It's not enough to see or just read a primary source document; one has to analyze them fully to understand their historical implications. First learners are introduced to what primary and secondary sources are, then they read a bit of...

Learners who have a grasp on the events of the Revolutionary war view clips from five different films as secondary sources. They take notes on each clip thinking about historic inaccuracies. They then view parts of the film The Patriot...

Explore the differences between primary and secondary resources with this plan. First, learners will categorize a list of resources into two groups: primary or secondary. Then, the teacher reads different examples and has learners guess...

Explore primary and secondary sources in this historical analysis activity. Young researchers define the terms primary source and secondary source. They read a primary source document provided by the teacher and answer questions about...

Students research the events surrounding the Alamo in 1863, and explore the differences between primary and secondary sources of information. They brainstorm lists of items used to research a subject and categorize them as primary or...

Distinguish the difference between primary and secondary sources. High schoolers discover how to conduct an interview using an individual as a primary source, and why it is important to get a real-life perspective. They either video or...

Students examine copies of primary source documents and determine the document's value to a researcher. They analyze and evaluate the document for bias or contradiction. They know the difference between a primary and secondary source.

What makes writing literary? What comprises analysis? A 15-slide PowerPoint presentation, created by the Purdue University Writing Lab, tackles these questions. The explanations of what makes writing literary and what comprises analysis...

Spend several days with your class exploring local history. Learners brainstorm and categorize sources of historical information as primary or secondary; collect and present artifacts from family/community; construct a definition of...

Young scholars explore primary and secondary sources. In this historical research instructional activity, students use the internet to find sources of information . Young scholars describe what information they gained from the document...

In this secondary source analysis worksheet, learners respond to 14 short answer questions about a secondary source of their choosing.

Students explore Pocahontas.  In this U.S. history critical thinking lesson, students view a video clip about Pocahontas and John Smith. Students give opinions about whether they think Pocahontas really saved John Smith's life, and then...

Students examine primary sources. In this primary sources lesson plan, students evaluate 19th century advertisements. Students create and illustrate an advertisement.

Students consider reasons for studying history. In this historical perspectives lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about historical studies and read and discuss handouts about primary/secondary sources and historical bias. 

Students discover how to use primary and secondary sources in research. In this Civil War lesson, students conduct research on slavery as they distinguish between primary and secondary sources regarding the same events.

Seventh graders explore Fort St. Louis. In this Texas history lesson, 7th graders research Internet and print sources regarding the history of fort and the settlement. Students use their research findings to create illustrated books...

Students identify legends in Tennessee and U.S. history, and differentiate between primary and secondary sources. They list examples of primary and secondary sources, participate in a field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and...

Students sort documents into primary and secondary sources and analyze their reliability. In this history research lesson plan, the teacher gathers a selection of document images, then discusses primary and secondary sources and their...

Students examine the difference between primary and secondary sources by examining the journal of Cabeza de Vaca and creating a poster about the Coahuitecan Indian groups. They portray a scene of the groups in 16th Century south Texas.

Students examine and discuss the differences between primary and secondary sources. They brainstorm examples of each, locate examples of primary and secondary sources on the Internet, and identify three primary sources from home.

Sixth graders investigate the Gulf War using primary and secondary sources. Students research using a variety of sources including the internet.

Class members participate in a series of hands on, online, and multimedia activities to identify the difference between primary and secondary sources. They watch a related video and visit a variety of sites to locate primary and...

Learners investigate and distinguish between primary and secondary sources when analyzing works of literature. They present their information on transparencies that are displayed to the class.