Questions about the past
Develop questions about objects, people, places and events in the past and present, such as who used an object, what a place was like long ago or how an event was celebrated
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Questions about the past means inventing questions about objects, people, places, and events—past and present—like who used an object, what a place was like long ago, or how an event was celebrated. We will ask three strong questions, then check a fresh question stem.”
Bring to the table
- One interesting household object or photo
- Question-stem cards: Who…? What was… like…? How was… celebrated?
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Who used this spoon? What was kitchen work like long ago? How was a birthday celebrated?
Optional challenge. For Questions about the past, write two questions and mark which needs evidence to answer.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: questions asked; stems used; support used. This session samples questioning, not mastery of every topic.
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Questions about the past means inventing questions about objects, people, places, and events—past and present—like who used an object, what a place was like long ago, or how an event was celebrated. We will ask three strong questions, then check a fresh question stem.
Materials: One interesting household object or photo; Question-stem cards: Who…? What was… like…? How was… celebrated?. 1. Place the object/photo. Say historians ask questions before answering. 2. Child asks a Who…? question about the object. 3. Child asks a What was… like…? or How was… celebrated? question. Adult notes both. 4. Fresh check: child answers one new prompt on the same idea. Record and stop. Done: Offer a fresh stem. Proof: parent note of examples tried and support used. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceQuestions about the past practice
Choose strong who/what/how questions about the past.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
BBC Bitesize · Practice link — not the full lesson
Ancient Greece
Before you open · source notes
Ancient Greece supports Questions about the past. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public BBC Bitesize page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
BBC Bitesize. “Ancient Greece.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Write or say three questions to ask a grandparent about their childhood (e.g. 'What games did you play?')
- Ask who, what, when, where and why questions about an old object or photo (e.g. 'Who used this? When was it made?')
- Pose a question comparing a place in the past and present (e.g. 'What was here before the shops?')
“When looking at old family photos, does your child ask questions like 'Who is that?', 'When was it taken?' or 'What was here before?'”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- History
- Domain
- Historical Thinking
- Age range
- Ages 6–8
Standards