Using Primary Sources
Aligned to C3.D3.1 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
A primary source is made by someone who was there at the time, like a letter, diary, or photograph. A secondary source is made later by someone studying the event, like a textbook. Primary sources give us clues straight from the past.
Worked example
The original Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776, is a primary source because the people of that time actually wrote and signed it. A book written today explaining what it means is a secondary source.
Practice questions
- Give one example of a primary source.
- Explain the difference between a primary source and a secondary source.
- Analyze why a diary written during an event might give different information than a textbook written many years later.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
El uso de fuentes primarias
Una fuente primaria la crea alguien que estuvo presente en ese momento, como una carta, un diario o una fotografía. Una fuente secundaria la crea más tarde alguien que estudia el suceso, como un libro de texto. Las fuentes primarias nos dan pistas directamente del pasado.
Ejemplo: La Declaración de Independencia original, firmada en 1776, es una fuente primaria porque las personas de esa época realmente la escribieron y la firmaron. Un libro escrito hoy que explica lo que significa es una fuente secundaria.
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