Inculcate historical thinking skills in teaching history

Abstract

This paper discusses historical thinking skills inculcation in teaching History. The History subject of the Primary School History Curriculum (KSSR) was first introduced as a subject at the primary level in 2013. The History subject of the Primary School History Curriculum (KSSR) was first introduced as a subject at the primary level in 2013 for Level 2 starting Year 4 and is a core subject that must be studied. This aims to foster students' understanding of History subjects at an early stage so that students acquire and master the knowledge and skills of History. The research method is the combination of components or elements to form a connected whole. The findings show that before the New Primary School Curriculum (KBSR) which was introduced in 1983, the History subject formerly known as Chronicles was taught in primary schools to Grade 4, Grade 5, and Grade 6 students. In KBSR, elements of history were included in the subject Local Studies studied at Level 2 for Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6. The Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM) outlines that the Primary School Standard Curriculum (KSSR) is formulated based on the principles of Rukun Negara (Pillar of the Nation), the National Philosophy of Education (FPK) and the pillars of KSSR which are i) communication; ii) Physical & Aesthetic Development; iii) Humanity; iv) Personal Skills; v) Science and Technology and vi) Spirituality, attitudes, and values. The KSSR History subject is also formulated on the same principle by emphasizing the cognitive, effective, and psychomotor domains as well as applying added value of the new millennium such as thinking skills, information, and communication technology skills, multi-intelligence skills, future studies, and lifelong learning.