Historical Source Lesson: Documents
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ALL GRADES
For the Educator: Use this historical source lesson with the sample analysis page (as a handout or overhead) to illustrate where to find and how to use documents.
Download the sample analysis Image as full page jpg |
Relevant Standards: When presented with the interpretive lessons and projects from the curriculum guide, this lesson meets Michigan Content and Benchmark Standards for Social Studies: I: 2 Comprehending the Past, I: 3 Analyzing and Interpreting the Past
What are documents?
Documents are recorded materials that offer information about the past. In researching the Southwest Michigan Fruit Belt, we found letters from growers discussing how to transport fruit. These are primary documents, providing first-hand information. Other types of primary documents would include diaries, birth/death certificates, deeds, governmental records and reports, and newspaper clippings. We also found Pomological society journals, state publications, and horticultural treatises. These are secondary documents, relying on primary or other secondary documents for information. Other types of secondary documents would include scholarly articles, and most books.
Where can you find documents?
We found our documents in places like the State of Michigan Archives, public libraries, private collections, and Michigan State University. There are several useful databases online that can help you find published materials on a topic (usually secondary sources). A librarian or archivist can help you locate and use these databases.
How do you interpret documents?
Follow these steps to help you to clearly and effectively interpret the documents you find.
Read the document carefully. If the language is unclear, you may want to consult someone to help you. Ask yourself questions about the document: Who produced the document? Who is the audience? What is the purpose of this document? When was the document produced, and how can you tell? Was this document intended to last for a long time? Where has the document been stored? Is it useful to people today? How?
The answers to the questions above can help you determine the purpose, audience, and composition of documents. Use these answers to create a story about the past. Many times, historians will use documents like pieces of a puzzle—each one offers information that can complete other stories.
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Michigan Curriculum Framework (PDF) / CURRICULUM GUIDE MATERIALS
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY / THE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER
