Using Volunteer Voices in the Classroom
What are Primary Sources?
Primary sources are original historical items that have survived from a previous time period. Examples include historical maps, letters, diaries, pictures, paintings, material culture (such as clothing, furniture, toys, etc.), public documents, audio and video (oral histories), historical music scores, etc.
These should not be confused with secondary sources which are sources written about or in response to something from a particular time period. Secondary sources interpret the evidence of primary sources. Examples of these would be reference books, encyclopedias, magazines, articles, textbooks, etc.
Why should I Use Primary Sources?
- They make history come alive in our classrooms.
- Primary sources increase students’ interest and awareness of historical events and time periods.
- They improve students’ ability to analyze literature and documents.
- Using primary sources helps students to develop critical thinking skills – compare/contrast; find contradictions; understand point of view, etc.
- They help students personally relate to historical events and people.
- Students become researchers and historians.
- Students develop pride in their own historical heritage.
- You can use primary sources to address the formal process standards in the Tennessee social studies curriculum.
Lesson Plans and Resources on Identifying and Using Primary Sources
For Teachers:
- Introducing Primary Sources
- What are Primary Sources? – The Learning Page (Library of Congress)
- Primary and Secondary Sources – CBB Library and IT Consortium
- Teaching in 3-D
For Students:
- A Lesson on Primary Sources - The Learning Page (Library of Congress)
- Photographs: A Process Guide for Students
- Primary Sources: A Process Guide for Students
- Reading Primary Sources: An Introduction for Students