Students are given the opportunity to examine a variety of primary sources and understand what makes a primary source. Background information is provided for teachers and students along with graphic organizers and activity sheets to assist students with organizing and interpreting the information. The document and material collections at Old Sturbridge Village provide many examples for students to work with as they take on the role of investigator. Students see firsthand the cultural material and values that were important to early nineteenth-century New Englanders. Written documents provide students with descriptions of daily life and the concerns of ordinary people, often expressing different points of view. Material culture provides insight into life styles and available technology of the early nineteenth century. As students develop research skills and gather information from a variety of sources to interpret and analyze, a stronger historical understanding emerges. Through this understanding comes the awareness of the significant role each of us can contribute to society.

This curriculum unit contains:
1. Unit overview including a list of the lessons

2. Lesson Plans that include:

• Lesson Content:
  
  • Overview
    
  • Grade level
    
  • Goals and Objectives
    
  • Assessment suggestions
    
  • Keywords (when applicable)
    
  • Connection to National Standards
  
  
• Lesson Activities:
  
  • Directions
    
  • Activity Sheets (when applicable)
    
  • Primary Source Documents (when applicable)
    
  • Papers and Articles (when applicable)
  • Teacher Resources (when applicable)
  
  

Primary, Upper Elementary, Middle, High School

This unit will provide a variety of primary sources for students to use to gather historical information. As students develop their observation and critical thinking skills, they gain a better understanding of a time or culture. Using sources from Old Sturbridge Village’s collections, including diaries, letters, artifacts, paintings, and more, students will discover what life was like for people living in rural nineteenth-century New England. Through primary sources students will learn to read and interpret data, become familiar with nineteenth-century vocabulary, and analyze and draw conclusions from primary evidence.

Primary Source Guides provide assessment tools to assist students with the evaluation of primary source documents, paintings, and artifacts.