The history line
TOOLBOX GROUP
AUDIENCE
pupils from 14 to 18
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To explore different perceptions of history and history teaching
To raise curiosity about and empathy with other peoples’ cultures and histories
To generate a critical approach to our own history
TIME
1 period
NECESSARY MATERIALS
a calendar dating from 1500 to the present on a large board or on several sheets of paper
pins or tape
STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY
Invite each participant to think of 5 historical dates, which are very important for their country or culture, and to write their name on the calendar against each of the years.
When everyone has done this, ask them to say why those dates are important, what they stand for and why they have chosen them.
Debriefing and evaluation: invite pupils to say if they found any dates or events surprising or if they were familiar with all of them. If any events are unfamiliar to some pupils, ask those who recorded them to explain.
Discuss how and why we learn about certain events in our history and not others.
RECOMMENDATIONS / TIPS
This exercise is particularly suited for multi-cultural groups although it can also work well with monocultural ones. In this case, it may be interesting to reflect upon what makes us remember some dates instead of others and what influences us.
REFERENCES
“All different – All equal, Education Pack”, European Youth Centre, 1995
APPENDIX
