Lessons in American History Using Primary Sources
A Series of Webquests
By Laura Thompson
Contents
Suggestions for Completing the UPS
Exercises
These UPS Exercises address several aspects of the
Illinois Learning Standards. By completing these exercises, students will:
·
Understand
political systems, the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups
in the political systems, United States foreign policy as it relates to other
nations and international issues and the development of United States political
ideas and traditions. (ILS 14)
·
Understand how
social and political systems impact economic systems. (ILS 15)
·
Understand
events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the
United States and other nations. (ILS 16)
·
Understand world
geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the
United States. (ILS 17)
·
Understand social systems,
compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the
arts, traditions and institutions; understand the roles and interactions of
individuals and groups in society. Understand how social systems form. (ILS 18)
These UPS exercises are designed to help students
become critical thinkers by thinking as a historian and learning to write
competently by using primary sources. They will examine real evidence about
important questions in history. They will evaluate this evidence against what
they already know in order to reach a conclusion. The process of evaluation,
analysis, and synthesis reflects what historians do. Some of the primary
sources included are graphics, maps, charts, political cartoons, poems, songs
as well as documents. Learning to look at something critically and interpret
its meaning and impact are vital skills for the life-long learner.
Writing an essay to each UPS exercise will enable
students to improve their higher order thinking skills. They will learn to
detect bias, to weigh evidence, and to develop logical conclusions. This
process will guide them to express their ideas in a clear, thoughtful,
persuasive essay.
Each UPS exercise has three parts. Part A is an
examination of various documents. Part B is centered on a question which helps
the student make connections between the documents examined. The third part is
to compose an essay based on the driving question. The
driving question is shown in the beginning of the UPS exercise.
Suggestions for completing each UPS Exercise
·
Carefully read
the driving question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How
would you answer the driving question if you had no documents to examine?
·
Read each
document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that address the driving
question. You may also wish to use the margin or post-its
to make notes. Answer the questions that follow each document before moving on
to the next document.
·
Based on your own
knowledge and on the information found in the documents, formulate a thesis
that directly answers the driving question.
·
Organize
supportive and relevant information into a brief outline.
·
Write a
well-organized essay proving your thesis. You should present your essay
logically. Include information both from the documents and from your own
knowledge beyond the documents.
·
Introductory
paragraph – Take a stand on the question. Respond to all parts of the question.
Develop your thesis. To what degree is it true? Provide background and explanation
and definitions of terms used in the driving question. Introduce topics you
will discuss in the body of the paragraph.
·
Body paragraphs –
Use a separate paragraph for each topic, issue, or argument. Include specific
examples to support generalization or to make distinction. Cite specific
evidence for the documents, but avoid long quotations. Integrate information
for the documents and from your knowledge in your essay.
·
Concluding
paragraph – Restate your position and main ideas that you presented in your
essay.