Primary and Secondary Sources Teacher Resources

Fifth graders discuss the cooperation of the civilian population during World War II. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders read My Secret War and complete reflection strips over the reading. Students discuss primary sources.

Middle schoolers research government-run American Indian boarding schools. In this American Indian history lesson, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the forced acculturation of American Indians through...

Students research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression as they read Steinbeck's The...

Students analyze primary sources on slavery from Kansas Territory. For this Civil War lesson, students evaluate the antislavery and pro-slavery arguments and summarize key points. Students write a persuasive paper from the antislavery...

For this ancient Greece worksheet, students read the primary source "Demosthenes Warns of Danger," and then respond to 6 short answer questions based on the provided source.

Students interpret primary sources and recreate the story of the Garber family.

Students employ primary resources to investigate the rise and decline of a canteen in World War II. The significance of volunteerism and the use of the railroad for troop transportation are examined.

Students analyze primary sources (photographs) for evidence of American military technology during WWII. They debate the use of the Atomic Bomb. Students view the Rosenthal image. They discuss the image in detail.

Middle schoolers examine primary sources that include pictographs from Puebla, Mexico. In this Huexotzinco Codex lesson, students perform historical analysis as they investigate the codex as they make inferences and draw conclusions...

Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this fugitive slave instructional activity, students research and analyze fugitive slave advertisements from Virginia newspapers.

Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. For this Civil War lesson, students analyze photographs taken by Mathew Brady.

Eleventh graders explore opinions regarding U.S. involvement in Vietnam. In this primary source analysis lesson, 11th graders analyze political cartoons related to the Vietnam War and then respond to the provided discussion questions.

For this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer questions that require them to analyze the maps of their choice.

In this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 14 short answer questions that require them to analyze the motion picture of their choice.

Students use primary sources to see how Maryland was a divided state during the time leading up to the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson plan, students go over vocabulary, and look at maps that show the division of opinions of people...

In this Arizona history worksheet, high schoolers read a 5 page selection that includes primary sources about time periods in the state's history. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the selection.

Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this American West lesson, students examine photographs that reveal the cultural components of the West and then write narratives regarding the photographs.

The past helps to inform the present and the future—that's why the study of history is so important. The handout describes what historians do and why their jobs are meaningful. Readers learn about what to expect in a college-level...

For a class learning about Chinese and Irish immigration in America, here's a great starting lesson plan. It has your critical thinkers examining song lyrics, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and a political cartoon, and finally...

Explore the enormity of World War II, including its causes, prominent battles, and historical figures, with an interactive map and timeline. Divided into each year from 1939 to 1945, as well as sections pre- and post-war, the resource...

Why, 20 years after the death of Egyptian pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut, did people attempt to erase her memory from Egyptian history? Gain insight into ancient Egyptian culture and how a female monarch was viewed with this...

Fourth graders are introduced to primary and secondary sources. Using examples of each type of source, they work together to identify which are primary and which are secondary sources. They end the lesson by reviewing the...

Students analyze primary sources to determine the effects of the Great Depression on American society. They evaluate how government expanded during this time period because of New Deal legislation.

For this sources of information worksheet, students respond to 7 fill in the blank questions regarding primary and secondary sources.