Primary and Secondary Sources Activities Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts

Help your students analyze firsthand and secondhand accounts of the same event or topic. This comprehensive resource includes 4 different activities that require students to compare and contrast a variety of primary and secondary sources. Each activity contains a firsthand and secondhand account of each event and has a unique way of helping students compare and contrast using both open-ended and multiple-choice questions to promote critical thinking. Optional Venn diagrams are included so that students can transfer their learning beyond the activities provided.

Through a variety of texts and 16 pages of fun and engaging activities, students will learn how to compare and contrast firsthand and secondhand accounts, as well as be able to determine a primary source from a secondary source. Each activity includes a high-interest topic that students will love to read and learn about - perfect for students in 4th and 5th grades. 

Included in this download:

• First & Secondhand Accounts Posters (color versions)
• First & Secondhand Accounts Posters (black & white versions)
• Activity 1: Australian Bushfire Crisis - newspaper article, personal journal entry
• Activity 2: Dr. King’s Famous Speech - letter/email, nightly news report
• Activity 3: Pompeii: The Lost City - history textbook article, personal diary entry
• Activity 4: Titanic’s Maiden Voyage - interview with a reporter, biography
• Teacher Answer Keys
• Answer Keys to Display for Students
• Optional Venn Diagrams
• TpT Easel Digital Activity Option 
• Answer Keys

Each activity includes multiple-choice and open-ended questions about comparing and contrasting firsthand and secondhand accounts. Students will be required to describe the differences in focus and point of view of each primary and secondary source. 

These activities are perfect for…

• whole group lessons
• independent desk work
• small groups
• literacy centers
• morning work
• homework
• assessments
• early finishers
• sub plans

The best part?

This resource is NO PREP and is easy to use! Just print and go! Through a variety of different sources and engaging activities, students will quickly learn how to analyze firsthand and secondhand accounts on the same event or topic. These activities will also help your students answer common questions on standardized tests about comparing and contrasting passages.

In this one convenient resource, you can…

•have ready-to-go activities that will provide your students with a meaningful learning experience as they analyze firsthand versus secondhand accounts

•use these pre-made activities as sub plans when you need to take a day (or week) off!

•print and go - includes everything you need to teach your students how to compare and contrast passages anytime during the year!

Supports Common Core Standards (CCSS):

RI.4.6

RI.5.6