Tools for Learning Tools for Learning HistoryHistory

Section 1.1Section 1.1

Telling TimeTelling Time

Telling Time by YearsTelling Time by Years

The history of mankind is divided into two great time periods that are referred to as BC and AD.

BC means “Before Christ”

AD comes form the Latin, Anno Domini, meaning “in the year of our Lord”

Some people have chosen to mark history in a non-religious way by referring to the two great periods of history as BCE and CE

CE means Common Era and refers to the same period as AD

BCE means Before Common Era and refers to the same period as BC

AD dates count forward from 1 AD. AD dates count forward from 1 AD.

BC dates count backward from 1 AD.BC dates count backward from 1 AD.

1 AD100 200100 BC200 BC

Left Right

Telling Time by Telling Time by CenturiesCenturies

1 year = 12 months1 year = 12 months

10 years = 1 decade 10 years = 1 decade

100 years = century100 years = century

1000 years = 1000 years = millennia millennia

CenturyCentury DatesDates

1st1st 1-1001-100

2nd2nd 101-200101-200

11th11th 1001-11001001-1100

20th20th 1901-20001901-2000

Converting Years to Converting Years to CenturiesCenturies

In history, you may hear or read that In history, you may hear or read that an event took place in the 15an event took place in the 15thth century century or the 20or the 20thth century. For these time century. For these time references to make sense, you’ve got references to make sense, you’ve got to know what dates they refer to. As to know what dates they refer to. As you’ve seen on the previous slide, the you’ve seen on the previous slide, the 2020thth century does not refer to the century does not refer to the 2000s as you might automatically 2000s as you might automatically assume. It refers to the 1900s. assume. It refers to the 1900s.

Converting Years to Converting Years to CenturiesCenturies

How do you convert form a century How do you convert form a century to a year and vice versa?to a year and vice versa?

By understanding dates, it’s easy to By understanding dates, it’s easy to convert for one to the other. convert for one to the other.

1945

One less than the number of the century----In this case, 19 + 1 = 20, so this date is in the 20th century.

Represents which year in the century --- in thiscase, the 45th year.

RememberRemember

If the year ends in 01-99, the century If the year ends in 01-99, the century is one more than the first two digits. is one more than the first two digits.

Ex. Ex. 191973 19 + 1 = 2073 19 + 1 = 20thth century.century.

If the year ends in 00, the century is If the year ends in 00, the century is the same as the first two digits.the same as the first two digits.

Ex. Ex. 202000 00 20 = 2020 = 20thth century. century.

Time LinesTime Lines

A A time line time line helps you see the big picture, helps you see the big picture, whether it represents a few months or a whether it represents a few months or a few thousand years. A time line is a visual few thousand years. A time line is a visual representation of a period of time. It is representation of a period of time. It is marked off in equal intervals that show marked off in equal intervals that show when events occurred and how each event when events occurred and how each event relates to the other events that happened relates to the other events that happened during that period.during that period.

The period of time covered by the The period of time covered by the time line is called the time line is called the time spantime span. . Time span can be calculated by Time span can be calculated by subtracting the beginning date from subtracting the beginning date from the ending date. Look at the time line the ending date. Look at the time line below. Its time span is 1600 – 1450 below. Its time span is 1600 – 1450 or 150 years. or 150 years.

1450

Beginning Date

1500 1550 1600

Ending Date

Time Span

1450

Beginning Date

1500 1550 1600

Ending Date

Time Span

The equal divisions on the time line are The equal divisions on the time line are called called time intervaltime interval. To calculate a . To calculate a time interval, subtract the start of an time interval, subtract the start of an interval from the end of an interval. If interval from the end of an interval. If the first interval starts with 1450 and the first interval starts with 1450 and ends with 1500, the time interval would ends with 1500, the time interval would be 50 years (1500 – 1450)be 50 years (1500 – 1450)

Time Interval

1450

Gutenberg invents the printing press with movable type

1450

1500 1550 1600

1492

Columbus arrives in the New World

1504

Michelangelo completesstatue of David

1505

da Vinci completes Mona Lisa

1513

Machiavelli writesThe Prince

1519

Magellan begins his voyage around the world

1595

Shakespeare writesRomeo and Juliet

Seeing the events in order as they Seeing the events in order as they relate to other events of the period relate to other events of the period helps you develop helps you develop chronological chronological thinkingthinking. That term just means that . That term just means that you remember history in the order you remember history in the order that it happened. The graphic makes that it happened. The graphic makes the dates much easier to sort than if the dates much easier to sort than if they were simply given in a list.they were simply given in a list.

1450

1500

1550

1600

Gutenberg invents the printing press with movable type

1450

Columbus arrives in the New World1492

Michelangelo completes statue of David

1504

1505 da Vinci completes Mona Lisa

1513 Machiavelli writes “The Prince”

1519 Magellan begins his voyage around the world

1595 Shakespeare writes “Romeo and Juliet”

One thing you will notice is that when One thing you will notice is that when several events occur close together, several events occur close together, it’s easier to put them on a vertical it’s easier to put them on a vertical time line than on a horizontal one.time line than on a horizontal one.

The information is the same, and the The information is the same, and the analysis is the same. The only change analysis is the same. The only change is in the direction the time line runs.is in the direction the time line runs.

TablesTables

Another way to organize dates and Another way to organize dates and events is to use a table. A events is to use a table. A table table is is divided into columns and rows. divided into columns and rows. Columns go down and rows go across. Columns go down and rows go across. The placement of information in a table The placement of information in a table shows relationships between the facts.shows relationships between the facts.

DateDate EventsEvents

14501450 Gutenberg invents the printing press with Gutenberg invents the printing press with moveable typemoveable type

14921492 Columbus arrives in the New WorldColumbus arrives in the New World

15041504 Michelangelo completes statue of David

1505 da Vinci completes Mona Lisa

1513 Machiavelli writes “The Prince”

1519 Magellan begins his voyage around the world

1595 Shakespeare writes “Romeo and Juliet”

Major Events of the Renaissance Title

Headings

Columns

Rows

When you have only a few facts that are When you have only a few facts that are related to a central theme, it’s easier to related to a central theme, it’s easier to use a graphic organizer to present the use a graphic organizer to present the information than a table. A information than a table. A graphic graphic organizerorganizer uses geometric shapes to show uses geometric shapes to show how a few facts or ideas are related to a how a few facts or ideas are related to a central theme. The information is placed central theme. The information is placed inside the shapes, and lines are drawn to inside the shapes, and lines are drawn to show the relationships.show the relationships.

BreakfastFoods

bagels pastries

Bacon & Eggs

cereal

oatmeal

BreakfastFoods

bagels pastries

Bacon & Eggs

cereal

oatmeal

Cream Cheese Pop Tarts