Using the Tools:
Journal 1: Read over the tools. Then select one event you think is important. Using the tools,
write a paragraph explaining why you think the event is significant.
Journal 2: Think about our "tools." Does anything need to be changed? Added?
Removed? Write a paragraph reacting to how you used these tools for determining significance.
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When working with sources and evidence, historians must decide what is significant or important.
They cannot include "everything'" in their accounts. Historians consider many factors when
determining significance.
This year we will select sources and facts based on what we think is significant and important.
We will evaluate other historians' accounts, trying to figure out what the historian thought was
significant and how it compares to our own ideas. It is useful to be very clear on our definitions
of such an important idea. Therefore, we have created or formed these "tools" for determining
significance.
As we use these, feel free to suggest changes or modifications of the tools. If you think a
"tool" does not fit a specific situation, feel free to reject it. Always be prepared to
explain your thinking.
TOOLS FOR DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE: FIRST
DRAFT
A PERSON, EVENT OR OBJECT IS SIGNIFICANT IF IT......
CAUSES CHANGE IN THOUGHT OR ACTION: Significant events or people
create or cause change. The more extensive the change, the greater the significance.
IMPACTS DAILY LIFE: Significant events or people impact our daily life. The more
elements of our daily life impacted, the greater the significance.
HAS ALONG-LASTING IMPACT: Significant events or people leave an enduring or
long-
lasting impact. The longer the impact lasts, the greater the significance.
EFFECTS MANY PEOPLE: Significant events or people effect many other people.
Many people have access to the event. Many people care about it. Many people react to it. The
more people affected, the greater the significance of the event.
IS A UNIQUE EVENT: Often first time or last time events are significant. That is,
if something begins a change or ends an trend, they may be significant.
(EVENT IF IT) HAS A DELAYED EFFECT OR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES:
Significant events or people may not have an immediate impact. Rather, they may change or
improve the knowledge, thus leading to later changes. Also, significant events can have
unintended consequences.
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First Draft of Our "Tools" for Determining
Significance