Unveiling the Past: Exploring the Differences Between History and Storytelling
Subject: History
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 11 – 12 years
Topic: Differences Between History and Storytelling
Sub-topic: Definition, Features, and Importance of History and Storytelling
Duration: 80 minutes
Behavioural Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define Storytelling.
- State the meaning of History.
- Examine the differences between History and Storytelling.
- Relate the features and importance of History, such as objectivity, multicausality, and factual accuracy.
Keywords
- Storytelling
- History
- Objectivity
- Multicausality
- Factual accuracy
Set Induction
The teacher begins by narrating a popular folk tale and a brief historical account of an event, prompting students to distinguish between the two narratives.
Entry Behaviour
Students are familiar with folk tales and legends, having previously engaged in storytelling and heard historical facts during Social Studies classes.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Charts showing timelines of historical events
- A storybook for reading and comparison with historical texts
- Flashcards with key terms such as “Objectivity,” “Factual,” and “Multicausality”
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher relates storytelling to students’ prior experiences of listening to folktales, while connecting History to factual learning from previous topics in Social Studies.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical thinking
- Differentiation between fact and fiction
- Analytical skills
- Research skills
Learning Materials
- History textbooks (JSS 1 History Textbook, Lagos State Scheme of Work)
- Storybooks (e.g., African folktales)
- Flashcards with definitions and key differences between storytelling and History
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- JSS 1 History Textbook
- “Introduction to Historiography”
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard and markers
- Timeline chart
- Storybook and history textbook for comparison
Content
Definition of Storytelling
Storytelling is the act of narrating imaginative or factual events, often meant for entertainment or moral lessons. It may include elements of fiction, creativity, and exaggeration.
Definition of History
History is the systematic study and documentation of past events. It relies on factual evidence and strives for objectivity, aiming to provide an accurate account of events based on research and analysis.
Differences Between History and Storytelling
- Basis of Content:
- History is based on facts and evidence, while storytelling can be fictional or imaginative.
- Purpose:
- History seeks to inform and educate, providing a factual account of past events, while storytelling aims to entertain, teach lessons, or pass down cultural values.
- Methodology:
- History follows a systematic approach with research, timelines, and primary sources, while storytelling often uses a more creative and subjective approach.
- Objectivity:
- History strives for objectivity, presenting facts without personal bias, whereas storytelling can include personal perspectives or embellishments.
- Multicausality:
- History acknowledges that events are often caused by multiple factors, including social, economic, political, and cultural influences. Storytelling may simplify causality for the sake of narrative clarity.
Features and Importance of History
- Objectivity:
History seeks to present facts as they occurred, with minimal bias, providing a more accurate and credible account of events. - Multicausality:
History recognizes that events do not happen in isolation; they are influenced by a range of factors (e.g., social, economic, political). - Factual Accuracy:
History relies on verifiable evidence, such as documents, artifacts, and testimonies, to ensure the accuracy of its accounts. - Educational Value:
History helps students understand the development of societies, cultures, and nations, providing lessons from the past to inform the future.
Examples of Storytelling vs. History
- Storytelling Example: The story of the tortoise and the hare, a fictional tale that teaches a moral lesson.
- History Example: The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), a factual account of a significant event in Nigeria’s history.
Board Summary
- Storytelling: Creative or factual narration, often for entertainment.
- History: Systematic study of past events, based on facts and evidence.
- Differences: Basis, purpose, methodology, objectivity, and multicausality.
- Importance of History: Objectivity, multicausality, factual accuracy, educational value.
Evaluation
- Storytelling is primarily used for ______.
a) Education b) Entertainment c) Research d) Data collection - History is based on ______ evidence.
a) Factual b) Imaginary c) Assumed d) Fictional - The main difference between History and storytelling is that History is ______.
a) Biased b) Subjective c) Objective d) Fictional - Storytelling can often include ______.
a) Facts b) Exaggerations c) Primary sources d) Multicausality - History aims to provide a(n) ______ account of events.
a) Fictional b) Embellished c) Objective d) Creative - The study of History involves understanding ______.
a) Multicausality b) Imagination c) Stories d) Folklore - One feature of History is ______.
a) Exaggeration b) Factual accuracy c) Subjectivity d) Imaginary events - Storytelling often uses ______ to make a narrative more engaging.
a) Timelines b) Creativity c) Research d) Artifacts - History focuses on ______ accounts of events.
a) Imaginative b) Biased c) Objective d) Entertaining - Storytelling can be used to pass down ______.
a) Scientific facts b) Cultural values c) Objective evidence d) Timelines - History is important for understanding ______ events.
a) Future b) Past c) Imaginary d) Unreal - Storytelling can include ______ details.
a) Historical b) Objective c) Exaggerated d) Factual - Multicausality refers to events being caused by ______.
a) Many factors b) One reason c) Stories d) Imagination - Objectivity in History means presenting facts without ______.
a) Research b) Timelines c) Bias d) Storytelling - Storytelling is often used to ______.
a) Inform b) Educate c) Entertain d) Research
Class Activity Discussion
- What is storytelling?
- Storytelling is narrating events, often for entertainment or teaching moral lessons.
- What is History?
- History is the systematic study of past events based on facts and evidence.
- How is History different from storytelling?
- History is factual and objective, while storytelling can be fictional and creative.
- Why is objectivity important in History?
- Objectivity ensures that facts are presented without bias, making History accurate.
- What is multicausality in History?
- Multicausality means that events are influenced by multiple factors, such as politics, economy, and culture.
- Can storytelling include historical facts?
- Yes, storytelling can include facts but often adds creativity and exaggeration.
- Why do we study History?
- To understand past events and learn from them.
- What is the purpose of storytelling?
- Storytelling aims to entertain, teach values, or pass down cultural traditions.
- What are some features of History?
- Factual accuracy, objectivity, and multicausality.
- Can History be biased?
- History strives to be objective, but bias can sometimes occur if not properly researched.
- How does storytelling differ in purpose from History?
- Storytelling focuses on entertainment, while History educates and informs.
- What is factual accuracy in History?
- It means relying on evidence and facts to document events.
- Why is multicausality important in History?
- It shows that events are complex and influenced by various factors.
- How can storytelling teach cultural values?
- By narrating stories that reflect the beliefs and traditions of a society.
- Can storytelling be used in History lessons?
- Yes, storytelling can be used to make historical events more relatable and engaging.
Teacher’s Activities
- Introduce the topic by narrating a story and historical event.
- Define storytelling and History.
- Guide students to discuss the differences between the two.
- Highlight the features of History, such as objectivity and multicausality.
- Provide examples to reinforce understanding.
Learners’ Activities
- Listen to the teacher’s narrations.
- Discuss and define storytelling and History.
- Participate in comparing the two concepts.
- Identify the features and importance of History.
Assessment
- Differentiate between History and storytelling.
- State two reasons why History is important.
- List two features of History.
Evaluation Questions
- Define storytelling.
- What is History?
- Give two differences between History and storytelling.
- Why is objectivity important in History?
- What is multicausality?
- Can storytelling include historical facts?
- What is the purpose of storytelling?
- List two features of History.
- Why do we study History?
- How does storytelling preserve cultural values?
Conclusion
- The teacher marks students’ responses and provides feedback, emphasizing the importance of understanding the differences between storytelling and History.
- Students are encouraged to reflect on how both storytelling and History serve different roles in society—storytelling preserving culture and history providing factual knowledge.
- The teacher assigns students to research a historical event and compare it with a folktale from their culture for the next class.