Primary+Source+Documents

EIGHTH GRADE NORTH CAROLINA: CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE Competency Goal 4 The learner will examine the causes, course, and character of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and their impact on North Carolina and the nation. 4.03 Assess North Carolina's role in the Civil War and analyze the social and economic impact of the war on the state. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/scos/2003-04/050eighthgrade

The National Archives Experience Docs Teach Create Your Own Interactive Learning Activity @http://docsteach.org/tools Finding a Sequence, Focusing on Details, Making Connections, Mapping History, Seeing the Big Picture, Weighing the Evidence and Interpreting Data

There is a drop down menu to assist you in identifying the best tool for the activity you want to create. You may browse or search by topic the interactives created by The National Archives.

Advantages: Existing interactives on a variety of subjects using the different activity styles and the ability to create your own. Students are able to see the original document and also view a transcription of the document. Students can return to the information screen to read the instructions again and click on the question mark to see a visual of how to complete the activity. When the document is placed in the correct sequence the student will see the number correct change. After completing the activity, the student may e-mail the results and add comments.

Disadvantages: Users must create a log-in to create their own activity. Students may become discouraged if they are unsuccessful with the completion of the sequencing activity.

Using primary source documents in the classrooms encourages deep thinking and reflection and best of all, offers the students a varied learning approach to the typical approach to teachings social studies and history. Primary source documents also activate prior knowledge, provide an excellent source of background information and can be used with cognitive strategies.

There are numerous, reputable organizations that have ready-made primary source documents lessons and resources.

Remember that struggling readers may lack the vocabulary needed for comprehension, however photographs and visuals are an ideal companion to the text.

What Else Was Happening During the Civil War Era? Finding a Sequence @http://docsteach.org/activities/22


 * Primary Sources**

National Archives Archival Research Catalog @http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/topics/civil-war/

Duke University Libraries Civil War Women: Primary Sources on the Internet @http://library.duke.edu/specialcollections/bingham/guides/cwdocs.html

The Library of Congress American Memory @http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html


 * Resources**

NC Project Wiki **Teaching North Carolina History through Primary Source Documents** @http://ncproject.pbworks.com/w/page/5904209/FrontPage