K20 LEARN
Learning About The Past: Comparing Primary And Secondary Sources
Scholars find out how primary and secondary sources help us learn the past. Beginning with an anchor chart, class members discuss and write the differences between primary and secondary sources; a card sort is added to the anchor chart...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
"I have here in my hand . . ." The war against Communism and Joseph McCarthy’s place in it are the focus of a series of lessons examining postwar America from 1945-1954. Joseph McCarthy takes center stage in this, the final lesson...
Curated OER
Worksheet for Analysis of a Written Document
For this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 16 short answer questions that require them to analyze the provided historical document.
Curated OER
Document Based Essay Question: World War II
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students examine 4 documents from World War II and then respond to the essay questions that accompany each of them.
Curated OER
Worksheet for Analysis of a Motion Picture
In this primary source analysis instructional activity, high schoolers respond to 14 short answer questions that require them to analyze the motion picture of their choice.
Curated OER
Chart of the Voyages of the Slave Ship Brookes
In this primary source analysis activity, students analyze the chart of voyages for the slave ship Brookes. Students respond to 2 short answer questions based on the information in the chart.
Curated OER
Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507
Middle schoolers take a closer look at historical maps. In this primary source analysis lesson, students examine the first world map produced by Martin Waldseemuller. Middle schoolers complete the included map analysis worksheet and then...
Curated OER
James Hopkinson's Plantation. Planting Sweet Potatoes
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze the photograph that features freedmen planting sweet potatoes. Students respond to 1 short answer question about the photograph.
Curated OER
A "CCC Youth Refuses to Fan Flies Off Officer"
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze a historical article about a CCC youth who was dishonorably discharged. Students then respond to 3 short answer questions about the photograph.
Curated OER
A Utah Observer Praises the CCC
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students examine a letter from to a Civilian Conservation Corps recruitment center. Students respond to 3 short answer questions based on the content of the letter.
Curated OER
Corrido of the Uprooted Ones
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze the song "Corrido of the Uprooted Ones." Students respond to 3 short answer questions about the lyrics of the song.
Curated OER
A Bracero Remembers Working Near Chicago
In this primary source analysis learning exercise, students analyze an interview with a bracero who describes his memories of working near Chicago. Students respond to 3 short answer questions based on the interview.
Curated OER
A Bracero Protests Low Pay and Discrimination
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze an interview with a bracero. Students respond to 3 short answer questions based on the interview.
Curated OER
A Bracero Enters the United States
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze an interview with a bracero who entered the U.S. as an illegal worker and then became a bracero. Students respond to 3 short answer questions based on the interview.
Curated OER
A Bracero Describes Work in New Mexico
For this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze an interview with a bracero whose boss tried to take his money. Students respond to 3 short answer questions based on the interview.
Curated OER
A Bracero Compares Expectations versus Reality of Life in the United States
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze an interview with a bracero who describes the expectations and realities of life in the United States. Students respond to 3 short answer questions based on the...
Curated OER
President Hoover Encourages Private Charity
In this primary source analysis learning exercise, students analyze a letter from Herbert Hoover to a little girl collecting donations to help those in need during the Great Depression. Students respond to 7 short answer questions about...
Curated OER
Workers leaving Pennsylvania shipyards, Beaumont, Texas
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze an image of workers leaving the Pennsylvania shipyards in Texas. Students respond to 1 short answer question based on the provided source.
Briscoe Center for American History
Mary Maverick and Texas History - Part 1
What's the difference between a diary and a memoir? Young historians explore the ramifications of this question as they learn how to use primary source materials to gain an understanding of life on the Texas frontier.
Curated OER
How Do We Know About People From The Past?
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...
Humanities Texas
A President's Vision: Theodore Roosevelt
Through an engaging, interactive experience analyzing primary sources, invite your young historians to take a closer look at the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.
Ford's Theatre
How Perspective Shapes Understanding of History
The Boston Massacre may be an iconic event in American history, but perhaps the British soldiers had another point of view. Using primary sources, including reports from Boston newspapers and secondary sources from the British...
Humanities Texas
Primary Source Worksheet: “Report on Manufacturers,” Annals of Congress
Invite your learners to take a look at life during the term of United States president George Washington through analysis of an interesting primary source. The document summarizes American manufacturing capacities, as detailed...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Creation of the Bill of Rights: “Retouching the Canvas”
While the Constitutional Convention lay the foundation of the new government for the United States, the protections given under the Bill of Rights were controversial. Using documents, such as James Madison's and Thomas Jefferson's...