Checklist Activity

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is a focused activity designed to help students discern between primary and secondary sources. Titled “Is It a Primary Source?” the worksheet presents a list of different types of sources and asks students to put an X next to the ones they identify as primary. The sources listed include a range of documents and artifacts such as the Declaration of Independence, an original birth certificate, newspaper articles, the musical “Hamilton,” a diary, census data, photographs, and video of an event, among others. The variety of options challenges students to apply their knowledge of primary sources, which are original records or evidence created at the time an event occurred.

The bottom of the worksheet features a graphic of a figure surrounded by books, symbolizing the study and research of historical documents. This worksheet encourages students to actively engage with the material, providing a practical application of the definitions they have learned. Completing the worksheet will enhance students’ understanding of primary sources, which is a fundamental skill for conducting reliable and accurate historical research. This kind of exercise is invaluable in educational settings where critical thinking and analysis are key components of the curriculum.