Primary Sources A collection of resources

Firsthand accounts of an event or original documents are considered primary resources. Primary sources are excellent sources of information.

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

By Lauren Ayube

Leon Leyson was just shy of ten years old when the Germans invaded Krakow, Poland, where he lived with his parents and siblings. For Leon and his family, 1939 was the start of several years of misery, starvation, torment, inconceivable inhumanity, and loss. The Boy on the Wooden Box is an important memoir of a boy who survived the most horrific time in world history.

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Lesson Plans by Bridget Baudinet

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass was written by Frederick Douglass himself and published in 1845. Over 250 years later, the narrative still remains a powerful work, both for the vivid window it provides on the practice of slavery in the American South and for its eloquent defense of human rights.

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Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

Begun in 1630 and completed in 1647, William Bradford’s account of the Pilgrims’ journey, survival, and flourishing in the New World is considered by historians to be one of the most accurate historical accounts of the Plymouth Colony.

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The General History of Virginia by John Smith

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

Captain John Smith was many things: an adventurer, a decorated soldier, an explorer, a conqueror, a poet, a mapmaker, and an author. The General History of Virginia (originally The Generall Historie of Virginiais) detailed history of the planters’ years in Jamestown from 1607-1609.

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Speech in the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

Henry’s speech is one of the most famous of the time, as it ends with one of the most famous ultimatums ever delivered: “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

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First 10 Amendments: The Bill of Rights

Lesson Plans by Matt Campbell

With the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791, Americans were guaranteed specific rights and liberties that would protect their individualism and freedom and limit the power of government. These activities allow students to display their knowledge of what the Bill of Rights is and how it impacts their daily lives.

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Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Lesson Plans by Anna Warfield

The Holocaust is one of the blackest periods in world history. Anne Frank was a Jewish girl whose family tried to escape persecution and imprisonment by hiding in secret rooms. Anne kept a diary of her experience in the “Secret Annex” that shows the difficulties the Franks faced, as well as courage, wisdom, and hope in the face of adversity.

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Night by Elie Wiesel

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

Night is an autobiographical story, depicting Elie Wiesel's survival of the Holocaust as a young boy. In his memoir, he discusses growing up as a devout Jewish boy, and continues the novel through his time spent in Auschwitz, a notorious Nazi concentration camp. Engage students with our premade activities and storyboards.

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Lesson Plans by Matt Campbell

Thomas Paine's political pamphlet, Common Sense, was an enormously impactful document of the Revolutionary Era. It stoked the fires of revolution and provided intellectual ammunition to revolutionaries across the colonies. Learn more and engage students with premade activities with Storyboard That!

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The Declaration of Independence: A Primary Source Analysis

Lesson Plans by Richard Cleggett and Kristy Littlehale

American independence begins not only with war and protest, but the Declaration of Independence itself. Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, the Declaration is one of the most important and defining documents of our nation’s beginning. Learn more and engage students with premade activities and storyboards with Storyboard That.

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Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" challenged the complacent attitudes of the local clergymen during the Civil Right’s movement, as Martin Luther King, Jr. sat in a jail cell for his peaceful protests against injustice. Teach your students all about this important letter with Storyboard That!

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Emancipation Proclamation: A Primary Source Analysis

Lesson Plans by Richard Cleggett

The Emancipation Proclamation is an important document for students to study and understand in in relation to American History. Engage students and learn more with Storyboard That!

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I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lesson Plans by Elizabeth Pedro and Kristy Littlehale

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is a powerful message to the African American community to be strong and persevere during a time of great inequality in the United States.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Primary Sources

What are primary sources?

Primary sources are original documents or artifacts created during the time period being studied. Examples of primary sources include diaries, photographs, letters, speeches, and government documents. These sources are often used by historians to understand the context of a particular event or time period.

Why are primary sources important for teaching history?

Primary sources provide a direct connection to the past and offer insight into the thoughts and experiences of people who lived during a particular time period. They help students develop critical thinking and analysis skills by encouraging them to interpret and evaluate historical information.

What are some best practices for using primary sources and storyboards in the classroom?

Teachers should select primary sources that are appropriate for the age and skill level of their students, and provide context and background information as needed. Students should be encouraged to analyze and evaluate primary sources critically, and to use them to support their own arguments or ideas. Teachers should also provide clear guidelines and expectations for storyboard assignments and provide feedback and support as needed.