Vital Witnesses

Mark Newman is associate professor of curriculum instruction and social studies education at National Louis University.

• PrefaceIntroduction: What Are Primary Sources? Part One: Understanding Primary SourcesThe world of primary sourcesPrint documentsVisual documents Maps PhotographsEditorial Cartoons Film/videoFine ArtsFolk Culture and Mythology. The Built EnvironmentMaterial cultureNatural EnvironmentPart Two: Primary Sources in the ClassroomThe Big PictureInquiry-Based Learning MethodClassroom Exercises Exploring the nature of primary sourcesUsing primary source texts to open a unit of study Constructing Document-Based QuestionsUsing Visuals to Meet the Needs of All LearnersDesigning a Curriculum for All LearnersPart Three: Accommodating Common CoreAccommodating Common Core Literacy StandardsAccommodating the C3 Framework for State Social Studies StandardsBibliography

Newman illustrates how to integrate primary sources into K–12 social studies and history curricula. He explains what primary sources are, where they can be found, how they can be incorporated into curricula, and how they accommodate the new Common Core and the C3 Framework social sciences requirements. The first chapter explores the different types of primary sources and points out their strengths and limitations. Chapter 2 shows how to create lesson plans and exercises and how to do assessment when using primary sources such as maps, documents, and songs. The author also explains how primary sources support teaching and learning with document-based questions, special-needs students, and English-language learners. The last chapter illustrates how it is possible to meet the Common Core and the C3 Framework requirements using primary sources and discusses the importance of developing long-term goals to offer a progressive way for students to practice their skills. Overall, the book emphasizes that primary sources can improve the quality of teaching and learning at all levels of education. The book includes a useful bibliography. Easy to read, with many charts and a resource list, this book will help enhance teaching and learning. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.