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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
Subject Social Studies
Sunshine State Standards SS.A.1.2.2
SS.A.1.3.2
- 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.


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.
   a.    Read the definition out loud.
   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.
   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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