Primary Sources
This is an original item created during the time being studied.
Give one simple example a student might find in a classroom.
Example: a photograph from the time, a letter, a diary, an interview, a map made then.
This type of source explains or teaches about events using information from primary sources.
What is it called?
A secondary source (examples: textbook, encyclopedia article, biography).
Name one technology tool students can use to find primary or secondary sources online. (Example: "search engine", "library website")
Examples: search engine (Google), online library catalog, digital archives, educational databases.
Which of the following is NOT a form of a primary source?
A. Written document
B. History Book
C. Photograph
D. Recording
B. History Book
A source that does not provide original information and is interpretations or explanations of primary sources.
Primary Source
Secondary Source
Archives
Artifact
Credible
Secondary Source
Name whether the following is a primary source:
a photograph taken at your school last year.
(Answer with "Yes" or "No".)
Yes. A photo taken at the time is a primary source.
True or False:
A textbook that tells about the American Revolution using quotes from letters is a secondary source.
True. Textbooks use primary sources to explain events and are secondary.
True or False:
It is okay to use any information you find online without checking where it came from.
False. Always check the source and trustworthiness.
What do secondary sources do?
A. Gather clues from primary sources
B. Provide original information
C. Witness important events
D. create artifacts
A. Gather clues from primary sources
A collection of historical documents or records.
Primary Source
Secondary Source
Archives
Artifact
Credible
Archives
Explain in one sentence why a diary written by someone who lived during an event is a primary source.
Because the diary was written by someone who lived through the event and gives firsthand information.
Give one example of a secondary source a student could use for a history report (name the type of source).
Example: a textbook chapter, encyclopedia entry, biography, or a teacher-created worksheet.
When using a website for a school project, list two things you should check to make sure the site is trustworthy (short answers).
Check who wrote it (author/organization) and when it was published; check if it cites sources or links to original documents.
Why is it important to use both primary and secondary sources in history?
A. to confuse historians
B. to avoid learning about historical events
C. to create fictional stories
D. to better understand important people and events in history.
D. to better understand important people and events in history.
Information that is able to be believed.
Primary Source
Secondary Source
Archives
Artifact
Credible
Credible
Which of these is most likely a primary source: a letter from a soldier, a textbook summary, or a museum article?
Choose one and say why in one sentence.
A letter from a soldier — it is created by someone who experienced the event.
Read this short description and say if it is primary or secondary:
"A magazine article written in 2020 that tells the story of a 1900s inventor using museum items and old letters." Explain your answer in one sentence.
Secondary — it was written later using museum items and old letters (those are primary).
Describe one safe way to save or bookmark a source you plan to use later for a report (one or two sentences).
Save the link in a bookmarked folder in the browser, or use a citation tool or screenshot and record the website and date accessed.
How can one determine the credibility of information found online?
A. by ignoring the author's qualifications
B. by checking the author's expertise and the publication date
C. by assuming all sources are reliable
D. by overlooking the reputation of the website
B. by checking the author's expertise and the publication date
An original material that provides direct evidence of an event or topic. It provides original information.
Primary Source
Secondary Source
Archives
Artifact
Credible
Primary Source
You find an old recipe card written by your great-grandparent with notes in their handwriting.
Describe two reasons this is useful as a primary source for learning about their life.
Reasons: shows the person's handwriting and personal details, gives direct evidence of their cooking, tastes, or daily life.
A student uses a video documentary, a teacher’s summary, and a photo from 1920 for a project. For each item, label it "Primary" or "Secondary" and give one short reason.
Video documentary: Secondary (uses primary sources to tell the story); teacher’s summary: Secondary; 1920 photo: Primary (created at the time).
A student finds a scanned handwritten letter on a library website, a teacher-made summary on a blog, and a short video by someone who was at the event. For each, say whether it is primary or secondary and name one technology tool or step the student should use to cite or save that source (one sentence each).
Scanned letter on library site: Primary; use the library's citation info or save the PDF and note the URL. Teacher-made blog summary: Secondary; save the URL and note the author and date. Short video by an eyewitness: Primary (if it is the person who was there); download or save the link and record the creator and date.
Why is examining the publication date important?
A. to see how outdated the source is
B. to determine if the author is credible
C. to understand the historical context
D. to ensure the information is current and reliable
D. to ensure the information is current and reliable