Course Outline
Inquiry:
More than searching for facts, students need to see the study of history as inquiry. Even if others already know the answer, in a genuine inquiry students‘ task is to reach their own conclusions and not simply locate the conclusion offered by others. This feature defines an inquiry question: it requires that students make a reasoned judgment about the most justifiable conclusion to reach.
Sample question involving factual retrieval Inquiry question and task
List the main causes of the First World War. Identify the most important cause of the First World War. Explain.
Sample question involving factual retrieval Inquiry question and task
List the main causes of the First World War. Identify the most important cause of the First World War. Explain.
Research Essay:
An oft-used assignment in the grade 11 Modern History course is the ―research essay.‖ It is important when writing research essays that students are required to make reasoned judgments (to inquire). Reviewing and conferencing with students about their essay, as the students work through the assignment, enables a teacher to use both formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment throughout the assignment might involve reviewing each student: thesis statement, outline, introductory paragraph, sample argument with evidence (one paragraph), citation example(s), and conclusion. Monitoring this process will illuminate the level of students‘ understanding of each stage and allow for necessary intervention. This may ultimately lend itself to increased student success in terms of demonstrating their understanding of the larger concepts of historical thinking. In assessing their completed research essay, summative assessment will indicate if the student has been able to make, and support with evidence, reasoned arguments and draw justifiable conclusions.
FYI: It is important that students provide evidence to support their arguments and equally important that they credit all sources.
FYI: It is important that students provide evidence to support their arguments and equally important that they credit all sources.