Other
Do History: Using Primary Sources
This site explains the difference between a primary and secondary source. It also provides students with questions to ask when gathering evidence about a primary source document.
Library and Archives Canada
Nlc: Defining Primary and Secondary Sources
Libraries and archives hold documents and books that can be used for your research projects. Learn how to divide and identify them into primary and secondary sources in this tutorial.
Stanford University
Beyond the Bubble: History Assessments
[Free Registration/Login Required] A collection of innovative assessments, interactive rubrics, and annotated samples of student work with an emphasis on primary source documents for the use in a wide range of history concepts.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Pocahontas
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation, students use evidence to explore whether Pocahontas actually saved John Smith's life and...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based: Reading Like a Historian: Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. For this investigation students weigh contrasting interpretations by prominent historians to answer the question: Why...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Ibn Battuta
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson using primary resources on Ibn Battuta includes lesson plan, PowerPoint, graphic organizer, and original documents.
PBS
Pbs: Interview With Geneva Overholser
This site is provided for by PBS. An interview with Geneva Overholser, former editor of The Des Moines Register, who led the paper to a Pulitzer Prize for public service. Frank discussion about the state of the profession, using...
Stanford University
Beyond the Bubble: Opposition to the Philippine American War
[Free Registration/Login Required] Assesses students' ability to use evidence to support a historical argument. Students are presented with two documents that provide different perspectives on the war in the Philippines. Students are...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Salem Witch Trials
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students to use four historical sources to build a more textured...
Other
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum: Herbert Hoover: Gram's Trunk
A lesson in how to conduct historical research using family photos and doing interviews, and newspaper stories from the past. The second part of the lesson is a photo analysis exercise using a photo of children and a cow.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Election Central 2016: Elections Throughout History
This link from the Election Central 2016 website focuses on elections throughout history with the use of primary source documents such as campaign posters, newspaper headlines, and video clips from various Presidential elections...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Voting Rights Act of 1965
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Set includes an overview, primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide.
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: Teaching With the News: Debating u.s. Drone Policy
Comprehensive learning module from which students use multi-media resources, including video, graphic organizers and primary source material, to explore U.S. policy and the use of drones. Cooperative and independent learning features.
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
History Is Fun: Jamestown: Lesson Plan: How Do We Know What We Know?
This cross curriculum lesson plan encourages independent thought and investigation as students examine images related to the cultures that combined at Jamestown settlement. Encourages the use of art to understand history. An informative...
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Electricity
Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is a secondary energy source which means that we get it from the conversion of other sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power and other natural sources, which...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Apollo Soyuz: Space Age Detente
In July 1975, the first joint Soviet-American spacecraft docking took place. In this activity, students will analyze the way that government officials in both the United States and the Soviet Union valued space exploration for more than...
National Archives (UK)
What Happened in the Fire of London?
A great lesson plan on the use of primary documents focusing on the "Great Fire" in London, England which occurred in 1666. There are actual copies of such documents as maps, lists of people living on the street where the fire started...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: American Imperialism: The Spanish American War
This primary set uses photographs, letters, posters, and publications to explore the Spanish-American War. Review the sources in this set to gain insight into the motivations for US engagement. Includes teaching guide.