Using Primary Sources
Document Analysis Worksheets
The following document analysis worksheets were designed and developed by the Education Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Making Sense of Maps
Making Sense of Maps offers a place for students and teachers to begin working with maps as historical evidence.
Teaching With Textbooks
Opening Up the Textbook
Interested in using your textbook to engage students in close reading and analysis?
Examples of Historical Thinking
An Introduction to Historical Thinking and Reading
For an introduction to the ways that historians read and question sources to piece together our past, see this flash movie titled, Why Historical Thinking Matters.
Sourcing a Primary Document in Historical Thinking Matters
To see sourcing in action, watch how this historian begins to read a document about the Scopes Trial.
Examples of Teaching
Teaching Historical Context Before and During Role-playing Activities
Planning a role-playing activity in your classroom? Visit this website to see how a 5th grade teacher teaches historical context before and during role-playing activities.
Using Maps as Primary Sources
Wondering how to encourage and support student analysis of maps? Watch this 4th grade teacher in action to see how she engages students in analyzing a primary source while tying it into larger curricular issues and topics.
