In recent years, there’s been a push for the use of primary
sources in teacher circles. Many factors contribute to this increased interest.
With the Internet’s overabundance of information and clunky textbooks making
students eyes glaze over, sometimes it’s hard for students to connect with what
they are learning or even feel like they are getting accurate information on
the subject. Primary sources not only provide a deeper, more personal look into
our world's past, but they also give realistic qualities to abstract curriculum.
When children read primary sources such as ship logs,
historic figures’ diaries, and government documents, it encourages them to seek
more information. It also fosters active reading and response to what they are
learning. (Read: a helpmate to common core.) Primary sources seem to help
students become better learners.
Since primary sources are often bias or incomplete, students
have to build on their previous knowledge and pair the primary sources to discover
patterns. They also must struggle with conflicting information and face the
complexity of history head on. In small ways, this might also help them develop compassion, and form a sharper sense of their individual morals.
Document Based Questions (often referred to as DBQ) are also
a handy tool to pair with primary sources to exercise students’ critical
thinking skills. They’re increased importance are being called the future of
state assessments, and teachers are feeling the pressure equal to that applied
when common core began taking hold.
Still further, primary sources and their applications are
expanding into advanced exams in schools. A shiny example is New York’s Regent
Exams. These intense, subject-based tests are giving teachers a realistic
assessment of their student’s knowledge and focus on subject matter. The regents lay classroom expectations that
put New York’s students way above the common core curve. A lot of that
expectation can be met with primary sources and accompanying activities offered
by teachers. Many states are expected to chart the same course as New York.
As you can see, primary sources are vital to every aspect of
student’s learning. With this in mind, we’ve created and utilized middle grade
curriculum and activities dedicated to taking advantage of their unique glimpse
into the past. Below are a few links, but feel free to check out our Teachers
Pay Teachers store for additional options.
- Analyzing pictures/artwork for primary sources (ancient pictographs, renaissance artwork, medieval artwork). See ideas under Egypt pictographs, renaissance, and Aztecs in TPT store.
- Who said it perspective quotes. Students go to sides of the room, or hold up fingers, or compete with flyswatters hitting pictures on the board in paired competition. So many options! Example would be explorers versus Native Americans.
- Bumper sticker main idea summaries for paragraphs in a primary source. Fun. Modern connection. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spanish-Inquisition-and-Spain-Bumper-Sticker-REVISED-212717
- Interview a historical figure on FaceTime. I love this one. Common Core, interactive, ownership, students draw themselves.http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FaceTime-Interview-World-History-Activity-Bundle-1259884
- Found poem with primary sources. Portions of sentences, sometimes just words on each line. Cool and easy for students.http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Civil-War-Quote-Activity-Bundle-Working-with-Primary-Sources-120920
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