of 26
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
1/26
Elementary My Dear
Watson
Organizing your Unit Plans and
Analyzing Primary Sources with theWorlds Greatest Detectives:
Your Students!
Anthony Fitzpatrick
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
2/26
221B Baker Street & Your Classroom
Introducing himself toa would be client inThe Adventure of the
Blue Carbuncle, SirArthur Conan Doylesfamous super sleuthSherlock Holmes
famously declared,Here is my lens. Youknow my methods.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
3/26
221B Baker Street & your classroom
One of the best known literarycharacters of all time, SherlockHolmes was indeed theWorlds Greatest Detective.Unlike the superheroes oftoday who owe their enormousstrength or intellect tomysterious super powers,
Holmes acknowledged thatmost of his powers of sleuthinggrew out of the art ofobservation and deduction.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
4/26
221B Baker Street & your classroom
But just what exactlywere those methods?
More importantly how
can we apply them inour classrooms to makeour students historicaldetectives on the trail of
the past through thereading andinterpretation of varioustypes of evidence?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
5/26
Holmes Rules # 1
In solving a problem of this sort,the grand thing is to be able toreason backwards. That is avery useful accomplishment,
and a very easy one, but peopledo not practice it much. In theeveryday affairs of life it is moreuseful to reason forward, andso the other comes to be
neglected. There are fifty whocan reason synthetically for onewho can reason analytically.
A Study in Scarlet
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
6/26
Applying Holmes Rule #1
Begin with the endin mind.
By the end of the
year what contentand skills shouldmy students
master? What are the
logical steps to skillmastery?
Once that isestablished createa calendar of
content with skillsets weaved in. EOY skill
document based
questions how doyou build it tosuccess by the endof the year?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
7/26
Can we reason backwards in away that is more lesson based? Absolutely!
Let examine someof the questions weask.
Is there a way wecan problematizethe content in ourquestioningtechniques?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
8/26
Applying Holmes Rules # 1
Begin with the end in mindby problematizing thecontent. Instead of askingstudents to Discuss thehistoric election of 1800 and
its consequences for theUnited States. Why notbegin with a problem? Whydid J ohn Adams lose theelection of 1800? What
social, political, andeconomic developmentsover the course of hispresidency helped to costhim the White House?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
9/26
Holmes Rules # 2
It is a capital mistaketo theorize before onehas data. Insensibly
one begins to twistfacts to suit theories,instead of theories tosuit facts.
A Scandal in Bohemia
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
10/26
Applying Holmes Rule # 2
Make use of primaryand secondary sourcesto enhance yourinstruction. With youroutcome in mind, planand create excitingunits that flow fromstudent interpretationsof these types ofsources. WhichPrimary Sources aremost important to yourclassroom?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
11/26
Holmes Rules # 3
Crime is common. Logic israre. Therefore it is uponthe logic rather than uponthe crime that you should
dwell.
The Adventure of theCopper Beeches
Approach the use of
primary sources in a logicalfashion applying the samefilters each time in order tobe able to compare andcontrast and draw
conclusions.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
12/26
Applying Holmes Rule # 3
Use teaching methodsthat will provide yourstudents with a familiarlens to view history.Over the course of the
past year, you wereexposed to severalteaching methods from.Using methods can allowstudents to review
content in a logical waylooking for importantcontent and connectionson the path to becomingindependent thinkersand learners.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
13/26
Holmes Rules # 4
We balanceprobabilities andchoose the most likely.
It is the scientific useof the imagination.
The Hound of theBaskervilles
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
14/26
Applying Holmes Rule # 4
Remember to be creative!Sources of information comefrom many places. Whether is itthe thesis of a textbook yearning
to be proven, or a memorialsitting silently by the town hallwaiting to be seen. Dont rely on
simple text. Make history comealive through heroes, music, art,
memorials, mysteries andproblems.
Which methods and resourcesfrom the grant experience can
you use?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/EugeneDebs.gifhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/EugeneDebs.gif7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
15/26
Holmes Rules # 5
Always look at thehands first, Watson.
Then cuffs, trouser-
knees, and boots.
The Adventure of theCreeping Man
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
16/26
Applying Holmes Rule # 5
First, in terms of primary sourceanalysis remember to use thosestrategies!
Second remember that you havethe power to place the entire worldat your students fingertips by
integrating technology into yourinstruction. How have you been
doing that so far? Are youincorporating collaborative learningthrough technology into yourteaching?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
17/26
Holmes Rules # 6
Circumstantial evidence isa very tricky thing. It mayseem to point very straightto one thing, but if you shiftyour own point of view alittle, you may find itpointing in an equallyuncompromising manner tosomething entirely
different.
The Boscombe ValleyMystery
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
18/26
Applying Holmes Rule # 6
The interpretation of evidenceand opening your students upto the process of historicalinvestigation by selecting
primary sources that supportmultiple interpretations is therichness that we can add toour classrooms. Recognizing
Point of View, Bias, historicalcircumstance can enliven yourstudents experience. Haveyou been using this in your
instruction? If so how?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
19/26
Holmes Rules # 7
There is nothingmore stimulatingthan a case whereeverything goesagainst you.
The Hound of theBaskervilles
Always make it apoint to challengeyour students withsources.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
20/26
Applying Holmes Rule # 7
Sometimes the best unitsare the ones we have towork a little harder todevelop. Be sure to usethe research and lesson
writing techniques youhave acquired to infuseyour lessons with new lifeand vitality. Delve intoareas of hidden, forgotten
or problematic history. Inshort: challenge yourselfand the rewards will beeven greater for yourstudent detectives.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/1909New-wine.JPG7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
21/26
Fun AdditionsElementary Eagles
Elementary teachersconsider making yourstudents library badges
for the library whenconducting interviewswith librarians orinterrogating sources
such as reading primarysources or viewinghistorical cartoons orphotographs.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
22/26
Middle School Markers
Use historical markers and considerunleashing your middle school detectiveson a campaign to make historical markers
for the classes and other rooms in yourschool.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
23/26
Set them out in the world!
Whether in thephysical or virtualworld have your
students go out insearch of historicalmysteries.
We are no longer
limited to time andspace!
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
24/26
In a nutshell
What is the content, conceptsand skills your students shouldmaster?Problematize the content.Determine which content andsources will engage yourstudents based on yourstandards.Decide on a logical strategy toapproach the analysis.Reconsider the sources arethere any other type of mediayou could employ?
Integrate collaborationand technology into theanalysis and finalproduct.
Have students examinepoint of view/ bias andemploy critical thinking.
Add extension to thelesson by infusing
research, writing andother skills to promote adynamite finishedproduct.
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
25/26
Brainstorming Time
What concepts arecentral to yourstandards?
What documents orsources/ images etc.can we infuse intoyour classroom?
How can we includecollaboration and 21stcentury skills?
7/29/2019 Sherlock Holmes Rules
26/26
Thank You!
Questions? Comments?
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]