Entry 6

I liked the idea that the Junior Detectives: Teaching with Primary Sources reading talked about. I think it is a great way to get students engaged in history and thinking. They get to play the role of a detective but also of a historian. Sometimes historians have to put pieces together with little evidence. They have to ask questions and search for answers. The students had to examine the sources, consider perspectives and make connections as well as a conclusion using the evidence. They gave students it seems primarily photographs with the person and date. I liked this because the students have to use their observation skills to solve the mystery as opposed to searching in the text for the answer. I remember growing up I liked learning about history but when it came to assignments they were easy. They really just consisted of sometimes searching for the answer in the text. The questions the teacher posed to the students I felt were good because it got them thinking without giving away the answer. They also could have led to a whole class discussion about what they think their job is or why they were imprisoned. It did not say their grade level but I would also think that this would help activate prior knowledge.

With Kindergarten I never thought of introducing primary sources. I think because I think its for older kids I never thought of it. After reading the article though if I ever am in a Kindergarten class I would definitely have them practice observing primary sources. Kids are so curious and observant at that age that they would really enjoy it and they would be engaged. I agreed with the fact that touching the images helps them make sense of everything. At that age I feel they need a lot of hands on to make connections. Not only connections, but their observations and what they think. I really enjoyed this article. It reminded me not to set limits on my students because of their age.