Primary Sources

A Study of Original and Authentic Sources in the Secondary Education Classroom

By James BeidlerAnd

Robert McCarthy

Primary Whats? Original source

A picture, a work of fiction, a leaf, a hand-written document

Lacks interpretations May contain some bias, but much less

than others Not commentary or even a photo of the

primary source(http://library.uncw.edu/guides/primary_

secondary_and_tertiary_sources)

Contextually Appropriate Research projects! Experiential learning Interpreting history Cross-curricular connections

A novel to actual history Teaching how to think(http://library.mtsu.edu/tps/about.php)

Benefits Validates lesson through real connection Allows students to draw own conclusions Teaches how to seek truth Promotes media literacy Teaches how to think

Modern Skills Media literacy! Research methods for digitized documents How to approach world with less bias

Improve understanding for others with different viewpoints

Example 1 Use primary sources to develop a history

of a technology that does some kind of physical work or aids in work.

Document the thought processes that were used by the inventors (every technology has more than one) using these sources.

Explain how the final product was produced using any mathematical formulas or patent literature developed.

The Diesel Engine The patent

application shows compression/temperature curves

Diagrams show a device injecting fuel into a container

US Patent 542846 and US Patent 608845

More Diesel The Theory and

Construction of a Rational Heat Engine acts as a primary source to explain Diesel's thought process

Even More Diesel The Theory and Construction states that it

is a response to the inefficient steam engine

Follow-up patent application shows that the diesel engine was improved to produce more power and become more efficient

No equations derived, pressure equations used

RubricRequirement Description Feedback

15

45

Logic 15

Final Product 15

10

Potential Points

Earned Points

Primary Sources

At least three correctly identified and appropriately used primary sources

Historical Context

Approximately three page description of historical context and the history of developmentExplanation of logical processes used in developing this technologyExplanation of the final product in terms of equations and laws of physics

Writing and Formatting

Proper format for citations; proper grammar, spelling, and formatting

Student ExampleDescription Feedback

15 10

45 43

15 12

15 12

10 10

Potential Points

Earned Points

At least three correctly identified and appropriately used primary sources

Very good primary sources, although only two identified

Approximately three page description of historical context and the history of development

Complete and interesting history, good choice of topic

Explanation of logical processes used in developing this technology

The logic is there, but it is lacking in completeness. How would you go through this process?

Explanation of the final product in terms of equations and laws of physics

Overall good, please show the equations themselves and how they fit

Proper format for citations; proper grammar, spelling, and formatting

Great formatting and grammar

Example 2

-“If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

---Confucius-What is the central thesis of this quote?-Do you agree with what Confucius is

saying? Why or why not?

Example 3-Auschwitz primary source reading and

questions.-Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf primary source

reading and questions.

I will have them read the primary source and then we will answer the questions together.

Or

I will read the primary source with the students and have them answer the questions. I will grade them and return them the following day.

Math Example`Whoever thinks algebra is a trick in obtaining unknowns

has thought it in vain. No attention should be paid to the fact that algebra and geometry are different in appearance. Algebras are geometric facts which are proved.'' – Omar Khayyam

Have students select an early mathematician credited with developing an original form of mathematics.

Using primary sources, the student should reproduce the process of discovery that the mathematician went through. Each student will have a chance to present these processes.

The discovery approach

(http://isis.nmsu.edu/~history/masterpieces/

masterpieces.html)

Questions? What are some ways that you could use

primary sources from an interdisciplinary approach?

How will drive home the difference between primary and other sources?

How will you address issues of bias in sources?

How will you address issues of plagiarism when using any sources?

Where might an activity with primary resources best fit in your lesson plan?

Resources General

– http://www.archives.gov/education/index.html

– http://library.uncw.edu/guides/primary_secondary_and_tertiary_sources

– https://tpsfoundations.pbworks.com/w/page/26415575/TPS-Foundations

Science and Math– http://www3.wooster.edu/library/sciref/Tut

or/EvSciInfo/primary.php– http://library.mtsu.edu/tps/newsletters.php

History and English– http://www.youthsource.ab.ca/teacher_res

ources/ps_lesson1.html– http://www.footnote.com/

www.historychannel.com Holocaust PicturesSpielvogel, J. Jackson, PH.D. World History

McGraw Hill/Glencoe. New York, New York. 2008.