GLEs and Benchmarks
History, the written record of the past, examines the forces of change and continuity that have
influenced the human experience over time. In our participatory democracy, that knowledge
must be shared by all. Americans need to understand the relationships between past and
present, the major trends in the historic and contemporary worlds, and key historical turning
points. The study of the great sweep of history explains the past so that citizens can understand
the present and look toward the future. The standards and benchmarks contained in this
strand should be applied throughout the social studies curriculum.
A. Historical Thinking Skills
H-1A-H1 applying key concepts, such as chronology and conflict, to explain and analyze
patterns of historical change and continuity;
(1, 2, 3, 4)
H-1A-H2 explaining and analyzing events, ideas, and issues within a historical context;
(1, 2, 3, 4)
H-1A-H3 interpreting and evaluating the historical evidence presented in primary and
secondary sources;
(1, 2, 3, 4)
H-1A-H4 utilizing knowledge of facts and concepts drawn from history and methods of
historical inquiry to analyze historical and contemporary issues;
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
H-1A-H5 conducting research in efforts to analyze historical questions and issues;
(1, 2, 3, 4)
H-1A-H6 analyzing cause-effect relationships;
(1, 2, 3, 4)