primary and secondary sources

At school we use textbooks to learn about the history of the United States. When we use textbooks, what are we using?

• primary source
• secondary source

Which answer below is a Secondary Source?

• Autobiography

• Photograph

• Diary

• Textbook

A report about the life of Abraham Lincoln written by a 5th grade student

• Primary

• Secondary

I was watching ESPN and one of the reporters said he had heard good reviews about a new sports movie. When he talks about the movie, what is he? 

• primary source
• secondary source

A source created about an event or time-period by someone who was there

• Primary

• Secondary

I go to a play about Christopher Columbus discovering America. What is the play?

• Primary

• Secondary

I found a letter to one of my friends in the locker room after school the other day. I know it’s private, but I want to read it! What is the letter? 

• primary source
• secondary source

An audio recording of an immigrant talking about their experience of Ellis Island.

What is the audio recording in this sentence?

• Primary

• Secondary

Something made about an event or time period by someone who was not there

• Primary

• Secondary

An article about the Civil War written during the Civil War

• Primary

• Secondary