Introducing Primary Sources

Locating Primary Sources

Types of primary sources

• Maps- lessons on historical, geographical, environmental topics, developing observational skills
  
• Photos- great for younger students, developing observational skills and inferences, further analysis through research
  
• Documents and Texts- more challenging, will the student read the entire text or an excerpt? If an excerpt is taken remember to fill in missing content so they can understand it in its true context. Ways to analyze text- word splash; knowledge rating; It says, I say, and so; 6 Traits of writing;
  
• Material culture (3-Dimensional objects)- great for younger students, good introduction to primary sources

American Memory has created overviews of the different types of primary sources and how they can be used:

Types of Primary Sources
Using Primary Sources in the Classroom

Lessons using primary sources in different subjects

Examples by teachers from 'Teaching with Colorado's Heritage' educator workshops (look for the 'piloted in schools' logo)

Searching for primary sources to use in your lesson

• Databases:
  Heritage Colorado
  Library of Congress American Memory
  Yale Avalon Project
  Making of America
  New York Public Library Digital Gallery
  Getty Museum Image Gallery
  Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Survey
  
  
• Search Engines
  
  
• Other Sources- historic collections, library collections, local historic associations, etc.
  
  

  Considerations

• Use primary sources that are appropriate for developmental level of students.
  
  
• Use primary sources in a way that requires students to think critically, analyze and/or synthesize information.
  
  
• Present the metadata (biobliographic information) with every primary source used.
  
  
• It is important to consider the reliability of a primary source. Consider the 'time and place rule' (the closer to the time and place of creation the more reliable the primary source) and the bias of the creator. For an example of a lesson evaluating the reliability of primary sources, visit: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/lessons/psources/analyze.html
  
  
• Primary sources often reflect the viewpoint of the creator and era. Sometimes they reflect racist or sexist material. How will you sensitively address this issue? Will you be teaching your students about biased viewpoints?
  
  
• If you are using an excerpt of a document, consider filling in the missing information so students can understand the context of the excerpt.

   

Tools for analyzing primary sources

Analysis guides help organize the thoughts of students as they learn to analyze primary sources.

You can use one of the following analysis guides in your lesson. Alternatively, you can adapt one to meet your needs or create one of your own:

• Primary Source Analysis Guide
• Media Analysis Tools (American Memory)
• Document Analysis Worksheets (NARA)