Last updated: June 4, 2023
Lesson Plan
Why People Move: Introduction to Using Primary Sources (Grades 3-5) Lesson 3 of 3 Carl Sandburg Home NHS
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- State Standards:
- North Carolina 4th and 5th Grade Social Studies Standards
I.1.7
I.1.8
I.1.9
I.1.10
4.H.1.5
4.H.1.6
5.H.1.5
5.H.1.6 - Additional Standards:
- National Themes
Theme 2 - Thinking Skills:
- Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
What are primary sources & secondary sources?
How can they help with understanding parts of the history of North Carolina?
Objective
I can explain what primary and secondary sources are.
I can explain how primary and secondary sources help me to understand historical events.
Background
This lesson is the last of three that are intended to help students understand the different types of human migration and how it impacted the roles of different minority groups. In this lesson, students will look at primary and secondary sources to compare historical events. Students will learn about people associated with the Carl Sandburg Home using primary and secondary sources.
Preparation
Prepare for this lesson by opening the materials tab and uploading the PowerPoint Presentation. Teachers can print the Source Observation and Exit Ticket for students to fill in with a pencil, or it can be shared and filled in digitally.
Extension activity materials are optional and include: Construction paper,
cardstock, paper, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, cups, cardboard, duct tape. Encourage students to bring in crafting supplies (Cardboard, newspapers, twist-ties, pipe cleaners, glue, tinfoil, sticks, etc.) for the activity
Materials
This Power Point can be uploaded in Google Drive/Classroom as a Google Slide for use in digital learning
Download Primary and Secondary Resources PowerPoint
This worksheet can be printed or used digitally, and is used a a learning tool iwth the PowerPoint presentation
Download Source Observations and Exit Ticket
Lesson Hook/Preview
(Activating Strategy)
Teachers will begin with Slide 2, How Do We Know? and encourage students to respond to the questions and consider where and how we collect historical information.
In response to the lesson hook discussion and ideas, move on to Slide 3, Sources!" and allow students to read bullet points.
Procedure
Teaching Strategy
Slide 4 “Have you ever heard of Carl Sandburg?” allow students to answer. Ask the students what the photo tells them about Carl Sandburg.
Slide 5. allow students to read aloud, indicate that the photo on this slide is Connemara. Ask the students, “Did the photo tell us this information about Mr. Sandburg?”
Slide 6, select a student reader for Slide 7 with the explanation and examples of Primary Sources.
Slide 7, remind students that Carl Sandburg was a poet, then use the link to YouTube for a recording of Carl Sandburg Reading one of his own poems, “Fog.” Ask the students, “Based on what we just learned about primary sources, why is this recording a primary source?” Once the question is answered, continue to Slide 8.
Slide 8, explain that the Carl Sandburg Home is a National Historic Site. Explain that the site has park rangers who research the Carl Sandburg’s life and the history of the property, which is much older than Mr. Sandburg. Because there is so much history and research, the National Park Service puts a great deal of the collected information on their website. Some of timelines and stories shared there are collected from many primary sources, making them secondary sources.
Slide 9 Encourage a student reader to read the slide aloud for the definition and examples of Secondary Source.
Slide 10, select the video image to link to YouTube for an educational video break on Primary and Secondary Sources.
Slide 11, have the students read the instructions for the class activity. Make sure students have their Source Observation sheets ready before doing the assessment activit. The teacher can decide if the activity should be completed in small groups or through individual work.
Slides 12-16 each display a single source with a brief caption about the sources’ relevance. On the Observation sheet students should write the name of the source, three observations about the source (What is photographed, when was it made, what do I learn about history from this, etc.) and decide whether the source is a primary or secondary source.
Slide 14, the volume icon is linked to a brief audio clip from the James Fisher Interview. The Transcription is included on the slide, encourage students to read along while listening.
Slide 15 provides a small challenge for the students. Have a student reader read the extra questions on the slide. If the students were not already in small groups, allow them to turn and talk about when this source is a primary source (when researching Carl Sandburg) and when it is a secondary source (when researching Abraham Lincoln). After a few minutes of discussion, ask for a raise of hands for answers. Let them know the correct answers and tell them to correct their observation sheets accordingly.
Slide 16 concludes the activity with a photograph and primary resource.
Assessment Activities (Summarizing Strategy)
Exit Ticket: Aha!/Huh? Have each student write down two things that they learned and two things that they still have questions about. This activity should be done independently.
STEM Challenge – Build Your Own Connemara. The activity is outlined on Slide 19 of the PowerPoint. Encourage students to bring in crafting supplies (Cardboard, newspapers, twist-ties, pipe cleaners, glue, tinfoil, sticks, etc.) for the activity. Have students work in groups.
After students complete the STEM Challenge allow each group to present their completed project to the class.
Extension Activities
STEM Challenge – Build Your Own Connemara. The activity is outlined on Slide 19 of the PowerPoint. Encourage students to bring in crafting supplies (Cardboard, newspapers, twist-ties, pipe cleaners, glue, tinfoil, sticks, etc.) for the activity. Have students work in groups.
After students complete the STEM Challenge allow each group to present their completed project to the class.
Vocabulary
Source- a thing that gives us information.
Primary Source - original objects or documents. These sources are as close as possible to the original person, event, or time period.
Secondary Source - summary of primary sources, a secondary source is not original. It gives information but is not first-hand evidence. A secondary source draw on other sources.
Dwelling - a place of residence, housing or a home.
Poet - a writer of poetry