PBS
Primary Sources
Students see how to use primary and secondary sources to investigate history. Whether it is a photograph, book, map, letter, postcard, newspaper, or official document, students can use sources to reconstruct and relive history.
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Early Champlain Valley History
Class members use primary sources to craft an essay about early Champlain Valley History. I would use this as a homework assignment.
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Baltimoreans in the California Gold Rush
Eleventh graders explore the reasons for migration to California during the Gold Rush. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read letters about the opportunities and obstacles people faced. Students create a map of...
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Teaching With Primary Sources
Young scholars examine primary sources. In this primary sources lesson, students evaluate 19th century advertisements. Young scholars create and illustrate an advertisement.
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War Aims Worksheet
In this World War II activity, students read excerpts of 2 American diplomatic memos written in the 1930's to Germany and Japan. Then students respond to 2 short answer questions.
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My Secret War: Lesson 3
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.
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My Secret War: Lesson 7
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.
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Massive Resistance and School Integration
Fourth graders write a short story that shows their feelings on a chosen historical perspective on school integration of the past. In this school integration lesson plan, 4th graders learn about Separate But Equal, resistance to change,...
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Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration
Students pay tribute to Abraham Lincoln. In this Lincoln celebration lesson, students create short films using images and narrate facts found online. Students use a video editing program and publish final products on Lincoln's...
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Establishment of Plainfield
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 instructional activity, 8th graders read primary and...
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Hallie Flanagan Before Hearings. Special Committee on Un-American Activities #2
In this teaching American history worksheet, pupils examine a primary source document regarding the Hallie Flannigan hearing on un-American activities. Students discuss their impressions of the document.
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The king, the crown and the colonel: How did Thomas Blood try to steal the crown jewels in 1671?
Students investigate Thomas Blood's attempt to steal the crown jewels. In this investigative lesson, students use four different primary sources to answer questions about how Thomas Blood tried to steal the crown jewels.
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Baseball, Race and Ethnicity: Rounding the Bases
Students consider Race and Ethnicity in baseball. In this American history lesson, students examine primary source images of American baseball. They then develop an original argument, pose historical questions and conduct Internet research.
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Census Detective
In this census worksheet, students look at primary sources of census's from Westminster's history and answer short answer questions about them. Students look at 4 sources and answer 27 questions total.
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Explore the Constitution
Students examine the U.S. Constitution. For this American history lesson, students explore the founders' vision of U.S. government as they participate in readers' theatre, role-playing scenarios, and constitutional analysis activities.
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Lesson PlanThe Huexotzinco Codex
Students 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 about taxes...
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Analyzing Sources on Imperialism
Ninth graders explore the concept of imperialism. In this imperialism lesson, 9th graders analyze primary sources regarding British imperialism in Africa. Students analyze the sources for credibility as they gain an understanding of the...
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The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation
Students examine and analyze an unknown document (Jefferson's original rough draught of The Declaration). In this document analysis lesson, students compare the rough draught with the first printed version and work in pairs to analyze...
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Primary and Secondary Sources
Young scholars complete worksheets having to do with primary and secondary source documents. For this sources lesson, students define a primary source document, look at examples of primary and secondary sources. Young scholars complete...
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Sources of Information
For this sources of information worksheet, students respond to 7 fill in the blank questions regarding primary and secondary sources.
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World War II Through Primary Sources
Seventh graders explore, analyze and study World War II through primary sources to assess the differences and impact of a "world war" vs. "a small war." They critique liberated prisoner letters, describe what they see in photographs and...
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Primary Sources and Archaeology in the Study of Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Tenth graders begin the lesson by plotting trade routes, major empires and items traded. Using primary sources, they examine their own values regarding trading items for royality. They participate in a role-play exercise in which they...
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Mali
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...