Discovering the Sources of History

Subject: History

Class: JSS 1

Term: First Term

Week: 4

Age: 11 – 12 years

Topic: Sources of History

Sub-topic: Broad and Allied Sources of History

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

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

1. Define sources of History.
2. Identify two broad sources of History.
3. Explain the features, advantages, and disadvantages of oral and written sources.
4. Discuss other allied sources of History and their importance today.

Keywords:

• Sources
• Oral Tradition
• Written Records
• Archaeology
• Artifacts

Set Induction:

The teacher begins by asking students how they know about past events such as Nigeria’s independence or family history. After listening to their responses, the teacher explains that these are examples of sources historians use to study History.

Entry Behavior:

Students have prior knowledge of important historical events, such as Nigeria’s independence, which they may have learned through stories or books.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Photos of historical artifacts
• Copies of ancient manuscripts
• Audio recordings of oral stories

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students know about important past events either from books or from stories told by parents or elders. The lesson will help them understand how these sources are categorized in History.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Analysis and interpretation of sources

Learning Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Photos of archaeological sites
• Historical documents

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 1
• “Introduction to African History” by Dr. A. Johnson

Instructional Materials:

• Photos of artifacts
• Old manuscripts or documents
• Audio samples of oral traditions

Content:

Sources of History

Definition of Sources of History

Sources of History are materials or evidence that provide information about past events. These sources help historians study and understand what happened in the past.

Two Broad Sources of History

1. Oral Sources
   • Definition: These are sources that come from spoken word, like stories, songs, or interviews passed down through generations.
   • Features:
     • Based on memory and spoken traditions.
     • Flexible and changeable over time.
   • Advantages:
     • Provides a rich cultural and personal perspective.
     • Useful in societies without written records.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Subject to distortion and loss of accuracy over time.
     • Difficult to verify authenticity.
2. Written Sources
   • Definition: These are sources that come from written records like books, letters, and documents.
   • Features:
     • Can be stored for a long time.
     • Provides detailed, recorded information.
   • Advantages:
     • More reliable and easier to verify.
     • Useful for keeping precise historical details.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Written records may contain the author’s bias.
     • Not all societies had writing systems in the past.

Allied Sources of History

1. Archaeological Sources
   • Definition: Physical remains like tools, pottery, bones, and buildings that tell us about past human life.
   • Importance:
     • Provides concrete evidence of past civilizations.
     • Helps historians understand ancient societies that didn’t have written records.
2. Artistic Sources
   • Definition: Paintings, sculptures, and other artistic works that depict historical events or figures.
   • Importance:
     • Gives insight into the culture and values of societies.
     • Offers visual representation of past events.

Presentation

Step 1: Revising the Previous Topic

The teacher asks students to recall the previous lesson on “What is History” and reviews some key points.

Step 2: Introducing the New Topic

The teacher introduces today’s lesson by explaining that historians need sources to learn about the past and will discuss the two broad sources—oral and written—as well as allied sources like archaeology.

Step 3: Allowing Pupils to Contribute

The teacher asks students to share examples of how they’ve learned about historical events, either through stories or books. The teacher listens and corrects misconceptions.

Teacher’s Activities:

1. Define the sources of History.
2. Explain the differences between oral and written sources with examples.
3. Display pictures of historical artifacts and old documents.
4. Engage students in a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of oral and written sources.

Learners’ Activities:

1. Discuss examples of oral and written sources they know.
2. Analyze the differences between the sources.
3. Participate in the discussion of allied sources.
4. Answer questions based on the lesson content.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is a source of History?
2. Name two broad sources of History.
3. What is one advantage of oral sources?
4. List one disadvantage of written sources.
5. What are archaeological sources?
6. How do artistic sources help us understand History?
7. Why is oral History important for societies without written records?
8. Name one allied source of History.
9. What is the main disadvantage of oral sources?
10. How are written sources more reliable than oral sources?

Class Activity Discussion

1. What are sources of History?
   Sources of History are materials that help us learn about past events.
2. What is an oral source?
   An oral source is a story or information passed down through speaking, like songs or interviews.
3. What is a written source?
   Written sources are recorded information in documents, letters, or books.
4. What are the two broad sources of History?
   Oral and written sources.
5. Why are written sources important?
   They provide permanent records that are more reliable.
6. Why can oral sources be unreliable?
   Oral stories can change over time and be hard to verify.
7. What are allied sources of History?
   These include archaeology, art, and artifacts that help historians understand the past.
8. What is an archaeological source?
   Archaeological sources are physical remains like tools, pottery, or ruins.
9. How do artistic sources help in History?
   Artistic sources provide a visual representation of historical events and cultures.
10. Why is archaeology important in History?
    It provides physical evidence of how people lived in the past, especially where there are no written records.

Conclusion:

The teacher goes around the class, reviewing students’ notes, correcting where necessary, and giving feedback. The teacher emphasizes the importance of oral, written, and allied sources in understanding History.

More Useful Links 

• The Definition, Father of Objective History, Importance of History, and Country of Origin
• Unveiling the Past: Exploring the Differences Between History and Storytelling