Exploring Primary Sources
Ignite a passion for social studies with authentic primary sources that provide a comprehensive understanding of historical events.
Bring social studies to life through primary sources such as maps, letters, photographs, political cartoons, and more. Exploring Primary Sources was developed by Teacher Created Materials to help teachers integrate engaging, authentic, historically accurate resources into the classroom that stand out against the normal backdrop of textbooks and worksheets. A focus on inquiry-based learning, increased rigor, and new technology captures students’ curiosity about the past as they naturally begin to use critical thinking to analyze historical events.
Overview
Encourage students to go beyond the textbook and become active learners to promote civic thinking in a culturally diverse world.
- Help students develop a deeper understanding of historical concepts with authentic primary source cards and reproductions
- Deliver research-based instruction with lesson plans that include historical background information for each primary source
- Easily implement with fact-checked, historically accurate content, discussion questions, and included correlations
- Prepare students for testing with document-based assessments and extension activities
- Create a blended learning environment with digital resources such as additional primary sources and student reproducibles
- Our 2nd Edition kits also feature:
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- Culminating activities including Project-Based Learning
- Technology extension activities relevant to today’s learners
- Leveled historical background pages for diverse readers
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Visual Resources
- Digital primary sources to promote exploration and independent discovery.
- Includes digital copies of all primary source reproductions and primary source cards to bring history to life. Incorporates print and digital versions of student reproducibles for accessible lessons for in-person and distanced learning.
Teacher's Guide
- The Teacher's Guide provides extensive details about each component in the kit making it a comprehensive social studies program.
- Well-organized, easy-to-use lessons and document-based assessments lay the foundation for an active learning environment. Includes a lesson plan for each Primary Source Card and Primary Source Reproduction.
- Offers document-based assessments and extension activities for a streamlined curriculum for teacher implementation
- Builds social studies content-area literacy by integrating primary sources.
- Meets NCSS, WIDA/TESOL, McREL standards and C3 Framework standards.
8 Photo Cards
- Make social studies content accessible and engaging to students with the photo cards in each Primary Sources kit.
- Provide historical background for immediate historical context on the maps, letters, photographs, and political cartoons, photographs, and more.
- Include questions and activities designed to help students analyze what they see and learn.
- Extend the learning experience through focused writing activities
8 Primary Sources
- Primary sources breathe life into history and capture students' curiosity about past events.
- Provide students with a deeper and more comprehensive view of historical events through maps, letters, photographs, political cartoons, and more! Facilitate opportunities for students to compare and contrast information, study multiple perspectives, determine validity of sources, and look at current issues through a historical lens. Give students the opportunity to participate in the constructive part of history.
Student Engagement
- Focuses on inquiry-based learning and increased rigor to prompt students to think critically.
- Encourages students to consider and develop multiple points of view to foster tolerance and compassion.
- Captures and fuels students' curiosity about the past and the people and events who shaped it. Offers a comprehensive understanding of historical events through authentic primary sources.
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Primary Sources Sample Pages
Want to see all the great resources that are included with this product?
This sample includes the following:
- lessons
- activity pages
- teacher's guide pages
- and more!
Product items
Related links
Correlations to National, State, and Province Standards
Primary Sources WIDA Correlations
AEP Distinguished Achievement Award Winner