Teaching with Primary Sources New Teacher’s Annoucments

NAME
What are Primary Sources?

OVERVIEW
This is an introductory, guided discussion. Participants discuss primary sources and why should they be used in learning. Participants are asked to answer simple questions.

BEST FOR
K-12 Educators

GOAL
Introduce educators to the classroom potential of primary sources.

TIME
30 - 45 minutes

OBJECTIVES

Discovery through inquiry about the importance of primary sources.
Connect primary sources to classroom activities.

MATERIALS/RESOURCES
This is a discussion activity. The facilitator can choose to present the discussion questions to the group as a questionnaire, or prompt participants with the questions provided below. The facilitator needs to be familiar with primary sources and the difference between primary sources and secondary sources.

The facilitator should consider visiting the Library of Congress’ American Memory collection and print some examples of primary sources to use as examples during the guided discussion. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

PROCEDURE
1. Ask participants to answer the following questions about primary sources. The questions can be handed out on a sheet of paper, or the facilitator can present the questions orally to the group.

1. What is the definition of a primary source?
2. How do secondary and primary sources, differ?
3. What are the characteristics of the common of primary source items?
4. What criteria should be used in identifying an item as a primary source?
5. What questions are helpful in analyzing a primary source?

2. Ask educators to imagine using primary sources in the classroom. Knowledge about primary sources combined with the desire to use these materials with students creates some practical questions for the group to discuss.

1. Why add primary sources?
2. How can primary sources enhance student learning?
3. What are some specific learner benefits from using primary sources?
4. Does the addition of primary sources fit with mandated curriculum standards?
5. How can primary sources help you accommodate different learning styles?
6. What kinds of primary source analysis questions can be used to encourage students to use higher order thinking skills?
7. What is an organized way to incorporate the use of primary sources into one’s planning for teaching?
8. What organizations have safe online material for students seeking primary sources?