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Phase 2 · Check

What can the evidence really tell us?

Identify who made a source, when and why; explain what it can and cannot tell you; check a claim against another source; and separate WE KNOW, WE THINK and WE DON’T KNOW.

Suggested time · About 50 minutesWork with · 2–3 sources at a timeBring · Your FIND question

Lesson resources

Video

CHECK walkthrough

1. START · Source or door?

Look at Google, ChatGPT, a diary from 1916 and a museum website showing a photograph from 1916. Which of these are sources?

CHECKThe door is not the source

A search engine, AI tool or website can help you find or access something. Identify the actual source: What is it? Who made it? When? Why?

2. MODEL · Reliable for what?

Examine one source together:

  • WHO made this?
  • WHEN?
  • WHY did they make it?
  • WHAT can it tell us?
  • WHAT CAN’T it tell us?

Do not ask only “Is it reliable?” Ask “Reliable for what?” A propaganda poster may show what its makers wanted people to believe, not what everyday life was like. A diary may tell us about one person’s experience, not everybody’s.

3. INVESTIGATE · Evidence detectives

Work in pairs or small groups. Complete one source column for each of your 2–3 sources:

  • What is it? Who made it? When? Why was it made?
  • What can this source tell us?
  • What can’t this source tell us?
  • Does it help answer our big question? A lot / A little / Not really. How?

A source is something someone made. It becomes evidence when you use it to answer your question.

4. INTRODUCE THE BIG TOOL · Know, Think, Don’t Know

WE KNOW

The evidence shows it. We can point to where it comes from.

WE THINK

The evidence gives us a good reason to think it, but does not show it directly.

WE DON’T KNOW

The evidence cannot tell us. We do not fill the gap because it makes a better story.

Compare: “This person worked in the factory.” “Their work was probably physically tiring.” “They hated their job.” What could support each? The category depends on your evidence, not on how convincing the sentence sounds.

5. TRY IT · Know, Think or Don’t Know?
  • WE KNOW: Something your evidence shows. Which source shows it?
  • WE THINK: Something the evidence gives you a good reason to think. What makes you think this?
  • WE DON’T KNOW: Something you would like to know but the evidence cannot tell you. Complete this box too.
6. CHECK IT AGAIN

Choose one WE KNOW or WE THINK claim. Does another source support this?

Another source: supports it / gives a different picture / cannot tell us.

Did the second source make your claim stronger, weaker or more complicated?

CHECKEnd of CHECK

Do you know more about this person now? Do you know everything? Keep all three categories visible. Good history does not hide the gaps. It tells you where they are.

If there is more time

Continue the same CHECK sheet with an additional source and update the same claims. Do not start a second version of CHECK. Then move to COMPARE.