Are We There Yet?

Introducing History to

Third Graders

by Mary L. Mann

Summer Fellowship 2006

Champaign County Historical Archives

 

To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.
Abstract:
Most third graders arrive in the classroom having limited experience with the study of history.  This unit is intended to provide a framework in which they investigate primary sources and the evidence for historical events through the examination and analysis of written documents, photographs and artifacts.  

Essential Questions:
Who is part of history? 
How do we get to the past?
Where is the evidence for events in the past?
How do we use evidence to investigate history?

Goal: 
Students will analyze and make observations of written documents, photographs and artifacts as evidence for events in the past, following guidelines from worksheets adapted from the National Archives and Records Administration.  At the end of the unit students will make an authentic inquiry into their own histories through an analysis of written documents, photographs and artifacts from their own lives.

Objectives:
Students will be able to:
- define primary sources
- investigate evidence of past events through analysis of written documents, photographs and artifacts
- develop vocabulary in context

Internet Resources Related to This Lesson

 

Other Materials

 

Lesson 1: 

Introduction--Brainstorming Ideas About History

 

Lesson 2:

Identifying the “Evidence” for Events

 

Lesson 3:

Defining Primary Sources

Analyzing Written Documents

 

Lesson Four:

Analyzing Photographs

 

Lesson Five: 

Analyzing Artifacts

 

Lesson Six:

Culminating Activity

 

Assessment: 
Use expectations as outlined for Analysis Worksheets for Artifact, Photo, and Written Document

 Extended Activity:
*Read Sarah, Plain and Tall

*Reread “Westward I Go Free”

*Compare/Contrast the two stories using Venn Diagram