Primary Documents Microteach

Jonathan K.
Angelica C.
America History: Grade 9
Analyzing Primary Source Documents
SSHS-S1C1-05
Objective: The students will evaluate primary sources for bias and historical values by assessing
authors main points and perspective.
Standards:
American History, Concept 1, PO5
Evaluate Primary and Secondary sources for:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Authors main points

Purpose and perspective
Facts vs. opinions
Different points of view on the same historical event
Credibility and validity

Anticipatory Set:
Recall when we learned the difference between a primary and secondary source documents.
Brainstorm examples of primary and secondary source documents and share them with the class.
Today we re going to learn about how to extract important contextual information from a
primary source document.
Information
Students will locate their Thursday Partner as designated on their Day Partner sheet and will be
given one minute to find their partner and take a seat alongside them at a table. After 1 minute
students will be given the auditory signal of eyes n me and will wait for further instructions.
Students will be shown a projection of a primary document and the instructor will identify key
features of the text (Author, context, bias, and purpose). A second projection will then be

displayed and students will be given a short period to read the text with and with their partner
identify key features. Students will then be called upon at random to provide their answers.
When understanding has been demonstrated students will, in partners, be given a worksheet with
a short text and questions about said text. They will be given 7 minutes to read the text and
answer the questions on the worksheet, switching between group members with each question.
When time has elapsed the auditory signal for silence will be given and students will cease work
and prepare for the class review and discussion.
Check for Understanding
How will you find your partner?
How long will you have to complete your work?
What is a primary source document?
What is a secondary source document?
Closure
Students will be called upon at random to identify the answers that they wrote on their
worksheets as well as other key information from the text that theyve read. What makes it a
primary document, and what the benefits of such a document are.
Exit ticket:
Students will hand in their worksheet with the names of each group member written at
the top.
Materials Needed:
Projector
Pen or Pencil
Worksheet