Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to select and analyze historical sources to find information for a historical inquiry.
Materials and Prep
- Computer with internet access
- Pen and paper
- Historical documents or websites
- Interest in a specific historical event or person
Activities
1. Research Challenge: Choose a historical event or person that interests you. Use the internet to find different sources of information such as articles, videos, or primary documents.
2. Source Analysis: Select one source and analyze it. Identify the author, purpose, and bias of the source. Consider how reliable the information is and what it tells you about the historical event or person.
3. Compare and Contrast: Take two different sources about the same event or person. Compare and contrast the information they provide. Note any discrepancies or differing perspectives.
Talking Points
- Historical sources are materials that provide information about past events or people. They can include letters, diaries, newspapers, photographs, and more.
- When analyzing a source, consider who created it and why. Ask yourself if the author had a particular viewpoint or agenda.
- Primary sources are created at the time of the event, while secondary sources are created later by someone who did not experience the event firsthand.
- It's important to cross-reference information from different sources to get a more complete picture of the historical event or person.