Why Study History Back to School Activity Social Studies American World History

This "Why Study History" lesson is a great back to school activity to feature primary source analysis and active conversation to answer the dreaded question, "Why do we have to study history?" Look no further. Use my best-selling, social studies "Why Study History" activity to jumpstart your Social Studies, Amercan History, World History, or Ancient Civilization class to get students thinking and analyzing like young historians. In this "Why Study History" activity, students examine the words of 12 influential people from American History and World History to understand the value, meaning, and importance of history.

This Why Study History activity is an outstanding way to start your year as it promotes critical thinking, requires analysis, and sets the framework for studying history and social studies throughout your school year. The posters also double as outstanding bulletin board material!

Students understand the importance of studying history by examining the words of 12 influential people (John F Kennedy, Pearl Buck, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, Michael Crichton, Alexis de Tocqueville, Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, Adolf Hitler, Martin Luther King Jr, Winston Churchill, and more!). A new Google 1:1 version is now included!

Students examine 12 quotes about the importance of history from 12 influential people to understand why this subject is worth studying. Students complete a 2-page chart as they analyze each historical quote and explain why it matters, then students complete a short writing prompt where they explain why history is important. This is a great back to school activity to introduce history on those first days of school

Enjoy!

A new teacher guide has been added to help you with the quotes too!