In the fall, I took a deeper dive into Primary Sources on live streaming! Primary Sources include photos, letters, paintings, diary entries, newspaper articles, recipes, important documents, and more from the time period. How powerful to teach history by actually using the words and images of people who lived through the event! Analyzing these documents facilitates developing those inquiry and critical thinking skills that are an essential part of Social Studies. It also opens up the gateway for a discussion on credible sources and bias.
In my videos, I offered suggestions for a wide range of ages. You don’t have to wait until kids are in upper grades. Start with photos for younger kiddos and have them give you descriptive words. I often used primary source photos or documents as lesson hooks. I know it’s cliche but a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
There are many great websites that enable educators to easily find primary sources! Many of the sites even give you lesson plans! The Presidential Libraries have been one of my best finds ever for teaching Social Studies. Check out this post about some of my favorite sites because I mention several: Six Sensational Sites

 

Are you in my Social Studies Facebook group? Check out my Facebook Live broadcast replays there or on The Social Studies Whisperer page! I always give different information on Periscope and FB Live. I gave even more ideas for Primary Sources there! Click on the picture to join the group!
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