A pioneer wrote in her journal each night while her family crossed the plains by wagon. Why is this journal a primary source?

The pioneer's journal says her family ate only beans for six days and lost an ox at a river crossing. What does the journal give evidence about?

The pioneer's journal never mentions the Indigenous peoples already living on the land her wagon crossed. What does this tell a reader about the journal as evidence?

A photograph taken in 1905 shows crowded ships and workers unloading wooden crates at a busy port of entry. What can this photograph best give evidence about?

A museum label written today that explains where and when the 1905 harbor photograph was taken is a secondary source.

A mill worker mailed a letter to his sister in 1890 describing his long hours and the noise of the machines. Who made this source, and why?

A fur trader drew a map by hand in 1750 that showed the rivers and trails he had traveled. What does his map give the best evidence about?

At an old village site, diggers found a clay cooking pot with dark burn marks on its bottom. What evidence does this artifact give?

A student asks, "How did children spend their days on a homestead?" The sources are a homestead child's letter to her cousin, a map of homestead claims, a list of railroad stops, and a land office record. Which source would best help?

A book about wagon trains written by a historian in 2020, using old letters and journals, is a ___ source.

One settler's letter calls the valley's first winter mild and easy. Another settler's letter from that same valley and winter calls it bitter and hard. What should a reader do?

A student wants to answer, "What did a pioneer child pack for a trip west?" One source is a diary entry by a pioneer child, one is a modern movie about pioneers, and one is a fiction story about pioneers. Which source would be the best evidence?

Which sentence uses evidence from a source?

True or False: A photograph taken during an event can be used as evidence about that event.

A class reads two sources about the Boston Tea Party. One is a textbook chapter, and one is a letter from a person who saw it happen. Which source is a primary source?

Why should readers look at more than one source when studying a historical event?

A historian wants to support the claim, "The town grew after the railroad arrived." Which detail would best support the claim?

A source says, “The new bridge opened in 1908.” What kind of information is this?

Which question helps you decide if a source is trustworthy?

True or False: Evidence should connect to the question you are trying to answer.