C3 Teachers

MARCH 14, 2025

These pilot experiences were invaluable we observed firsthand how students engaged in compelling questions, analyzed primary sources, and developed their own interpretations of historical events. Others worried about the complexities of multilingual learners engaging with rigorous primary sources. IDM does just that.

Social Studies 40

Social Studies Public School Primary Sources Civic Engagement 40

Moler's Musing

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

This part helped students connect primary source analysis to the broader motivations for European exploration, further deepening their historical thinking skills. This activity added a fun and imaginative twist to the lesson, pushing students to think outside the box while still connecting back to the day’s theme.

Primary Sources 126

Primary Sources Artifacts Geography Lesson Plan 126

ED Surge

APRIL 3, 2024

Throughout this lesson, my students not only learn the content but also develop critical thinking skills as they analyze evidence, put together persuasive arguments and respectfully debate their peers. I often weave these historical narratives into content through primary sources. Photo courtesy of Alex Brouhard.

History 139

History Primary Sources Artifacts Social Studies 139

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 5, 2023

Next, students progress to the stage of “thinking.” This critical thinking process encourages them to draw inferences, identify patterns, and make informed interpretations. Historical Events: When studying historical events, people, or places encourage students to analyze primary sources.

Primary Sources 130

Primary Sources Critical Thinking Education 130

Moler's Musing

OCTOBER 26, 2024

Friday Primary Sources Lesson Link , Thick Slide Summary Friday was a day off for me, so I set up an inquiry lesson for my students—a deep dive into the question, “Why is it important to have a voice in government? Sure, I want students to stretch their thinking and be challenged, but there’s a fine line.

Primary Sources 126

Primary Sources History Government Critical Thinking 126

Education Week - Social Studies

APRIL 30, 2024

Through the use of primary sources, and students' own critical thinking skills, this Texas teacher navigates the current political climate.

Social Studies 64

Social Studies Primary Sources Critical Thinking 64

The Hechinger Report

JULY 7, 2022

There was much more emphasis on critical thinking and primary source investigation. Frank McCormick, at the time the district’s coordinator for social studies instruction, said those inquiry-based standards were a radical shift from the content-based standards that most students and teachers were used to.

Primary Sources 124

Primary Sources Social Science Professional Development Critical Thinking 124

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

By moving through these four phases—See, Think, Me, We—participants engage in a comprehensive thinking process that takes them from initial observation to personal connection and social relevance. Teachers often use this routine to deepen students’ engagement with material and to foster complex, critical thinking skills.

Primary Sources 143

Primary Sources History Cultures Cultural Studies 143

ED Surge

JULY 21, 2022

I've thought about opening it up widely—write a historical novelette (using primary sources, of course), create a sculpture, write a song—but, again, I have no idea how to grade something like that, considering the wide range of talent that my students likely will have.

Primary Sources 127

Primary Sources History World History Digital Resources 127

Dangerously Irrelevant

MAY 31, 2017

Like many teachers, I would tap into the the Library of Congress, which would give me tips for teaching with primary sources , including quarterly journal articles on topics such as integrating historical and geographic thinking. I could garner ideas from the City University of New York’s American Social History Project.

Social Studies 76

Social Studies Teaching Archiving Geography 76

Moler's Musing

JANUARY 2, 2024

Reflecting on the adventures, challenges, and revelations of the first semester teaching 8th grade social studies has been a journey filled with engaging moments, critical thinking exercises, and the exploration of local connections. Teaching is an imperfect yet rewarding art, and therein lies its beauty.

Primary Sources 52

Primary Sources Critical Thinking Social Studies History 52

Students of History

JANUARY 3, 2023

By actively engaging with the material in this way, students are able to develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. One way to do this is to incorporate a variety of primary sources into lessons, including documents and speeches from underrepresented groups.

Social Studies 52

Social Studies Teaching Historic Sites Primary Sources 52

Students of History

JUNE 5, 2023

This encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of your content. These 9-page packets are perfect for an EOC review because they include maps, vocabulary, people, images, timelines, and primary sources to analyze.

History 52

History Primary Sources Lesson Plan Critical Thinking 52

ED Surge

JULY 7, 2022

It teaches the basics of critical thinking, research and academic writing. So when one student says she plans to study the Bermuda Triangle, the professor recommends that she ask a librarian—maybe the one who talked to the class earlier in the semester—to help her curate a reading list of secondary sources.

Library 115

Library Psychology Primary Sources Humanities 115

Studies Weekly

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Here are some of my favorite resources from my Teacher’s Edition: Weekly Essentials Every week in the TE includes: Summary notes Essential questions and critical thinking questions Learning objectives Vocabulary Comprehension questions Assessments All of these things are already done and ready for you to use.

Artifacts 52

Artifacts Primary Sources Lesson Plan Social Studies 52

C3 Teachers

MAY 8, 2024

It can be daunting to attempt to create your first inquiry, making sure it’s an active and engaging approach that puts the learner at the center, fostering both curiosity and critical thinking. I started with browsing an exhaustive amount of websites, academic journals, blog posts, digital museum tours, primary sources etc.

Primary Sources 40

Primary Sources Social Studies Artifacts Museum 40

C3 Teachers

MAY 8, 2024

It can be daunting to attempt to create your first inquiry, making sure it’s an active and engaging approach that puts the learner at the center, fostering both curiosity and critical thinking. I started with browsing an exhaustive amount of websites, academic journals, blog posts, digital museum tours, primary sources etc.

Primary Sources 40

Primary Sources Social Studies Artifacts Museum 40

Moler's Musing

MARCH 14, 2025

Mexican War through layered activities that encouraged critical thinking. To make the content engaging and meaningful, I used a mix of EduProtocols, incorporating depth and complexity elements to push students thinking beyond just recalling facts. This activity helped reinforce sourcing skills and historical interpretation.

Primary Sources 86

Primary Sources Local History History Government 86

Students of History

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

While they're sometimes belittled, worksheets are an excellent tool for helping students analyze primary sources or better understand a historical event through a secondary source. They also all assess studies skills like cause-and-effect, interpreting sources, understanding timelines, and working on map skills.

History 52

History Primary Sources Lesson Plan American History 52

Teaching American History

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Since all of the projects must incorporate primary sources, students learn how to access online archives such as the Hathi Trus t and newspapers.org. Along with teaching research methods and critical thinking, she makes opportunities for students to meet and talk with civic leaders in both political and nonpartisan positions.

Social Studies 98

Social Studies Research Archiving American History 98

Moler's Musing

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

I had used AI to simplify the primary sources into 7th-grade-friendly readings, hoping this would keep students engaged and make the sources more accessible. This made the Loyalist primary source lesson from the Digital Inquiry group a perfect choice.

Primary Sources 122

Primary Sources Government History Human Rights 122

Zinn Education Project

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

—Breck Foster High School Social Studies Teacher, Lake Oswego, Oregon Last year was my first year teaching World History and I was in need of high quality simulations to help my students understand and engage their critical thinking. Jared Leone High School Social Studies Teacher, Springfield, Massachusetts In U.S.

History 52

History Teaching Social Studies High School 52

Moler's Musing

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

But, despite the constraints, I found ways to layer in engagement and critical thinking while still covering the required content. Archetype Four Square encouraged critical thinking about Adams’ leadership style. Annotate and Tell: Marshalls Ruling We then moved to primary source analysis.

Primary Sources 118

Primary Sources Leadership Critical Thinking History 118