BELL WORK

• What do you think “history is a weapon” means?

• Write a detailed paragraph explaining your thoughts.

Did You Know?

• What is your attitude about social studies?

• Did you know that studies show middle and high school students believe history is the most irrelevant subject?

• Why do you think that is?

History Matters• History is the study of the past so

that one can learn about their position in the present.

• In other words….How did I get here?

• In order to understand how a person has arrived in the place and setting that they are in, it is important to learn about the events and situations that have shaped and influenced our community, society, and human condition.

Close Reading

• You will spend a few minutes reading the short article entitled “History is a Weapon”.

• At the end of the article, it says “History is just one tool to shape our understanding of our world. And every tool is a weapon if you hold it right.”

• In your own words, write what you think the quote above means.

Group ChatWould anyone like to

read what they wrote?

Group Chat• Discuss with your group what you

believe this quote is telling us.

History is a Weapon

•What are some examples you can think of when history was used as a weapon?• FYI…In today’s lesson, the word

“weapon” refers to the tool of empowerment, not violence against people or communities.

History Is Your Weapon!

How to Make History a Weapon…• Be open to new ideas• Be open to many perspectives• Be knowledgeable about the history of

our community and others• Be willing to learn from the mistakes of

the past to better everyone’s future

Assessment• Think about a time when you made a

bad decision, but you knew that there would be a consequence.• If you would have thought about the

consequence, could you have used it as a weapon to protect yourself from the bad decision? Could you have used your own history as a weapon?

Lesson concept, idea, and question inspiration from:

www.historyisaweapon.com

Download more FREE World History &

Geography lessons on…

www.alanbaumer.com