To The Past
@tothepast.bsky.social
Moving students towards deeper understanding of historical inquiry and Canada’s past. Home of Canadian History Assessments of Thinking [CHATs]: https://tothepast.ca/
If you are in the Lower Mainland on November 21st, you are invited to join To The Past for a workshop on designing effective formative assessments of historical thinking @ Eric Hamber secondary: Registration link for teachers outside of the VSB: addins.sharepointsapiens.com/training/enr... #bced
Training registration
addins.sharepointsapiens.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If you are in the Lower Mainland on November 21st, you are invited to join To The Past for a workshop on designing effective formative assessments of historical thinking @ Eric Hamber secondary: Registration link for teachers outside of the VSB: addins.sharepointsapiens.com/training/enr... #bced
Taking in the keynote from Andrew Coyne at the BCSSTA fall 2025 conference. #bced #bcsocialstudies #bcssta
October 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Taking in the keynote from Andrew Coyne at the BCSSTA fall 2025 conference. #bced #bcsocialstudies #bcssta
Reposted by To The Past
History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.
Starting this week:
Starting this week:
Events
Stay up to date with the upcoming events organised or hosted by the Institute of Historical Research
www.history.ac.uk
September 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.
Starting this week:
Starting this week:
“It’s about recognizing how the past is used and how that impacts society today"
Grateful for this feature of an excellent teacher guiding students towards a deeper understanding of history as a discipline. I've learned a lot from Carly and use some of the lessons she developed and describes here.
Grateful for this feature of an excellent teacher guiding students towards a deeper understanding of history as a discipline. I've learned a lot from Carly and use some of the lessons she developed and describes here.
Carly teaches at St. George’s School, a large, independent, non-denominational all-boys school in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Learn more about Carly's experiences at: thinking-historically.ca/carly-wenner/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
@ualbertaed.bsky.social
@carlywenner.bsky.social
Learn more about Carly's experiences at: thinking-historically.ca/carly-wenner/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
@ualbertaed.bsky.social
@carlywenner.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 10:28 PM
“It’s about recognizing how the past is used and how that impacts society today"
Grateful for this feature of an excellent teacher guiding students towards a deeper understanding of history as a discipline. I've learned a lot from Carly and use some of the lessons she developed and describes here.
Grateful for this feature of an excellent teacher guiding students towards a deeper understanding of history as a discipline. I've learned a lot from Carly and use some of the lessons she developed and describes here.
Reposted by To The Past
Teaching history means asking tough questions and uncovering new perspectives. This fall, NCHE is offering back-to-school webinars to put those ideas into action.
Please share so history educators in need of great PD can find the support they deserve.
Learn more and register here: buff.ly/WhembxH
Please share so history educators in need of great PD can find the support they deserve.
Learn more and register here: buff.ly/WhembxH
August 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Teaching history means asking tough questions and uncovering new perspectives. This fall, NCHE is offering back-to-school webinars to put those ideas into action.
Please share so history educators in need of great PD can find the support they deserve.
Learn more and register here: buff.ly/WhembxH
Please share so history educators in need of great PD can find the support they deserve.
Learn more and register here: buff.ly/WhembxH
Canadian Social Studies Educators Network of Canada has released their Fall 2025 Salon Newsletter! @actioncanada.bsky.social shares their Public Policy 101 resources on why policy matters, how it gets created, and the role of citizens in the process: ssencressc.ca/publications... #sschat #bced
Salon - SSENC
These are our archived issues of Salon, our newsletter.
ssencressc.ca
August 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Canadian Social Studies Educators Network of Canada has released their Fall 2025 Salon Newsletter! @actioncanada.bsky.social shares their Public Policy 101 resources on why policy matters, how it gets created, and the role of citizens in the process: ssencressc.ca/publications... #sschat #bced
Good thinkers having good discussions. As we gear up for another year in the classroom, how can we make our classrooms hubs of rich discussion? #sschat #cdnhistory #historyeducation #historicalthinking #bced
New podcast!!! You can listen to @abbyreisman.bsky.social and I discuss the importance of discussions in the social studies classroom! It get meta!! visionsofed.com/2025/07/21/e...
Episode 216: Observing Classroom Discussions with Lightning Jay & Abby Reisman
In episode 216, Dan and Michael chat with Lightning Jay and Abby Reisman about their article published in Theory & Research in Social Education, “The social studies discourse instrument: Valida…
visionsofed.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Good thinkers having good discussions. As we gear up for another year in the classroom, how can we make our classrooms hubs of rich discussion? #sschat #cdnhistory #historyeducation #historicalthinking #bced
Sometimes when conducting research, you get a glimpse into the imaginations of former readers. The legacies of shared textbooks. #Kilroy, bookworms and pencil imprints of pennies❤️.
archive.org/details/hist... #cdnhistory #historicalthinking #sschat
archive.org/details/hist... #cdnhistory #historicalthinking #sschat
August 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Sometimes when conducting research, you get a glimpse into the imaginations of former readers. The legacies of shared textbooks. #Kilroy, bookworms and pencil imprints of pennies❤️.
archive.org/details/hist... #cdnhistory #historicalthinking #sschat
archive.org/details/hist... #cdnhistory #historicalthinking #sschat
Reposted by To The Past
The CHA is proud to announce the books that are shortlisted for this year’s Best (English-Language) Scholarly Book in Canadian History prize! #cdnhist #prize
Shortlist: Best (English-Language) Scholarly Book in Canadian History Prize | Canadian Historical Association | Société historique du Canada
The CHA is proud to announce the books that are shortlisted for this year’s Best (English-Language) Scholarly Book in Canadian History prize. (In alphabetical order). Crystal Gail Fraser, By Strength,...
cha-shc.ca
May 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by To The Past
The CHA is proud to announce the books that are shortlisted for this year’s Wallace K. Ferguson prize! #cdnhist #prize
Shortlist: Wallace K. Ferguson Prize | Canadian Historical Association | Société historique du Canada
The CHA is proud to announce the books that are shortlisted for this year’s Wallace K. Ferguson prize. (In alphabetical order). Jacob Blanc, The Prestes Column: An Interior History of Modern Brazil. D...
cha-shc.ca
May 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by To The Past
For the #FIELDGuide primary sources are the heart of Foundational Evidence. How do you use them to bring history to life? Share your favorite primary source and how you use it in your classroom and check out socialstudiesfieldguide.com to learn more
#PrimarySources #Inquiry @glennwiebe.bsky.social
#PrimarySources #Inquiry @glennwiebe.bsky.social
Social Studies Field Guide
Foundational evidence, inquiry-based instruction, & edtech tools
socialstudiesfieldguide.com
April 16, 2025 at 9:56 PM
For the #FIELDGuide primary sources are the heart of Foundational Evidence. How do you use them to bring history to life? Share your favorite primary source and how you use it in your classroom and check out socialstudiesfieldguide.com to learn more
#PrimarySources #Inquiry @glennwiebe.bsky.social
#PrimarySources #Inquiry @glennwiebe.bsky.social
Working with primary sources is not a "spot the bias" game. Encourage students to attend to source metadata and contextual information to better understand why sources don't always agree with one another: tothepast.ca/contextualiz...
Contextualization: Stalag XI - To the Past
Stalag XI Topic: Canadian History, WWII Historical Thinking Skills: Contextualization Time Period: 1939-1945 Contextualizing a primary source is the process of utilizing an understanding of historical...
tothepast.ca
April 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Working with primary sources is not a "spot the bias" game. Encourage students to attend to source metadata and contextual information to better understand why sources don't always agree with one another: tothepast.ca/contextualiz...
Reposted by To The Past
Support Heritage Fairs in schools
Today I went to my kid’s middle school heritage fair, which featured a project on the history of drag in Canada, a Lego reproduction of the Oka Crisis, a display about the history of abortion rights, and two children dressed as different versions of Trotsky.
A+, no notes, the kids are alright.
A+, no notes, the kids are alright.
April 5, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Support Heritage Fairs in schools
“I always tell my visitors that history is not the past — it is an interpretation of the past…It is fine to have good-faith disagreements about historical figures and events; that is what the historical process is about”
“'Excuse me,' a visitor asked as they tapped my shoulder . . . 'Is this one of those woke tours?'"
Our latest, a new mailbag from Nick DeLuca.
Our latest, a new mailbag from Nick DeLuca.
When Is History Advocacy?
Advocacy should not be a dirty word.
contingentmagazine.org
March 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
“I always tell my visitors that history is not the past — it is an interpretation of the past…It is fine to have good-faith disagreements about historical figures and events; that is what the historical process is about”
10 years in and I'm still figuring out what sourcing means in the context of historical inquiry. Thinking about assessment often means a rethink of our pedagogy as well: tothepast.ca/blog-what-is... #sschat #canadianhistory #bced #socialstudies
Blog: What is Sourcing? And why are we doing it again? - To the Past
In our previous post, I described how typical historical thinking assessments such as DBQs might just be assessing too much at one time, and that we would do well to break down the component skills, h...
tothepast.ca
March 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
10 years in and I'm still figuring out what sourcing means in the context of historical inquiry. Thinking about assessment often means a rethink of our pedagogy as well: tothepast.ca/blog-what-is... #sschat #canadianhistory #bced #socialstudies
A little louder for the people in the back! Sourcing, close reading, and questioning without robust historical knowledge is unlikely to generate robust demonstrations of historical thinking. @lightningjay.bsky.social directing us appropriately towards "skills, practice, AND knowledge".
New Article! Better thinking about online information requires skills, practice, AND knowledge. I make the case that this new crisis highlights just how badly we need great history classes.
theconversation.com/why-history-...
theconversation.com/why-history-...
Why history instruction is critical for combating online misinformation
Critical thinking involves specific skills for assessing evidence, but background knowledge about the subject is also essential.
theconversation.com
March 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A little louder for the people in the back! Sourcing, close reading, and questioning without robust historical knowledge is unlikely to generate robust demonstrations of historical thinking. @lightningjay.bsky.social directing us appropriately towards "skills, practice, AND knowledge".
Reposted by To The Past
We're looking for historians and history teachers in Canada to share their beliefs about history and presentism.
If you're interested in participating in this study, please click the following link:
ualbertauw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
If you're interested in participating in this study, please click the following link:
ualbertauw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
March 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We're looking for historians and history teachers in Canada to share their beliefs about history and presentism.
If you're interested in participating in this study, please click the following link:
ualbertauw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
If you're interested in participating in this study, please click the following link:
ualbertauw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
"...a lack of pedagogical supports to help teachers use them effectively."
That checks out. I remember collecting a few as a new teacher ...and then not knowing what to do with them.
Read about the "Rise and Fall of Jackdaws" from the man who has them all (or nearly) @lsgibson.bsky.social
That checks out. I remember collecting a few as a new teacher ...and then not knowing what to do with them.
Read about the "Rise and Fall of Jackdaws" from the man who has them all (or nearly) @lsgibson.bsky.social
Delighted to see my open-source article about the history of Jackdaws published in the History Education Research Journal.
"The rise and fall of Jackdaws: lessons for designing source collections to teach history"
journals.uclpress.co.uk/herj/article...
@arthurjchapman.bsky.social
"The rise and fall of Jackdaws: lessons for designing source collections to teach history"
journals.uclpress.co.uk/herj/article...
@arthurjchapman.bsky.social
March 1, 2025 at 10:43 AM
"...a lack of pedagogical supports to help teachers use them effectively."
That checks out. I remember collecting a few as a new teacher ...and then not knowing what to do with them.
Read about the "Rise and Fall of Jackdaws" from the man who has them all (or nearly) @lsgibson.bsky.social
That checks out. I remember collecting a few as a new teacher ...and then not knowing what to do with them.
Read about the "Rise and Fall of Jackdaws" from the man who has them all (or nearly) @lsgibson.bsky.social
A glimpse into how Canadian teachers from across the country are are tackling the teaching of the past. #canhistory #socialstudies #canada #Canadianhistory #HTed
We are excited to announce the launch of our Portraits of Professional Practice (PPP) webpage!
The PPP project focuses on understanding how the context where history is taught shapes educators’ practices. Learn more at thinking-historically.ca/ppp/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
The PPP project focuses on understanding how the context where history is taught shapes educators’ practices. Learn more at thinking-historically.ca/ppp/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
February 21, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A glimpse into how Canadian teachers from across the country are are tackling the teaching of the past. #canhistory #socialstudies #canada #Canadianhistory #HTed
Reposted by To The Past
We are excited to announce the launch of our Portraits of Professional Practice (PPP) webpage!
The PPP project focuses on understanding how the context where history is taught shapes educators’ practices. Learn more at thinking-historically.ca/ppp/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
The PPP project focuses on understanding how the context where history is taught shapes educators’ practices. Learn more at thinking-historically.ca/ppp/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
February 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
We are excited to announce the launch of our Portraits of Professional Practice (PPP) webpage!
The PPP project focuses on understanding how the context where history is taught shapes educators’ practices. Learn more at thinking-historically.ca/ppp/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
The PPP project focuses on understanding how the context where history is taught shapes educators’ practices. Learn more at thinking-historically.ca/ppp/
@carlapeck.bsky.social
Reposted by To The Past
World History Teachers Blog: Ten Historians: 10 Different Interpretations on Who Started WWI bit.ly/40AKVcw #sschat
Ten Historians: 10 Different Interpretations on Who Started WWI
Ten historians give 10 different interpretations on who started WWI in this BBC story. Sir Max Hastings - military historian, argues th...
bit.ly
February 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
World History Teachers Blog: Ten Historians: 10 Different Interpretations on Who Started WWI bit.ly/40AKVcw #sschat
Reposted by To The Past
Attention BC Teachers. Check out the "Developing Minds Conference: For the Love of Critical Thinking" that is being offered on the February 14, 2025 Professional Development Day.
Note, this is not just for social studies teachers.
bcssta.wordpress.com/devminds2025/
Note, this is not just for social studies teachers.
bcssta.wordpress.com/devminds2025/
Developing Minds 2025
For the Love of Critical Thinking! 14 February 2025 Professional Development Conference Conference Co-Chairs: Dr. Nic Fillion and Dr. Dale Martelli Conference Coordinator: Cem Erkli (devminds@sfu.c…
bcssta.wordpress.com
February 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Attention BC Teachers. Check out the "Developing Minds Conference: For the Love of Critical Thinking" that is being offered on the February 14, 2025 Professional Development Day.
Note, this is not just for social studies teachers.
bcssta.wordpress.com/devminds2025/
Note, this is not just for social studies teachers.
bcssta.wordpress.com/devminds2025/
Specifying exactly what we aim to assess is a trying, but illuminating process. It allows teachers to provide more effective formative assessment for students as they move towards more robust historical inquiry.
tothepast.ca/blog-breakin... #HTchat #BCed #socialstudies #Canhistory #Canada
tothepast.ca/blog-breakin... #HTchat #BCed #socialstudies #Canhistory #Canada
Blog: Breaking Down The Guideposts, OR AT LEAST A FEW - To the Past
This is the assessment triangle. It emphasizes the importance of coherence between what is being assessed, as in what aspect of cognition or thinking, how that cognition will be observed, and how resu...
tothepast.ca
January 26, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Specifying exactly what we aim to assess is a trying, but illuminating process. It allows teachers to provide more effective formative assessment for students as they move towards more robust historical inquiry.
tothepast.ca/blog-breakin... #HTchat #BCed #socialstudies #Canhistory #Canada
tothepast.ca/blog-breakin... #HTchat #BCed #socialstudies #Canhistory #Canada
Reposted by To The Past
Attention K-12 Educators: Free seminar focused on bringing Holocaust education into the classroom with respect and consideration.
Hosted by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and Dr. Andrea Webb, the co‐director of Survivor‐Centred Visual Narratives project.
humanrights.ca/event/webina...
Hosted by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and Dr. Andrea Webb, the co‐director of Survivor‐Centred Visual Narratives project.
humanrights.ca/event/webina...
Webinar: Supporting Educators in Holocaust Education | CMHR
This webinar will discuss supports for educators to bring Holocaust education into the classroom.
humanrights.ca
January 14, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Attention K-12 Educators: Free seminar focused on bringing Holocaust education into the classroom with respect and consideration.
Hosted by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and Dr. Andrea Webb, the co‐director of Survivor‐Centred Visual Narratives project.
humanrights.ca/event/webina...
Hosted by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and Dr. Andrea Webb, the co‐director of Survivor‐Centred Visual Narratives project.
humanrights.ca/event/webina...
Reposted by To The Past
The first of seven sessions for the 2025 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute (VHTI) is coming up soon.
There are still a few spaces available in the English and French groups.
@canadashistory.bsky.social @thinkhist.bsky.social
There are still a few spaces available in the English and French groups.
@canadashistory.bsky.social @thinkhist.bsky.social
Register for the 2025 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute (VHTI).
Seven 1.5 hour online (zoom) sessions available in English & French.
First session is January 21, 2025 (French) & January 22, 2025 (English). 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
@canadashistory.bsky.social
www.canadashistory.ca/education/pr...
Seven 1.5 hour online (zoom) sessions available in English & French.
First session is January 21, 2025 (French) & January 22, 2025 (English). 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
@canadashistory.bsky.social
www.canadashistory.ca/education/pr...
Virtual Historical Thinking Institute - Canada's Historysearch-iconclosesearch-iconclose
The Virtual Historical Thinking Institute will offer an introduction to historical thinking and enhance your expertise in designing history programs, courses, units, lessons, projects, or educational ...
www.canadashistory.ca
January 11, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The first of seven sessions for the 2025 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute (VHTI) is coming up soon.
There are still a few spaces available in the English and French groups.
@canadashistory.bsky.social @thinkhist.bsky.social
There are still a few spaces available in the English and French groups.
@canadashistory.bsky.social @thinkhist.bsky.social