Primary Sources

Interactive Historical Thinking Poster (Elementary):

Doing History is Like Solving a Mystery!

Interactive Historical Thinking Poster (Secondary):

History is An Argument About the Past

Video: Primary & Secondary Sources Explained by Common Craft

Analyzing primary sources is a great way to help students activate background knowledge. This can be done in science and language arts classes, not just in social studies. The National Archives and the Library of Congress are only two places where teachers and students can find primary sources online. In a hurry? try the LOC's American Memory Project - collections are already grouped by era, or try the Online Exhibitions from the Digital Public Library of America.

America in Class from the National Humanities Center

LOC Primary Source Teacher's Guides

LOC Primary Source Analysis Tool (PDF)

NARA: DocsTeach

NARA: Teaching with Documents Lesson Plans

Smithsonian Institute's History Explorer Teacher Resources

Advertisements from an era can show cultural attitudes of the time. Check out Ad Flip and Gender Ads.

Looking for political advertisements? Explore The Living Room Candidate and The :30 Second Candidate.

Having students analyze a photograph or other image? Use a See-Think-Wonder Chart:

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