Understanding GoalUnderstanding Goal

Discoveries can be supported by primary sources that demonstrate multiple perspectives.

"What’s In Your Pocket?" Introduction Model Activity

Directions and sample images available here.

"Life in a Box" Model Activity

Instructor will:

Set out boxes filled with primary sources about one individual.  Depending on size of group, participants may share one box, a pair, or individually. View example boxes in the "Life in a Box" table.  Boxes will be differentiated according to reading ability and bibliographic record clues. 
Red = most challenging, Blue = average difficulty, Green = least challenging

Participants will:

  1. Examine items in numerical order from one of the boxes presented by the instructor.  The lowest number is the most difficult primary source clue.  Start with the lowest number.
  2. Examine the items found in the box to:
    • Describe and determine what the item is.
    • Determine to whom the item may have belonged or what idea the group of items represents.
    • Discuss what the item may tell about the person or idea.
    • Use the Student Worksheet to facilitate examining the items
  3. Discuss how the primary sources give understanding and insight into an individual or idea.   What new characteristic about the individual or idea might be evident from the primary sources?  How might this activity foster student empathy and perspective for the subject? 
  4. Share findings with large group.
  5. Create an exhibition to discuss big ideas related to a discipline or subject.
    1. Choose a set of boxes or items related to a discipline or subject. For example, all of the boxes in the 20's represent scientists.
    2. Determine a common characteristic of the items that were chosen. For example, all of the people were scientists.
    3. Choose one item from the box to represent the scientists' work in an exhibition. Be able to justify why this item is representative.
    4. Put the items together for an exhibition for review.
    5. Identify a title for the Exhibition and big ideas about the discipline or subject that are supported through the primary sources in the exhibition.
  6. Brainstorm what would students do next to demonstrate their new understanding of the person or idea. Possible follow-ups are available here.

Conclusion

Participants will:

  1. Search the Library of Congress Web site for Lincoln’s pocket

Instructor will:

  • Ask participants to identify what was in Lincoln’s pocket?
  • Ask what might the contents tell about Lincoln’s character, frame of mind on that day?