Primary Sources, Not Just for Social Studies
Using Primary Sources to Teach Science
October 16, 2015
Susan Gum – Secondary Literacy Coach
Howard County Public Schools
Outcomes
Participants will:
• Discuss ways to engage students with primary sources
• Develop instructional strategies to help students
examine and analyze primary sources
Connecting with Primary Sources
Move to the Primary Source that Most Appeals to You
Primary Sources and Science?
Read the article, “Primary Sources and Science.”
Highlight/underline/identify:
• ideas & inspirations you loved
• ideas & inspirations you challenge
• ideas & inspirations you want to explore further
Analyzing Primary Sources
Whole-Group Primary Source Analysis
Primary Source Analysis
• Observe
– Identify and note details
• Reflect
– Generate hypotheses
– What’s happening?
– Why do you think the image was made?
– Who is the audience?
– What can you learn?
– What’s missing?
• Question
– Ask questions
– What do you wonder about?
• Further Investigation
– What more do you want to know?
Small-Group Primary Source Analysis
Questions for Consideration & Discussion
How is the work of a scientist like the work of analyzing a
primary source?
In what varied ways might we use primary sources?
How might these correlate with engagement and with
rigor?
Resources
http://www.loc.gov/
http://www.loc.gov/education/
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/tps/quarterly/science/researc
h.html
http://www.schrockguide.net/primary-sources.html
http://scienceintheclassroom.org
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/tps/quarterly/science/