Course Description:
Primary sources are powerful tools for developing students’ critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and historical literacy. In this course, educators will learn how to effectively integrate primary sources—including documents, photographs, maps, artifacts, and multimedia—into their instruction to create engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences. Using Kathleen Vest’s Using Primary Sources in the Classroom as a foundation, participants will explore strategies for helping students analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources. Teachers will learn to design lessons that build students’ capacity to examine evidence, consider multiple perspectives, detect bias, and construct evidence-based arguments. Through hands-on activities and practical application, participants will develop ready-to-implement lessons that use primary sources to deepen student understanding and promote sophisticated historical and critical thinking skills. This 4-week course requires weekly assignments. Graduate credit seekers must also submit a final project by the end of week 4 or no later than August 16.
Audience
Grades K-12 educators
About the Instructor
Kristin Robertson is a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience teaching Social Studies. She spent more than two decades as a Social Studies teacher and also served as a Social Studies Coordinator, where she worked to strengthen curriculum and instructional practices across grade levels. She is also a licensed Reading Specialist with extensive experience supporting literacy development for diverse learners. Currently, Kristin serves as an Assistant Principal, where she supports innovative and meaningful learning experiences for both students and teachers. She is dedicated to helping educators strengthen instruction and create engaging classrooms where all students can thrive.