Primary and Secondary Sources Teacher Resources

Life in the great, wide-open spaces of the West! Scholars analyze the reasons behind the vast movement to the Great Plains after the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Homestead Act. Using photographic, document, map, video, and...

Need a comprehensive test about global history and geography? Look no further!  Test young historians' understanding of how to use primary sources to formulate answers with an assessment that uses multiple-choice questions that...

Developing a test that uses primary sources to assess class members knowledge of the history of the United States is no easy task! Save yourself the time and stress and use a final exam that includes essay, multiple choice, and short...

While the Constitution requires a "State of the Union" address, it doesn't give many details. In fact, it wasn't until Woodrow Wilson that the periodic update to Congress was given in-person. Using primary sources, recordings and...

"Love it or leave it." "You're either for us or against us." Rhetoric and it's polarizing effects are the focus of a lesson that uses John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry as an exemplar. Groups examine primary source documents,...

Your young historians will be intrigued to read and analyze Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address, which discusses the president's take on the causes of the Civil War and connections between the North and the South.

President Lincoln believed in the Thirteenth Amendment so strongly that he signed 14 copies of it, but died before he could see it passed on December 18, 1965. Explore the text that forever abolished slavery in America with a document...

Imagine the challenge of trying to trace your family genealogy if no records were kept of births and deaths. Where would you look for information? What types of documents could provide you with the information you seek? History...

Prior knowledge is key when starting any novel unit, but it's essential before introducing Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Three lessons provide primary documents, historical discussions, and extended reading activities...

So who exactly was John Brown? John Brown fought for abolition during the Civil War. Scholars learn all about his legacy through the variety of activities in the sixth of 15 lessons, including viewing and analyzing primary source...

Every once in awhile a resource comes along that has all the materials you could ever want on a specific topic. Here's such a resource; an amazing collection of primary sources, photographs, posters, handbills, articles, and even the...

Fifth graders read My Secret War. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders discuss how United States citizens worked together to ensure success in the war. Students discuss primary and secondary sources. Students paraphrase.

Eighth graders describe in detail a time in their life when they were the most afraid, causes of the fear and how they overcame it. This experience is compared/contrasted to the actual circumstances behind slave auction blocks. They read...

Students identify the role of the museum as a cultural resource in the community. They use primary and secondary sources to evaluate institutional, and media influences on people and society in both historical and contemporary settings.

Students research facts about Indiana's history. In this state history lesson, students use primary and secondary sources to research significant events from Indiana's history. They work in small groups to create a class presentation.

Eleventh graders consider what life was like for American slaves. In this primary source analysis lesson, 11th graders read slave narratives from Unchained Memories and then participate in a discussion about the conditions in which...

Student examines the role of the Underground railroad. In this Post-Civil War lesson, 7th graders read and analyze primary sources. Students create a timeline that details the events of the stories.

Eighth graders analyze documents and maps of Plainfield, CT from different time periods, then, working in a small group, create a map for a giventime.  In this Plainfield lesson, 8th graders read primary and secondary sources...

Students examine President Carter's stance on the energy crisis of the 1970s. For this energy crisis lesson, students analyze primary sources that feature the crisis during Carter's term. Students script and...

Students explore the concept of symbolism. In this social studies lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the use of symbols in the past and the impact of symbols in today's culture.

In this primary source analysis worksheet, high schoolers examine Native American history to complete the graphic organizer about gender roles in Native American societies.

Seventh graders begin the lesson by reading primary sources about the country of Mali. Using maps drawn in the past, they discuss what they can gather about the country from the map and how it has changed over time. They use a graphic...

Students examine child labor laws. For this social justice lesson, students compare and contrast child labor laws of the United States and the state of Nebraska. Students research primary sources and complete the included analysis...

Students examine information regarding the Protestant Reformation. In this primary source analysis lesson, students read teacher-selected primary sources that enable them to analyze the ideas and consequences of the Reformation.