Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and evaluate the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process.

Materials and Prep

• Computer with internet access
• Pen and paper

No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.

Activities

• Source Scavenger Hunt: Search online for historical sources related to a specific event. Evaluate the credibility and bias of each source.
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Learn the difference between primary and secondary sources by analyzing examples and discussing their importance in historical research.
• Source Reliability Game: Play a game where you assess the reliability of different historical sources based on their content and context.

Talking Points

• Understanding Sources: "Historical sources are like clues that help us piece together the past. They can be documents, artifacts, or even oral histories."
• Primary vs. Secondary: "Primary sources are firsthand accounts or original documents from the time period, while secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources."
• Evaluating Bias: "It's important to consider the author's perspective and purpose when evaluating a source. Bias can affect how information is presented."
• Reliability Check: "Reliability means how trustworthy a source is. Look for corroborating evidence and consider the context in which the source was created."