History's Mysteries Lesson Plans
By exploring history's mysteries, like Stonehenge, students can learn about historical research.
By Daniella Garran
Our history is riddled with mysterious events and occurrences. While much is known about history, even more is unknown. People have long been fascinated by Stonehenge, Atlantis, the Loch Ness monster and other mysteries of history. Such mysteries tend to be high interest topics for students, particularly when they are given the chance to research a topic of their choosing.
In addition to amassing content knowledge, students also have the opportunity to develop discipline-based skills. First of all, students acquire the skills necessary for historical research. They learn how to conduct a guided inquiry, analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources, and look for bias. Second, you can teach students how to apply the scientific method to historical research. This provides educators with an excellent opportunity for interdisciplinary instruction. Third, students can collect evidence to prove or disprove a theory. This is a useful skill for students in all disciplines.
There are a number of options for teachers interested in covering this subject matter. One option is for students to write an analytical, thesis-driven research paper in which they make a case to prove or disprove a theory about the history-related mystery of their choice. Another option is to stage a formal debate in which the class debated both sides of a theory about a specific mystery. In addition to developing research and writing skills, this activity allows students to gain experience debating and speaking publicly.
When choosing mysteries to focus on, it is important for teachers to be mindful of students’ age and maturity. For example, Stonehenge is a topic suitable for all ages, but conspiracy theories about the assassination of President Kennedy is not. What follows are more lesson plans that allow students to delve into history's mysteries.
History's Mysteries Lesson Plans:
This lesson requires students to propose a topic for a History Channel show. By allowing students to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice, students are likely to be engaged and enthusiastic. This lesson is an ideal final project for students at the end of a unit or at the end of the year.
Classes studying American history can act as FBI agents working to investigate a mystery at the Lost Colony of Roanoke. By conducting independent research, students can amass content area knowledge, and also hone their research skills.
Students learning about ancient civilizations devise theories about the origin of Stonehenge. In addition to learning about the ancient cultures which may have created this structure, students also have the opportunity to apply the scientific method, and any knowledge of archaeology they may have already acquired. This lesson can be done either independently or in cooperative learning groups.
Atlantis has long-fascinated students of all ages; as a result, a host of lessons for a range of ages exist. Some students msy enjoy the opportunity to draw their idea of what Atlantis may have looked like, while others may want to write a children’s book on the topic. Regardless, students will enjoy debating the existence of this ancient culture.
This lesson provides teachers with a basic structure for helping students devise Internet investigations relating to unsolved mysteries of students’ choosing. History teachers may choose to collaborate with language arts teachers to have students write reports or give oral presentations on their chosen subject.