Teaching with Primary Sources

Reading and analyzing primary sources is a major component of the Common Core ELA Standards for Literacy in History-Social Studies. The following resource links provide access to key primary sources to support instruction in American history, civics, and economics.  

Using Maps as Primary Sources 

Library of Congress Map Analysis Tool

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/resources/Analyzing_Maps.pdf

Primary Source Map Sites

Abel Buell’s New and Correct Map of the United States of North America, 1784
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mapping-a-new-nation/

Library of Congress Maps Collections

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html  

Library of Congress Map Exhibits Search Results
http://www.loc.gov/search/?fa=digitized:true|partof:Exhibitions&q=Map

Library of Congress Primary Source Analysis Tools

            http://www.loc.gov/teachers/primary-source-analysis-tool/

Primary Source Resources

Early America

Exploring the Early Americas - Explorations and Encounters

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/exploring-the-early-americas/explorations-and-encounters.html

 

Exploring the Early Americas - Aftermath of the Encounter

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/exploring-the-early-americas/aftermath-of-the-encounter.html

 

The Constitution

Primary source set and teachers guide from the Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/constitution/

This is a Lesson from the National Archives for grades 4-12
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-workshop/index.html

 

The Civil War in America

“The Valley of the Shadow” website-Primary documents from two communities, one Northern and one Southern. Documents cover the period

from Fall 1859 to Fall 1870.

http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/

Economics

Primary Sources and More for Economics and the Federal Reserve

http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/

Images from Japanese American Internment Camps

This Calisphere site includes photographs, artwork, questions for students, and connection to standards.

http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/themed_collections/subtopic5e.html

Cold War – Cuban Missile Crisis

“To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” Exhibit at the National Archives site has TV footage of JFK and a mobile app for iPads with items from the exhibit.

http://www.archives.gov/nae/visit/gallery.html 

Civil Rights

The Civil Rights Movement as seen through California Photographers

http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/themed_collections/subtopic6a.html

 

Cartoon America

NARA’s cartoon analysis sheet
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/cartoon_analysis_worksheet.pdf

A good collection of cartoons for high school students from the Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/cartoonamerica/cartoon-political.html