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| An Introduction to Primary and Secondary Sources
What if you had the SCRAP
OF PAPER on which J.K. Rowling wrote the beginnings of
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?
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| Grades |
4 to 8 |
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| Subject |
Social Studies |
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| Sunshine State Standards |
SS.A.1.2.2
SS.A.1.3.2 |
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knows the difference between primary and secondary sources |
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Overview
In this lesson, students will pretend that they are doing research for
a biography of the author J.K. Rowling. They will examine examples
of sources of information and decide which are primary and which are secondary
sources. This will give students an introduction to primary and
secondary sources in a familiar context, and prepare them for further
study.
Objectives
1. Students will read a definition of primary and secondary source materials.
2. Students will work in small groups to sort cards with examples of
primary and secondary sources (based on J.K. Rowling).
3. Students will discuss how they classified the examples and why they
decided on those classifications.
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Materials and Preparation
1. Definitions of primary and secondary sources.
2. A copy of J.K. Rowling's book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone.
3. Example cards.
4. Scissors |
Procedure
| 1) |
Give students definitions of primary and secondary source materials. |
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a. Read the definition out loud. |
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b. Help students distinguish between
the words by pointing out that the word primary is related to the
word prime, as in "prime time". The primary source is the
best source. It is the first source. |
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c. Point out that the word "secondary"
is related to the word "second" as in "second-hand information."
This is information that has been repeated. |
| 2) |
Have students work in pairs to cut and sort the examples of primary
and secondary sources on J.K. Rowling. |
| 3) |
Write the examples on the blackboard or overhead. |
| 4) |
When students are finished, ask each pair how they classified
each example. |
| 5) |
Record their answers. |
| 6) |
Discuss any differences in how the pairs classified the examples. |
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