2. Participants will:
• Discern the difference between primary and
secondary sources
• Apply the definition of a primary source to a
selection of sources
Learning Objectives
3. In small groups:
• Sort the pile of resources into two piles
1. Primary sources
2. Secondary sources
• Be able to justify why an item should be in
one pile or the other.
– Record your justifications on sticky notes and
attach to each source
Sort
4. Choose one item from the “uncertain” pile:
• Select a spokesperson;
• Show item; and,
• Tell why that item was difficult to classify.
Discussion
5. Primary sources are the raw materials of history
— original documents and objects which were
created at the time under study.
They are different from secondary sources,
accounts or interpretations of events created by
someone without firsthand experience.
What are Primary Sources?
Consider the possibility that a source
might be primary or secondary,
based on the time or topic under study.
6.
7.
8.
9. What do you need to know to determine if a source
is primary or secondary?
Discussion
10. Why is it important for you as the teacher
to know how to tell the difference between
primary and secondary sources?
Why is it important for students?
Discussion
