Primary Sources

What Are Primary Sources? Words and objects that give you firsthand information about a subject Artifacts Documents Oral Histories and Interviews Paintings, Photographs, and Prints Maps Cartoons Sound Recordings and Films

Why Use Primary Sources in the Classroom? Primary Sources help students: Develop observation skills Develop vocabulary and reading- comprehension skills Develop inquiry skills

Why Use Primary Sources in the Classroom? Primary Sources help students: Understand that history has local links Develop empathy for the human condition Analyze different points of view

Why Use Primary Sources in the Classroom? Primary Sources help students: Understand that history is a continuum and that people all make their own personal histories Develop research skills that lead to analyzing sources and forming opinions

Let’s Analyze a Primary Source Group 1: Divided Image Group 2: Point of View Group 3: Dialogue Group 4: Compare and Contrast Group 5: Prequel/Sequel Writing

Creating Visual Learners and Critical Thinkers

Art – Painting and Sculptures What is the subject? What does it show? How does the artist feel about the subject?

Maps What does it show? What is its purpose? Why are colors or shading used?

Songs and Speeches What is it and who wrote it? What is it about? What feelings are expressed? O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

Photographs What does it show? When was it taken? What are important details?

Written Words What is it and who wrote it? When was it written? What is it about?

Artifacts What is it made of? When was it made? What was it used for?

Document-Based Questions Painting or Sculpture – page 68 Document – page R3 Song or Speech Photograph Map – page 16 Artifact – page 36

NYC Primary Source Center

Activity Cards