examples of __________.
   a. primary sources
   b. secondary sources
   c. tertiary sources
   d. oral sources
10. Why should researchers not rely solely on tertiary sources?
    a. They lack basic information
    b. They do not provide detailed analysis
    c. They are not easy to access
    d. They are too detailed

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Class Activity Discussion

1. What are tertiary sources in History?
   • They are summaries or compilations of primary and secondary sources.
2. Give examples of tertiary sources.
   • Encyclopedias, dictionaries, historical atlases, bibliographies, databases.
3. Why are tertiary sources important in historical studies?
   • They provide quick overviews and save time for further research.
4. What is one advantage of tertiary sources?
   • They are widely available and provide comprehensive summaries.
5. What is one disadvantage of tertiary sources?
   • They lack detailed analysis and in-depth information.

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Presentation

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, “Secondary Sources in History.”
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic, “Tertiary Sources in History,” explaining that they summarize information from primary and secondary sources.
Step 3: The teacher allows the students to provide examples of tertiary sources and explains their features, significance, and uses.

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Teacher’s Activities

1. Define and explain the concept of tertiary sources in History.
2. Provide examples and discuss how tertiary sources are useful.
3. Guide students through discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of tertiary sources.

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Learners’ Activities

1. Identify examples of tertiary sources from the provided materials.
2. Participate in group discussions on the significance and features of tertiary sources.
3. Ask questions about how tertiary sources differ from primary and secondary sources.

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Evaluation Questions

1. What are tertiary sources in History?
2. Name two examples of tertiary sources.
3. How are tertiary sources obtained?
4. List two features of tertiary sources.
5. What is one advantage of using tertiary sources?
6. What is one disadvantage of tertiary sources?
7. Why are tertiary sources important for students of History?
8. Describe how encyclopedias are used in History.
9. Mention one example of a tertiary source used for geographical information.
10. Why should tertiary sources not be used for in-depth research?

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Conclusion

The teacher goes around to mark students’ work and ensures that they understand tertiary sources, their features, examples, advantages, and disadvantages.

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More Useful Links

• Differences between History and Storytelling History JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3
• Exploring the Sources of History JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4
• Unveiling the Past: Understanding Primary Sources in History JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5