Introducing CKHG™ Primary Source Activity Books
Core Knowledge is committed to creating literate citizens through the implementation of knowledge-building curricula. One way is through elevating the teaching of history and geography. We are thrilled to unveil our latest product: the Primary Source Activity Books for Grades 3–6!
Why Use Primary Sources?
Primary sources are anything from a time period that tells us about the people and events of that era. This often means documents such as government proclamations, letters, diaries, newspapers, and books. But it also means art, furniture, clothing, toys, and other elements of materials culture.
Integrating primary sources help humanize history. Students can “hear” what people of the past knew, thought, felt, and believed from the people themselves. Students can interact directly with history, instead of history being filtered through a Student Reader. This interaction helps students build their reading and visual literacy skills. When students compare a source with the information in their Student Reader, they also develop informational literacy skills—skills that are increasingly important in this age of mis- and disinformation.
What Are the Primary Source Activity Books?
The Primary Source Activity Books are built around a collection of primary sources that have been carefully curated to align with the Core Knowledge History and Geography program. Each source connects directly to a person, place, or event mentioned in the CKHG Student Readers for that grade level.
Sources are accompanied by questions that lead students through the five steps of primary source analysis: accessing prior knowledge, describing the source, putting the source in context, interpreting the source, and drawing a conclusion. Answering these questions helps students “think like a historian.” Students are also guided to reflect on their own learning and consider how each source confirms or changes their understanding of history.
How Do I Use the Primary Source Activity Books?
The activity books are designed for flexible implementation. Sources may be used one by one as students progress through each CKHG unit or may also be used collectively, as a culminating activity for the unit, with students completing a jigsaw or working in stations. Teachers may also choose for students to complete the activities individually, in pairs, in small groups, or as a whole class. We encourage teachers to choose the implementation strategy that best suits their available time and instructional style—and to vary strategy from unit to unit, if it suits them.
We are very excited to introduce these books, and we can’t wait to see what our teachers do with them!