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Medium Primary Source Secondary Source

Written Documents Incidents in the Life of a Slave Harriet Jacobs: A Life by Jean
Girl by Harriet Jacobs Fagan Yellin
Art A photograph of an event Sketches, impressionism
(example: “Dewey Defeats
Truman” photograph)

Artifacts An artifact; an actual item from Photographs or copies of the
the time period artifact, anthropological
speculation on artifact’s history

While primary sources lack the bias of interpretation, secondary sources are essential. Interpreting
secondary sources requires an analytical mind, a nose for bias, and a good glossary. It is essential to
know history, geography, civics, and economics terms.

Studying causes and effects of major world events helps students understand history as a continuum.
Another way to put the concept of continuous history into practice is to compare historical events, of any
time, to current events around the world. Realizing the timeless similarities in wartime nations, for
example, helps all students understand the importance of what they study.

Tying it all together requires reaching beyond cultural and economic borders. The end of World War II, for
example, changed the world in ways that stretched beyond American economic prosperity.

The thought of a year-long survey course in history may be daunting to students. Breaking a year's worth
of study into one or a few concepts will help organize and focus your own notes, as well as the thoughts
and study of your students. It is important to keep concepts broad and easy to interpret in different ways.
Some examples: