Primary vs Secondary Sources

What You'll Learn

🧠 A diary from 1865 is a PRIMARY source — the original. A history book about 1865 is a SECONDARY source — someone's interpretation. Here's how to do it: 1. Look carefully at the problem. What do you see? 2. Think about what you already know. Does this remind you of something? 3. Try an answer! It's totally okay to be wrong — that's how we learn. 4. Check: did it work? If not, try something else! You're building your thinking muscles. The more you practice, the stronger they get!

Key Concept: Source type distinctions

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Think About This

📖 You're reading a story and the character needs to use source type distinctions. What advice would you give them?

Thinking Steps

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👀 What Do I See?

Look at the problem about source type distinctions. What do you notice?

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🤔 What Do I Know?

What do you already know that could help? Have you seen something like this before?

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💡 What's My Idea?

Think of an answer. Can you think of a second one too?

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⭐ What Did I Learn?

Check your answer. Was it right? What did you figure out? Tell someone!

Key Points

Master source type distinctions

Apply evidence & research in real situations

Build habits of evidence & research

Key Vocabulary

Clue

Something that helps solve a mystery

True

Something that really happened

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Why This Matters in Real Life

People use evidence research skills at home, at school, and at work. Every time you practice, you're getting ready for the future!

Talk About It

Discuss these questions with a friend, parent, or classmate.

1Can you explain source type distinctions to a friend using your own words?
2What was the most interesting thing you learned today?
3Draw a picture of what you learned and show it to someone!

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

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What is the main idea of source type distinctions?