Look at Primary Sources

Poetry can be a true snapshot of a time period. From the flowery language of the 19th century Romantics to the sometimes-spare writings of modern poets, the text of a poem can tell readers a lot about history-as well as the life of the poet! In this interesting volume, readers are introduced to poems as primary sources that can teach about history and the lives of those who wrote them. Both historical and modern examples are included with accompanying historical context and accessible language interpretation. A concluding activity engages readers with a poem-or song lyric-of their choice!

Nothing can capture history like a photo: the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, children and military parents reunited, and space shuttles taking off. In many ways, photographs are the ultimate primary source, sometimes offering the only clear look at an event as it happened, like the Hindenburg disaster. Through accessible text and both modern and historical examples, readers learn how to look at photographs as a primary source from which to learn about history. Famous images correlate with the main text for maximum comprehension.

Much of what we know about past leaders, celebrities, and those with lives of note comes from the person themselves! Autobiographies have long been a way for those in the spotlight-or who lived through extraordinary circumstances-to share their side of the story, their view of history, and of course, their ideas! The carefully chosen main text and primary source examples in this book appeals to both students in need of review and struggling readers with its achievable language and accessible content. Both modern and historical autobiographies are included, accompanied by images of each.

What better way to learn how a leader felt about the fighting than to check his letters home! Letters are such an interesting primary source because they offer a perspective on history in a historical person's own words, in the language of the day, and in the writing style of the time. In this accessible volume, readers investigate letters as a primary source that can be used to learn about history. Historical and modern examples are included in the main text with accompanying photographs to aid comprehension for struggling readers or those in need of review.

It's possible that some kids have never seen a physical newspaper in their home. But, it's still very likely they know the name of their hometown paper, if there is one, and other big names like The Washington Post or The New York Times. This volume emphasizes to readers the importance of newspapers in the past and today in reporting events as they happen, making newspapers an essential primary source. Images of iconic headlines and news stories are found throughout the book to aid readers understanding.

Artists are some of the great observers of history. Whether it's with a canvas and brush or piece of stone and chisel or modelling clay, art has long depicted historical events, people, and movements. In this book, readers are introduced to using art as a primary source. Through interesting yet accessible text, this volume gives struggling readers both modern and history examples of how art can teach us about the past and the world around us. Accompanying photographs correlate with the text to aid comprehension, and a concluding activity encourages readers to find a piece of art to interpret!