Firsthand vs. Secondhand Accounts

Firsthand vs. Secondhand Accounts

By Factor, Susan

​Standard: 5.T.T.2.c Focus: Point of View + Comparing Accounts

• Have you ever told a story about something that happened to YOU?

• Have you ever told a story you HEARD from someone else?

​Learning Target: I can compare firsthand and secondhand accounts using text evidence

Open Ended

What does it mean to compare?

Success Criteria

I know I am successful when I can:

• Identify firsthand

• Identify secondhand

• compare similarities

• contrast differences

• Use text evidence

What is Point of View?

Point of View = Who is telling the story

Examples:
- "I felt nervous when the fire alarm rang, and my hands started shaking as I lined up with my class."
- "Students felt nervous when the fire alarm rang and lined up quietly with their class."


Which sentence sounds more personal?

Poll

Which sentence sounds more personal?

• I felt nervous when the fire alarm rang, and my hands started shaking as I lined up with my class.

• Students felt nervous when the fire alarm rang and lined up quietly with their class.

Firsthand Account

A firsthand account is told by someone who EXPERIENCED the event.

Clues:
- Uses I, me, and my
- Shares feelings
- Sounds personal

Multiple Choice

If I say, "I felt scared," is that firsthand?

• yes

• no

Secondhand Account

A secondhand account is told by someone who DID NOT experience the event.

Clues:
- Uses they, students, or people
- Shares facts
- Sounds like news

Multiple Choice

If a reporter tells a story, is it firsthand or secondhand?

• firsthand

• secondhand

Factual
Uses "they"
Shares information

​Secondhand

Personal
Uses "I"
Shares feelings

​Firsthand

Compare Firsthand vs. Secondhand

​Read these 2 passages.
They are both about Fire Drills.
The next two slides are the passages.
Read carefully because you WILL answer questions about the texts.

Text 1

The Fire Drill in Our School

Yesterday, our class was working quietly on a reading assignment when the fire alarm suddenly rang. The loud sound surprised me, and my heart started beating fast. I looked around the room and saw some of my classmates covering their ears while others looked confused.

Our teacher calmly told us to stand up, line up at the door, and stay silent. I grabbed my jacket because the weather outside felt cold that morning. As we walked into the hallway, I noticed other classes doing the same thing. Some students whispered to their friends, but most of us stayed quiet like we had practiced before.

When we exited the building, I felt the cold air on my face. I could see teachers checking their class lists to make sure everyone was safe. A few students looked nervous, but others smiled and joked quietly while we waited. I tried to stay calm and remembered that this was only a drill.

After a few minutes, an adult told us it was safe to go back inside. As we walked back to our classroom, I felt relieved and proud that our class followed the rules and stayed together. The drill helped me feel more confident about what to do in an emergency.

Open Ended

Who is telling the story?
Did this person experience the drill?

Text 2

Students Practice Safety During Fire Drill

On Tuesday morning, the school held a fire drill to help students practice important safety procedures. The drill was planned so that students and teachers could review what to do in case of a real emergency.

When the alarm sounded, teachers guided students to line up quietly and exit the building in an orderly way. Students walked through hallways and used designated exit doors to leave the school safely. Staff members supervised the process to make sure all students followed the rules.

Once outside, teachers checked attendance to confirm that every student was present. School administrators observed the drill to see how quickly and safely students responded. The drill lasted several minutes and gave students a chance to practice staying calm and following directions.

School leaders stated that the drill was successful and praised students for cooperating. They encouraged everyone to continue practicing safety routines so they would be prepared if an emergency ever occurred.

Open Ended

Who is telling this story?

Does this sound like a news report?

Poll

Which text was firsthand?

• Text 1

• Text 2

• Not sure

Poll

Which text was secondhand?

• Text 1

• Text 2

• Not sure

Open Ended

Both texts are the same because....

Open Ended

Both texts are different because....

Multiple Choice

Which sentence shows firsthand point of view?

• Students lined up quietly.

• I felt nervous during the drill.

• Teachers guided the class.

• The drill lasted several minutes.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence sounds like a secondhand account?

• My heart started beating fast.

• I felt proud of my class.

• Teachers guided students safely.

• I was scared at first.

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: Which text helped you understand the drill better?