Artifacts and Primary
Sources
By Amy Peck, Cristy
Padden,
Chris Smith, and Erin Jung
What is An Artifact/Primary
Source?
 Original documents (or copies)
 Actual or replicas of historical
objects
 Any firsthand account that was
recorded in some manner by a
person taking part in or witnessing
an event
Where can teachers (and/or students) find primary
sources and artifacts?
• Internet (teacher
should check in
advance for validity of
source)
• Local Government
Offices
• Newspaper Archives
• Speeches
• Diaries
• Cemeteries
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Court Houses
• Local Business
• Flea Markets and
Antique Shops
• Library
• Museums
• Guest Speakers
• Videos (Check for
validity of source)
• Art, Photographs
• Music
• Dig em’ up  (word)
Use Primary Sources
To…
• Inspire student interest and promote questioning.
• Bring history to life.
• Reinforce knowledge about important persons,
events, laws, institutions, and problems.
• Help students to gain first-hand knowledge of
significant documents.
• Develop habits of critical reading and thinking.
How should teachers and students process
primary sources?
• Look at primary sources critically, noting that they are
biased and written from only one point of view.
• Focus students on specific details you wish for them to
research.
• Locate numerous primary sources for a well rounded
interpretation of events.
• Teach students to summarize to facilitate comparing and
contrasting information from various sources.
• Examine object closely, determine use.
• Determine whether object is an original or a replica.
What are some specific primary
sources/artifacts for each grade levels?
• K-2: The Pledge of Allegiance, Songs, Art,
Neighborhood Maps, and Speeches/presentations
by Community Workers
• 3-4: California Maps, Mission Artifacts (Clara
Barton’s Doll), Gold Rush Documents
• 5-6: Government Documents, Maps of world/US,
Immigration Documents, Greek Mythology
(statues/art), Accounts of War (journals, letters,
poems), Explorer Maps, Flags
Are primary sources/artifacts used differently at
primary grades compared to upper grades?
• Upper grades have the ability to discriminate between
sources and compare/contrast different sources. Students in
the upper grades are at the developmental level where they
can begin to understand the difference between primary and
secondary sources and are able to analyze differences in
point of view. The lower grades need more guidance and
the activities must be abbreviated and include more hands
on experiences. The lower grades are not able to read at the
level many primary sources require.
How can technology support
social studies curriculum?
• The internet is a valuable tool for finding
primary sources. A webquest can help students
focus in on specific sights the teacher has
located. Students can view artifacts/documents
that are not otherwise accessible. The internet
makes many sources accessible if the school’s
collection is lacking or insufficient. Slide shows
can be viewed to show artifacts. Students can
compare and contrast primary sources and
display their findings in a power point
presentation—Just like us! 
Advantages and
Disadvantages to Primary
Sources and Artifacts
• Strengths/Advantages:
• Limitations/Disadvantages
• Promotes Critical
thinking
• Addresses numerous
learning styles
• Engaging
• Gives students many
perspectives on historical
events
• Lends itself to
cooperative learning
• Integrates Art,
Literature, Social
Studies, Music
• Lots of Lesson Planning
Required
• Need to assess validity of
source
• Reading Level is High
• Takes More Time to
Analyze many sources
• Artifacts are delicate and
hard to come by
• Weight of Artifacts—
Like the Drummer-Lady
Statue!