College Board
Evaluating Sources: How Credible Are They?
How can learners evaluate research sources for authority, accuracy, and credibility? By completing readings, discussions, and graphic organizers, scholars learn how to properly evaluate sources to find credible information. Additionally,...
Duke University
Duke University Libraries: Finding Primary Sources
Finding primary sources can be difficult and confusing at times. This site provides a list of history databases, rare books and manuscripts, and research guides for those looking for primary resources such as diaries, letters,...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian: Engaging Students With Primary Sources
This reference guide is designed to highlight the benefits of using primary source materials in any classroom and to provide the teacher with practical suggestions and examples of how to do this. It includes a bibliography and links to...
Library of Congress
Loc: Kindergarten Historians: Primary Sources in an Early
If you've ever wondered how early elementary students develop historical thinking skills, check out this lesson with a group of kindergarten students. The Class of 2025 demonstrated their educational readiness while engaged in analyzing...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Using Primary Sources
The Library of Congress provides teachers with a framework that will help integrate primary sources into all areas of the curriculum. Sections include "Why to Use Primary Sources," "Citing Primary Sources," and "Finding Primary Sources."
Other
Library of Congress: Teaching With Primary Sources
This website is an excellent resource for teaching with primary sources. This resource features Holocaust lessons, lesson plan strategies, and podcasts.
Utah Education Network
Uen: World War One Main Events Using Primary Sources
In this lesson, 5th graders will use primary sources to learn about World War I. Students will record their discoveries about World War I on a graphic organizer provided with the lesson.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Letters From Frontier: Primary Documents
George Catlin made extensive observations on the various native peoples that he encountered on his travels in the West. He recorded his experiences in letters and notes. These documents provide us with critical information on the culture...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Adah: Using Primary Sources in the Classroom: Slavery Unit
A website with lesson plans for various grade levels on slavery, using primary sources.
Library of Congress
Loc: Primary Source Set: Thanksgiving
Teaching guide that uses primary sources to cover the history, traditions, and events of the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Provides additional online resources.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Alexander Graham Bell Primary Source Activity
Eighth graders will critically examine primary sources to gain a better understanding of Alexander Graham Bell and the impact of his inventions.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Modern Youth
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Modern Faith
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: "Machine Age"
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Machine: Automobile
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Machine: Airplane
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Business
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Consumerism
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Crash
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Labor Union
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards historical documents, literary texts, and works of art thematically organized with notes and discussion questions....
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Using Primary Sources
This is an interdisciplinary inquiry-based lesson plan that focuses on critical thinking. Learners are introduced to the true story of the first Thanksgiving with the reading of a NCSS Notable Trade Book Thanksgiving: The True Story....
TES Global
Tes: Determining of Credibility of Online Sources
[Free Registration/Login Required] This free resource is a sheet that will help students assess the credibility of an online primary source or an online secondary source.
Curated OER
Mc Graw Hill: Compare Primary and Secondary Sources
Learn how to analyze and compare the relationship between a primary and a secondary source.
Library of Congress
Loc: Sourcing a Document: The First Thanksgiving
In this activity, students discuss the reliability of a painting of the First Thanksgiving to introduce the idea that is crucial to consider a source's date.