Artifacts and Primary Sources

1. Artifacts and Primary Sources By Amy Peck, Cristy Padden, Chris Smith, and Erin Jung

2. What is An Artifact/Primary Source? • Original documents (or copies) • Actual or replicas of historical objects • Any firsthand account that was recorded in some manner by a person taking part in or witnessing an event

3. Where can teachers (and/or students) find primary sources and artifacts? Internet (teacher should check in advance for validity of source) Local Government Offices Newspaper Archives Speeches Diaries Cemeteries Schools Hospitals Court Houses Local Business Flea Markets and Antique Shops Library Museums Guest Speakers Videos (Check for validity of source) Art, Photographs Music Dig em’ up  (word)

4. Use Primary Sources To… • Inspire student interest and promote questioning. • Bring history to life. • Reinforce knowledge about important persons, events, laws, institutions, and problems. • Help students to gain first-hand knowledge of significant documents. • Develop habits of critical reading and thinking.

5. How should teachers and students process primary sources? • Look at primary sources critically, noting that they are biased and written from only one point of view. • Focus students on specific details you wish for them to research. • Locate numerous primary sources for a well rounded interpretation of events. • Teach students to summarize to facilitate comparing and contrasting information from various sources. • Examine object closely, determine use. • Determine whether object is an original or a replica.

6. What are some specific primary sources/artifacts for each grade levels? • K-2: The Pledge of Allegiance, Songs, Art, Neighborhood Maps, and Speeches/presentations by Community Workers • 3-4: California Maps, Mission Artifacts (Clara Barton’s Doll), Gold Rush Documents • 5-6: Government Documents, Maps of world/US, Immigration Documents, Greek Mythology (statues/art), Accounts of War (journals, letters, poems), Explorer Maps, Flags

7. Are primary sources/artifacts used differently at primary grades compared to upper grades? • Upper grades have the ability to discriminate between sources and compare/contrast different sources. Students in the upper grades are at the developmental level where they can begin to understand the difference between primary and secondary sources and are able to analyze differences in point of view. The lower grades need more guidance and the activities must be abbreviated and include more hands on experiences. The lower grades are not able to read at the level many primary sources require.

8. How can technology support social studies curriculum? • The internet is a valuable tool for finding primary sources. A webquest can help students focus in on specific sights the teacher has located. Students can view artifacts/documents that are not otherwise accessible. The internet makes many sources accessible if the school’s collection is lacking or insufficient. Slide shows can be viewed to show artifacts. Students can compare and contrast primary sources and display their findings in a power point presentation—Just like us! 

9. Advantages and Disadvantages to Primary Sources and Artifacts Strengths/Advantages: Promotes Critical thinking Addresses numerous learning styles Engaging Gives students many perspectives on historical events Lends itself to cooperative learning Integrates Art, Literature, Social Studies, Music Limitations/Disadvantages Lots of Lesson Planning Required Need to assess validity of source Reading Level is High Takes More Time to Analyze many sources Artifacts are delicate and hard to come by Weight of Artifacts—Like the Drummer-Lady Statue!