Social Studies: Module 3, Section 4

Chronology

studies historical sources and records to establish a chronological timeline of past events

historiography

changing interpretations of history

Primary Source

• A first-hand account of an event or discovery

• Source communicates original research, thought, or opinion

Example of Sources:

• podcasts

• diaries

• census and statistics

• letters

• speeches

• photographs

• autobiographies

• Google Maps

• interviews

• artifacts 

Secondary Source

• Second-hand account of an event or topic

• Source provides analysis, discussion, or review of primary materials

Example of Sources:

• journal articles (reviews)

• newspaper articles

• books

• biographies

• paintings

• historical maps

Oral Histories

• Unwritten verbal accounts of an event

• Passed down from generation to generation 

Examples

• stories

• songs

• customs 

primary sources are:

first-hand accounts of an event, they only offer one perspective on a topic rather than serving as the authority.

Evaluating the credibility of sources includes the knowledge that primary sources aren’t always the most reliable. 

For example,

a historical hand-drawn map by a historic cartographer is not as accurate as a modern GIS, computer-drawn map.

Currency

When was this information published? Has it been updated? Is it still the most current concept in the field?

Relevance

Does this source relate to exactly what you need? Who is the intended audience? Is this the best source for your needs?

Authority

Is the author an expert in this field? Who are they? What are their credentials? Who sponsors them? 

Accuracy

Where does the information come from? Is there evidence? Is the evidence robust enough for the author to come to this conclusion? Has the information been verified by anyone else? Is the tone free of personal opinion?

Purpose

Why did the author write this? Are they hoping to teach, sell, spread awareness, examine, or sway? What are the motives for writing this piece?

One of the most common mistakes students make when choosing sources:

is taking what they find in an internet search as the truth without critically examining their sources; they often fail to consider the source's credibility. 

Costa’s levels of questioning

1. Gathering information

2. Process information

3. Apply information

Graphic Organizers

allow students to organize information to help them summarize their sources and keep track of the main ideas.

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER)/Main Idea Flow Charts

help students summarize their sources and keep track of the main ideas.

Venn Diagrams

can help students compare and contrast different events, people, or time periods.

Three-column charts/KWL Charts

can help students who are researching multiple arguments and can help them formulate their opinions.

Sequence Organizers

can be used to help students as they navigate through a period of time and help them keep track of main events on a timeline. 

Solid social studies instruction requires teachers to guide students to:

• analyzing historical information

• making inferences

• drawing conclusions

• comparing and contrasting historical events

Timelines

instrumental visual tools in understanding history and historical events.

Chronology

the science of placing events in order of when they occurred. ___ may include specific dates of events or use terminology such as before or after to place events in sequential order. Events are usually listed from least to most recent. Timelines provide a strong visual aid for understanding _______; however, sequential order may also be presented in the text structure of written material, such as lists of dates and events.

Teaching students that historians’ views will sometimes conflict with each other opens them up to

building open-mindedness, tolerance, and critical thinking skills, and that different people can perceive the same event differently.