Analyzing Primary Sources: Bloom’s Taxonomy Image Writing Prompts

Analyzing Primary Sources: Bloom’s Taxonomy Image Writing Prompts

Remembering List the different shapes you see. How many people do you see? How many __________ do you see? List all of the objects that start with the letter “___”. Circle all of the people with _______. List all of the __________ that you see. What makes them different or the same? Understanding Estimate how…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Maya Dresden Codex

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Maya Dresden Codex

Compare and contrast this image with the other codex images included in the Heavens and Time section of the Exploring the Early Americas online exhibition. What similarities and differences do you notice? Investigate a codex-style vase. What did you learn? Describe a new insight you gained about the image above or another codex image. The Dresden Codex is…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Indian Timothy Memorial Bridge

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Indian Timothy Memorial Bridge

The caption lists the date of creation of this photo to be 1993. Do you think the bridge was built around the same time as the photo was taken? Why or why not? Look carefully at details in the photograph and the bibliographic record. What purpose do you think this bridge serves? Can you find this…

Learning from the Source: Digital Stories of Our Heroes

Learning from the Source: Digital Stories of Our Heroes

Engage students with a real-world activity that has them learning about U.S. history while adding to the collective American memory. This project allows students to learn and use interview and digital presentation skills to discover, elicit, and relate the stories of local veterans and others who contributed during times of conflict. To complete this project,…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Doctor Fesler has arrived

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Doctor Fesler has arrived

Reverse Take a close look at the text features and illustrations on both sides of this leaflet. What information do you think the author wanted to highlight? What do you think readers would walk away remembering? Compare and contrast the information provided by the illustrations and bold text with the narrative text on the reverse side of…

Learning from the Source: Tactics in the March to Suffrage

Learning from the Source: Tactics in the March to Suffrage

Collective action can lead to change. “The basic functional requirements of a social movement,” according to Herbert W. Simons, Emeritus Professor of Communication, Temple University, “are an ability to mobilize human and material resources, to exert external influence, and to mount resistance to counter-pressures.” [1] In this primary source learning activity, students will examine the tactics supporters of…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Irishmen – Avenge the Lusitania

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Irishmen – Avenge the Lusitania

Use image and textual details to describe the purpose of this poster. Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to find out about the sinking of the Lusitania. What did you find out? What surprised you the most or had the biggest impact on you? The audience for this poster was the Irish—Irish men, in…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Poor Illinois!

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Poor Illinois!

Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about the Haymarket anarchists. Describe and explain something that you discovered. Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about Peter Altgeld. Describe and explain his relationship to the Haymarket anarchists. Read the story, “Bloody Battle at a Coal Mine” published…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Grand Canyon Tourist Map

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Grand Canyon Tourist Map

List the different data you find on this map (view larger image). Conduct research to compare the data from this map from 1977 with current information and statistics. What similarities and differences did you find? Investigate reasons for the change(s) in data; describe your findings. What other observations, reflections or questions does this source inspire? Let…

Learning from the Source: Close Reading in Service of a Cause

Learning from the Source: Close Reading in Service of a Cause

Activity overview Close reading is an opportunity to read and reread thoughtfully and with purpose. By breaking down the analysis of texts and other primary sources into distinct chunks, you can increase rigor and help students more easily climb the staircase of complexity required by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). In this primary source…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Red Flag or the Anarchists of Chicago

Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Red Flag or the Anarchists of Chicago

Using only specific details from this primary source, what type of person is an anarchist? Use the Primary Source Nexus search bar to find out more about the Chicago anarchists. Describe three things you learned and two things you would like to learn more about. There is a post on the Primary Source Nexus that features…

Learning from the Source: Monumental Men

Learning from the Source: Monumental Men

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt were monumental men who made significant contributions to the United States. Through the lens of both primary and secondary sources, students learn about the characters and contributions of these presidents and determine for themselves the qualities and accomplishments that make someone worthy of a lasting tribute. To…