Using Primary Sources in the Middle Grades!

Written by Barbara Doherty and Charlotte Jaffe.

BOOK 2 COVERS THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: The American Civil War, America in World War II and Civil Rights. 




U.S. History Document-Based Activities, Book 2 is divided into three sections: The American Civil War, America in World War II and Civil Rights. Each section contains background information on the topic, a variety of primary sources, and challenging activities to help you integrate the artifacts into your curriculum. Through these activities, students will improve their abilities to analyze, create, discuss, hypothesize, and evaluate. These are skills that are required in state standardized tests. They are also skills that are needed by all citizens to meet the many complexities of the twenty-first century. 



Included are letters, historical documents, diary excerpts, photos, cartoons, art, maps, ads, and other artifacts that are classified as primary sources. By learning how people of the periods actually felt, students will better understand the people and events that shaped the history of our nation. 



Grades 5–8. 



The lessons and activities in this book align with the following Common Core State Standards*: 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.4 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.6 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.8 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.9 



Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. 

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. 

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies. 

Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose. 



Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts. 

Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. 



*Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers 

Title: Common Core State Standards English Language Arts 

Publisher: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C. 

Copyright Date: 2010