Duke University
Duke University Libraries: Finding Primary Sources
Finding primary sources can be difficult and confusing at times. This site provides a list of history databases, rare books and manuscripts, and research guides for those looking for primary resources such as diaries, letters,...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian: Engaging Students With Primary Sources
This reference guide is designed to highlight the benefits of using primary source materials in any classroom and to provide the teacher with practical suggestions and examples of how to do this. It includes a bibliography and links to...
Library of Congress
Loc: Kindergarten Historians: Primary Sources in an Early
If you've ever wondered how early elementary students develop historical thinking skills, check out this lesson with a group of kindergarten students. The Class of 2025 demonstrated their educational readiness while engaged in analyzing...
Utah Education Network
Uen: World War One Main Events Using Primary Sources
In this lesson, 5th graders will use primary sources to learn about World War I. Students will record their discoveries about World War I on a graphic organizer provided with the lesson.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Letters From Frontier: Primary Documents
George Catlin made extensive observations on the various native peoples that he encountered on his travels in the West. He recorded his experiences in letters and notes. These documents provide us with critical information on the culture...
Library of Congress
Loc: Primary Source Set: Thanksgiving
Teaching guide that uses primary sources to cover the history, traditions, and events of the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Provides additional online resources.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Alexander Graham Bell Primary Source Activity
Eighth graders will critically examine primary sources to gain a better understanding of Alexander Graham Bell and the impact of his inventions.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Modern Youth
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Modern Faith
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: "Machine Age"
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Machine: Automobile
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Business
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Consumerism
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Crash
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Using Primary Sources
This is an interdisciplinary inquiry-based instructional activity that focuses on critical thinking. Students are introduced to the true story of the first Thanksgiving with the reading of a NCSS Notable Trade Book Thanksgiving: The True...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Exp: Primary Resources: Nixon's Checkers Speech
Dwight Eisenhower's Vice President, Richard Nixon, came under fire for misusing political contributions for personal expenses. These are transcripts of Nixon's speech delivered in 1952.
TES Global
Tes: Determining of Credibility of Online Sources
[Free Registration/Login Required] This free resource is a sheet that will help students assess the credibility of an online primary source or an online secondary source.
Curated OER
Mc Graw Hill: Compare Primary and Secondary Sources
Learn how to analyze and compare the relationship between a primary and a secondary source.
Library of Congress
Loc: Sourcing a Document: The First Thanksgiving
In this activity, students discuss the reliability of a painting of the First Thanksgiving to introduce the idea that is crucial to consider a source's date.
George Mason University
George Mason University: World History Sources: Official Documents
A guide to dissecting official documents. Learn how to find the author of documents, the primary audience, and other important information.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Primary Source Picture Book
Inspired by My Tour Of Europe, by Teddy Roosevelt, students will create a children's picture book based on a topic of historical study to be used as a primary document.
Library of Congress
Loc: Primary Documents in American History: The Articles of Confederation
The original Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between thirteen states, created in 1777 and ratified in 1781. It preceded the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
US National Archives
Docsteach: A Revolution, a Reaction and a Reform: National History Day
Students will analyze primary source documents related to the National History Day (NHD) theme for 2011-12: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, determine how the documents are connected to the theme, and evaluate the effectiveness...
Other
Middle Tennessee State University: The Progressive Era
This site offers a plethora of primary source documents to further your understanding of the Progressive Era. Background on this time period and a bibliography for further research are provided. Documents include flyers, pictures,...