Mind Mapping®

This is the video we saw about Mind Mapping. So far, the ones students are making are beautiful.

They are great for:
Goal Setting
Analysis
Characterization
Historical Connection
And so much more!

Video Resource

If you studied The Great Gatsby with me, you know how much I love the succinct analysis of one of these brothers.

Well, hurrah! They have a video channel called Crash Course.  It is great. Filled with short, fast videos of science and history, you can activate some prior knowledge, gain some insight, and review some material with these fast talking guys.

Here's an example. It is titled "The Renaissance. Was it a Thing?" You decide. They will help you. (oh, and in a way, I think they are OPVL-in the whole historical period, did ya pick up on that?).

Command Terms For History

IB History Command Terms

What are they asking you to do?!?!?!

Analyze

Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

 

Compare

 

Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situation, referring to both (or all)of them throughout.

 

Compare and Contrast

 

Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (or all) throughout.

 

Contrast

 

Give an account of the difference between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (or all) throughout.

 

Define

 

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

 

Describe

 

Give a detailed account.

Discuss

 

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses.  Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

 

Distinguish

 

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.

 

Evaluate

 

Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

 

Examine

 

Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelations of the issue.

 

Explain

 

Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

 

 

Identify

 

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities.

 

Justify

Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or a conclusion.

 

To what extent

 

Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly with appropriate evidence and sound argument. 

 

 

 

Check out this Quizlet set!  See how well you know these command terms!

Command terms flash cards

 

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O.P.V.L.

Historical Analysis in the IB can be scary!

Just remember OPVL!

"When considering OPVL for your sources of evidence, think about what type of source you are evaluating. A WWII-era fork and spoon are very different than a letter written home by a WWII soldier. Both sources are valid but you'll have to consider different questions for OPVL."
~Mr. Hyer 

Origin

– In one or two sentences state the origins of the source.

• What type of document is it?

 

• When and where was it produced?

 

• Who produced it?

Example Sentence:

 

Template:

 

This origin of this source is a _____________ that was written by ____________in ____________in___________.  Its purpose was to _______________ so _____________. A value of this is that it __________________. However, a limitation of the source is that it ___________________.

 

Filled in template:

 

The origin of the source is a letter that was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1787 in Virginia. Its purpose was to convince George Washington to veto the National Treasury so there would be no central bank. A value of this document is that it shows how the anti-Federalists were feeling about Alexander Hamilton's idea for a National Treasury. However, a limitation of the source is that it only shows Thomas Jeffereson's perspective and not the view of the other side.

Purpose

– In one or two sentences state the purpose of the source.

 

The purpose of the source…

 

• Who was the intended audience?

 

• For what purposes was it written?

Key Words to possibly use here:

 

Persuade

Inform

Debate
Convince

Detail

Outline

Communicate

Describe

Entice

Sell

Rally

 

 

 

 

Value

– In one or two well-written paragraph(s) explain the value of the document for

historians. Provide and explain specific evidence from the document to support your

answers. A minimum of two values must be proven.

With reference to the origin and purpose, what is the value of the document for
historians studying this event?

 

Example:

This document is valuable because it was written ______________________ and the author was ____________________.  This shows that ____________________.

 

 

Key Words to possibly use here:

Bias

Propaganda

Written at the time of the events

Historical Perspective

Advertisement

Campaign

Letter

Memoir

Private Writing

Public Writing

 

Limitations

– In one or two well-written paragraph(s) explain the limitations of the

document. Remember to make specific references to the document in your response.

A minimum of two limitations must be proven.

With reference to the origin and purpose, what are the limitations of the

document for historians studying this event?

Because this document was written by _______________ in ________________, it has a limitation of ___________________.

Key Words to possibly use here:

Bias

Propaganda

Written at the time of the events

Historical Perspective

Advertisement

Campaign

Letter

Memoir

Private Writing

Public Writing

 Helpful links:
OPVL Definitions
OPVL List of Types of Sources with Vs and Ls
OPVL with Grading Rubric