Teaching with Primary Sources Workshop
Scott M. Waring, Ph.D.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida, United States of America
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1. Introducing and Defining Primary and Secondary Sources
​      (Where are Primary Sources in Our Own Lives?)

• Discuss the Leaving Evidence of Our Lives (PDB) lesson and determine what are primary and secondary sources (Tertiary Sources)?
• ALWAYS REMEMBER - "What is your question?"

2. Using Primary and Secondary Sources to Learn Something New

• Word for the day - Tailgating 
• What does "Tailgating" mean?

             - Tailgating on the highway
             - Pickup Truck Tailgate
             - College Football Stadiums  
             - America's "favorite pastime"
             - University of Central Florida

3. Using Primary and Secondary Sources to Question Our "Understanding"

• Why do Americans celebrate the Fourth of July?
  • Trumbull Painting (Information)
    • Independence Hall
  • Committee of Five
  • Dunlap Broadside
  • Engrossed Declaration of Independence (National Archives)
  • Jefferson's "original Rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence, written in June 1776, including all the changes made later by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and other members of the committee, and by Congress
  • Letter
    
    
  • Why did we just talk about this? 
  • What was my rationale? 
  • WHY?

4. Analyzing Sources at a Novice or Introductory Level
      (Use photograph and something for which learners have schema developed)

• Library of Congress - Primary Sources Analysis Tool and Teacher's Guides to Analysis
• Classroom image
  • ​Bibliographic Information

5. Wineburg Model (Sourcing, Contextualization, Close Reading, and Corroboration)

• Sourcing
• Contextualization
• Close Reading
• Corroboration

6. Critical Analysis and Higher Level Thinking
     (Use a variety of sources and ones with greater levels of complexity)

• Document Analysis Worksheets (Remember to choose an analysis sheet appropriate for the level that you will teach)
  • Written Document

7. How Primary Sources are Integral to the Construction of Narratives
     (Book Backdrops - Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers by Karen Winnick)

• While the story is read, brainstorm a list of dates, people, and/or events that might have primary source connections to the book.
• Students would write down any and all primary sources that they would want (even if not really realistic - like speaking with someone who passed away one hundred and fifty years ago)
• Typically, you would allow students to share the lists in small groups and then create a whole class list.

8. Higher Level Critical Thinking
     (Not just a DBQ!)

•  SOURCES Framework for Teaching with Primary and Secondary Sources 

9. Authentic Historical Inquiry
     (The power of primary sources!)

• What would historians write about Thomas Garber?

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