Primary Sources Bring the Past to Life!
American Symbols Primary Sources are just what teachers need to help students learn how to analyze primary sources in order to meet Common Core State Standards!
Students participate in active learning by creating their own interpretations of history using historical documents. Students make observations, generate questions, organize information and ideas, think analytically, write persuasively or informatively, and cite evidence to support their opinions, hypotheses, and conclusions. Students learn how to integrate and evaluate information to deepen their understanding of historical events.
The 20 American Symbols Primary Sources are:
- Copy of historical Gadsden flag designed during the American Revolution to symbolize the unity and independence of the 13 colonies – 1775
- Portrait of President George Washington by Gilbert Stuart – 1796
- Copy of broadside printing of a poem that became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States – 1814
- Illustration of the White House after being burned during the War of 1812 – circa 1814-1815
- Engraving of Richard Henry Lee of Virginia reading the original Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia 100 years after its adoption – July 4, 1876
- Front page of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper featuring the Statue of Liberty – 1885
- World War I recruiting poster for U.S. Marines featuring the U.S. flag as a symbol to rally around – 1916
- Photograph of statue of Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial – 1922
- World War I patriotic poster showing bald eagle as symbol of the United States – 1917
- Photograph of “The Human Liberty Bell” made of 25,000 military personnel at Camp Dix, New Jersey – 1918
- Copy of broadside describing the Great Seal of the United States – 1941
- World War II recruiting poster featuring Uncle Sam – 1941
- Photograph of schoolchildren in New York saying the Pledge of Allegiance in their classroom – 1943
- Photograph of Air Force One flying over Mount Rushmore—Air Force One is the aircraft that transports the President of the United States – 2001
- Aerial photograph of the Washington Monument with the White House in the background – 2003
- Aerial photograph of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri – 2006
- Photograph of President Barack Obama’s inauguration at the U.S. Capitol – 2009
- Photograph of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota with quote by sculptor Gutzon Borglum – 2011
- Photograph of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial depicting Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II – photo 2013
- Examples of one dollar bill, five-dollar bill, and twenty-dollar bill featuring American symbols on obverse sides
Your students will:
- Think critically and analytically, interpret events, and question various perspectives of history.
- Participate in active learning by creating their own interpretations instead of memorizing facts and a writer’s interpretations.
- Integrate and evaluate information provided in diverse media formats to deepen their understanding of historical events.
- Create a more relevant and meaningful learning experience.
Download the Gallopade Free Online Teacher's Guide for Primary Sources PDF located in "Additional Info."
All levels. 8 x 11 inches each. Cardstock.
