Evidence from the Past
Understand that everything we know about the past comes from evidence — objects, buildings, pictures, documents, and stories that have survived
Typical age: 6–7 years
“When your child learns about something that happened long ago, do they ask how we know about it — and understand that someone had to find or leave behind that evidence?”
0 / 2 mastered
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Needs first
- Thinking Before Starting
Understanding that knowledge of the past comes from surviving evidence builds on the habit of activating prior knowledge — what do I already know, and where did that knowledge come from?
- Vocabulary: historical thinkingREQUIRED
Understanding that everything we know comes from evidence requires 'evidence' and 'source' vocabulary
Unlocks next
- Different Accounts of the Same EventREQUIRED
Recognising that accounts can differ requires first understanding that accounts exist because people left behind evidence
- Evidence for Greek and Roman Life
Basic concept that knowledge of the past comes from evidence underpins this topic
- Battle of Hastings and 1066
Cross-domain: understanding historical evidence (Historical Thinking) enriches use of Bayeux Tapestry as source