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Elementary Primary Source Sets
A Message from The Colorado Primary Sources for Elementary School Collaborative
Greetings,
We are very proud to present primary source sets for elementary teachers and students! This project came about as a result of requests from the field. Elementary teachers had expressed an interest in using primary sources in their classrooms but were not sure how to find sources that were appropriate for their grade level. As a result, a group of educators worked together to create primary source sets for grades K-6.
The primary source sets are comprised of three parts: Lesson Overview, Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas, and a Resource Set.
- Lesson Overview: The lesson overview is a graphic organizer that gives a "snapshot" of the primary source set and lesson. The lesson overview graphic is based on the Document Based Lesson template developed by A. Reisman (2012).
- Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas: The primary source set and lesson ideas includes a collection of primary sources on a specific topic and a variety of ideas for incorporating those sources into your classroom instruction
- Resource Set: The resource set includes additional sources to accompany the Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas to help extend lessons and further student understanding.
What is a Primary Source?
Primary sources are the voices of the past. They are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects which were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience. Documents, letters, posters, film, artifacts, photographs, maps, etc. can be primary sources that tell the story of people, places, an events of the past.
Why Use Primary Sources in the Classroom?
Examining primary sources gives students a powerful sense of history and the complexity of the past. Helping students analyze primary sources can also guide them toward higher-order thinking and better critical thinking and analysis skills (from the Library of Congress).
Where Do I Find Primary Sources?
- Library of Congress
- National Archives
- History Colorado
- Colorado Encyclopedia
- Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection
- Local Museums (Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a map of local history museums and articles)
Primary Source Analysis Worksheets:
Worksheets may be modified or adapted to specific goals or outcomes of the lesson.
- Artifact Word | Artifact PDF
- Artwork Word | Artwork PDF
- Document Word | Document PDF
- Film Word | Film PDF
- Map Word | Map PDF
- Newspaper Article Word | Newspaper Article PDF
- Oral History Word | Oral History PDF
- Picture/Photograph (Image) Word | Picture/Photograph (Image) PDF
- Political Cartoon | Political Cartoon PDF
- Poster Word | Poster PDF
Questions? E-mail Stephanie Hartman, Social Studies Content Specialist
6th Grade
Aztec Codex Mendoza
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: Through the study of the Aztec Codex Mendoza, this primary source set focuses on the influence of art on the culture of a people.
The Chicano Movement
(This primary source set was developed by pre-service teachers at MSU: Aaron Christopher, Joshua Dosumu, and Hannah Miller)
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Supplemental Materials (PDF) (NOTE: All materials have been combined into a single document)
Description: This set focuses on the Chicano Movement in Denver during the Civil Rights Movement (1960's and 1970's)
The Inca Empire
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This set explores the great skills of the Inca in engineering an empire.
To be developed:
Mayan Codices | Mexican Geography/Ecosystems | Mexican Economy | Central American Geography/Climate
5th Grade
The Boston Massacre
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set has students investigating the Boston Massacre through multiple perspectives in an attempt to discover "what really happened."
The Declaration of Independence
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This set is designed to help students understand the purpose and text of the Declaration of Independence
Building a New Nation
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Simplified Versions of the Founding Documents (PDF)
To be developed
Exploration | Early Discovery | Thirteen Colonies | Migration
4th Grade
A History of the Impact of the Railroad in Colorado
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set looks at the importance of the railroad in Colorado from transporting goods to travel by train.
The Women of Camp Hale
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
10th Mountain Division Timeline (WORD)
Description: This primary source set focuses on Mary Elizabeth Davis who served during World War II at Camp Hale outside of Leadville, CO
A History of the American Bison
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set looks at the importance of the bison to Native Americans and then the subsequent decline of the bison population due to over hunting.
The Lives of Women and Children in Colorado's Mining Towns
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Supplemental Document (WORD): Sample Questions for Images Draw You In
Description: This primary source set and lesson ideas focuses on life for women in children in Colorado's mining towns.
The Dearfield Community
(This primary source set was developed by pre-service teachers at MSU: Shailyn Fung-A-Fat, Mallory Werth, and Jessica Bacon-Taylor)
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set and lesson ideas explores life in Dearfield, Colorado. Today, what's left of this community is part of the Registered Historic Places in Colorado.
The Ute - Relations Between the Ute and the Anglo-American Settlers During the 1800's (Special Note: This primary source set should be used within a unit on the Ute in Colorado. It should not be used as a standalone to teach about the Ute).
(This primary source set was developed by pre-service teachers at MSU: Sarah Beckel, Maggie Karr, Sandra Roman)
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set focuses on the changes to Ute Territory as a result of the 1868 Treaty and the ensuing conflict of the Meeker Massacre.
Tuberculosis (TB) Patients Migrate to Denver
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This set of primary source documents helps students understand how tuberculosis contributed to growing the population of Denver and Colorado.
To be developed
Exploring Colorado - Trappers and Traders | Homesteaders | Colorado Cities & Towns | Colorado Government | Colorado Landmarks | Colorado Ghost Towns | Colorado Geography - The Land We Call Home | 20th Century Colorado
3rd Grade
A History of the San Luis Valley
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD) - NOTE: This set may also be used in 4th grade.
Supplemental Material #1: Changes in the Valley (PDF)
Description: This primary source set focuses on the settlement of the San Luis Valley by the Hispanos. The "story" then focuses in on the Trujillo family.
Colorado Industries of the Past: Sugar Beets
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD) - NOTE: This set may also be used in 4th grade.
Supplemental Document (WORD): What's the Story?
Description: This primary source set and lesson ideas focuses on the importance of the sugar beet industry for immigrants coming to Colorado.
Characteristics of a Region
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set and lesson ideas focuses on the characteristics of Colorado's geographic regions.
2nd Grade
The Auraria Neighborhood: A Look at Changes Over Time
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas
Description: This primary source set focuses on changes to the Auraria neighborhood in Denver over the past 100 years.
Your Community Long Ago & Today: Keota, A Case Study
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set introduces 2nd grade students to their community long ago through the Keota settlement.
Mapping Changes in Colorado Towns
(This primary source set was developed by pre-service teachers at MSU: Danielle DeSpain, Monique Sherred, and Julieann Sorrentino)
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
1st Grade
My History at School
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set gives students an opportunity to investigate the similarities and differences between school today and school in the past.
American Symbols
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set introduces students to the concept of symbols through the study of American symbols such as the American flag and the Statue of Liberty.
Notable Coloradans
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set looks at five notable Coloradans: Scott Carpenter, Missy Franklin, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Rick "Goose" Gossage, and the Honorable Christine M. Arguello.
Kindergarten
Farming in Colorado Through Oral Histories
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set focuses on oral histories of families who immigrated to Colorado primarily to farm.
Schoolhouses & Classrooms of the Past
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set looks at one room schoolhouses, the school day, and how children in the past played.
Toys and Games of Yesteryear
Primary Source Set and Lesson Ideas (WORD)
Description: This primary source set engages students in exploring the toys and games of the past.
Primary Source Set Partners
The team was comprised of the following people:
Name | Title | Affiliation |
Clabaugh, Kile | Project Coordinator | Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources - Metropolitan State University of Denver |
Gabehart, Kayla | Associate Director | National History Day in Colorado |
Gould, Amanda | Social Studies Coordinator | Aurora Public Schools |
Hartman, Stephanie | K-12 Social Studies Content Specialist | Colorado Department of Education |
Hernandez, Alex | Reference Librarian, Western History & Genealogy | Denver Public Library |
Jeremias, Leigh | Digital Collections Senior Consultant | Colorado State Library - Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection |
Laugen, Todd | Associate Professor | Metropolitan State University of Denver - Department of History |
Legg, April | Manager of School and Teacher Programs | History Colorado |
O'Neill-Jones, Peggy | Professor of technical communication and media production; and Director of the Teaching with Primary Sources Program | Metropolitan State University of Denver and Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources - Metro State University, Denver |
Patterson, Keith | Project Coordinator | Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources - Metropolitan State University of Denver |
Pettit, Jenny | Social Studies Coordinator | St. Vrain School District |
Mosier, Claire | Museum Educator | American Museum of Western Art - The Anschutz Collection |
Sell, Corey | Assistant Professor of Elementary Education | Metropolitan State University of Denver - School of Education |
Willmann, Kent | Adjunct Professor | University of Colorado and Lessons in Local Government |
Stephanie Hartman, PhD
Social Studies Content Specialist
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