Introduction
Analyzing, interpreting, comparing, and examining the validity of sources are all skills that we expect students to develop in social studies. Seeing as these are needed skills for students, it is crucial that we help them form a strong understanding of what a source is and how to differentiate between kinds of sources.
What is a source?
According to the dictionary.com, a source is any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained.
Types of sources:
Primary - any piece of information created by someone who witnessed first hand or was part of the historical event being described (examples - journal entires, letters, photographs, etc.).
Secondary - information that is created later by someone who did not experience fist hand or participate in the events being discussed.
Games/Activities/Resources for teaching about sources:
Play a round of telephone with the class. (Note: set some ground rules first to ensure appropriate language.) Following the game, discuss how information can get changed as it is passed from one person to the next. Use this as a way to transition into the topic of primary and secondary sources (i.e. only the first whisper is a primary source).
Set up stations, each with a different source (primary or secondary). Have students move to each station trying to identify if the source is primary or secondary. (See an example here.)
Anchor chart and source examples at: upper elementary snapshots.
Example lesson plan on primary and secondary sources here.
Sources:
- https://www.library.illinois.edu/village/primarysource/mod1/pg2.htm
- http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/pr/Primary_source
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