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- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- State Standards:
- VS.a Synthesizing evidence from information sources
VS.c Developing questions, enhancing curiosity, and engaging in critical thinking and analysis
VS.e Comparing and contrasting historical, cultural, economic, and political perspectives
Essential Questions:
How can primary documents help you learn about the past?Objective:
In this ranger-led classroom program students use photographs from our park archives to do primary source analysis. Students are guided through an inquiry-based activity in which students will explore a photo of their choosing to form observations, questions, and reflections.Teacher Information:
This program focuses on photo analysis. Students will be asked to make observations, ask questions, and reflect on the photo of their choosing. Photos students analyze were taken between the 1860s through the 1890s. Most of the photos used are people with ties to the Shenandoah Valley, or the Battle of Cedar Creek including soldiers and civillians.Preparation:
This program is designed to be presented on-site at a school classroom, library, or community space. Program duration is 30 minutes to 1 hour. Park rangers will need access to a computer monitor or smart board to display a powerpoint slideshow. Students will need writing utensils and a place write for the photo analysis.Program Details:
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Introduction
Slideshow presentation to introduce the mission statement of the National Park Service and Cedar Creek and Belle Grove NHP. Many people who work for the National Park Service are interested in learning about history to help make a better future. What do historians do?
Civil War Recap
Following Virginia state standards, park rangers will assist educators in teaching students about how slavery was the cause of the Civil War. A brief discussion about how we know what the Civil War was like and why the Shenandoah Valley was important to both the United States and the Confederacy.
Primary Document Analysis
The purpose of this activity is to look at primary sources to be able to give context to and connect with past events and people. Students will be given a worksheet to help them analyze the Civil War era photographs. Students will be able to choose an image that intigues them the most. A park ranger will then facilitate a classroom discussion using the student's analysis.
Conclusion
What is it like to be a historian today?
Why do you think this type of work is important?
What is something that you learned about the Civil War that you did not know before?
Last updated: March 27, 2025