1 Using Primary Sources “Then” and “Now” Democratic Vistas: Teaching American History Lois Libby and Greg Hatzis

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Using Primary Sources“Then” and “Now”

Democratic Vistas: Teaching American History

Lois Libby and Greg Hatzis

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Types of Primary Sources

A Reminder of the MANY TYPES…1. Text: documents in the original

handwriting, cookbooks, advertisements, journals, letters, diaries, lyrics

2. Objects: artifacts, tools, weapons, inventions, uniforms, fashion, tombstones

3. Images: photographs, film, video, fine art, cartoons, maps

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Types of Primary Sources

4. Audio: music, oral histories, interviews, recordings (like speeches or radio)

5. Statistics: census data, land surveys, maps, ordinances, blueprints, or architectural drawings

6. Community: physical surroundings, family photographs (of ancestors and their homes), memorabilia, souvenirs, recipes, ancestors' clothes, ancestors' papers, oral histories, local historical societies, genealogical information

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Rationale for Using Primary Sources - The “Why”

STUDENTS WILL GAIN:1. Exposure to multiple perspectives on issues.

2. Knowledge of content and context. Detailed information of what the people of the time were thinking at the time.

3. Analysis skills. Instead of relying on textbook interpretation, they will rely on their own.

4. Historical thinking skills: asking questions, interpreting, crafting an argument, looking for support for an argument, etc.Meets EVERY Historical Thinking Standard

Brainstorming….

HOW do you use primary sources?

WHEN do you use primary sources?

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Suggestions for Using Primary Source Documents

Focus activitiesAt the beginning of a unitRe-engage students during a long unit

Problem Solving/Inquiry activitiesStudents discover nuances of topic on their ownReduce lecturing…more student centered

Comparing Historical Eras

See handout: “Suggestions for Using Primary Source Documents”

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Application activitiesApply what they have already learned to

interpretation of sourcesAllows for comparing of different views

AssessmentUse primary sources to evaluate student

mastery of skills and knowledgeComparing Historical Eras

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Comparing Historical ErasSee how two topics are related:

For example

Jim Crow laws vs. Gay Marriage ban

Immigration restrictions

Profiling todaySee how the Primary Source Media are

related:For example – how cartoons are used

-- how song lyrics are used

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See handout: “Suggestions for Using Primary Source Documents”

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Graphic Organizers

1. Document Analysis Worksheetswww.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/index.html Written Document Photograph Cartoon Poster Map Artifact Motion Picture Sound Recording

2. SOAPSTone S: What is the subject or main idea? O: What is the occasion? (setting, time, place)

A: Who is the audience? P: What is the purpose or reason for the source? S: Who is the speaker/author?

T: What is the tone or emotion/attitude of the piece?