Differentiated Source Analysis Template Bundle

Four Source Analysis Templates for Students of History

**Overview: **

These source analysis templates were designed with the latest pedagogical research on historical thinking in mind as each template provides students with the ability to understand not only the importance of source material when studying history but a variety of skills that must be used when doing so (such as identification, contextualisation and corroboration).

About the templates:

Wineburg Method of Primary Source Analysis: Designed from Sam Wineburg’s research this template asks students to go through the steps historians use when researching (sourcing, contextualising, close reading and corroboration) by answering a series of questions.

VanSledright’s Method of Primary Source Analysis: Designed from Bruce VanSledright’s research this template asks students to answer a series of questions allocated to the four stages of source analysis as identified by VanSledright in his research (identification, attribution, judging perspectives and reliability assessment).

The 7 C’s Method (modified from the ubiquitous 6 C’s method): This method was designed so that students methodically unpack the key components of a source through a series of themed questions. The 7 C’s include: Content, Citation, Context, Connections, Communication, Contribution & Corroboration.

The O.R.I Method: Designed from my use in the classroom for historical inquiry this method examines three stages of source analysis common in the classroom: Observation (focusing on close analysis of the source), Reflection (focusing on generating hypotheses about the source), Identification (focusing on identifying key aspects of the source).

Why four templates?

Each template differs due to the varying level of analysis required for particular activities and due to the differing learning styles of our students.

**Can I use them for assessment? **

Each template also comes with a list of curriculum content descriptors from the US, UK, Australian and Victorian curriculum’s for easy reporting.

**Anything else? **

Instructions on how to use each template as well as the pedagogy behind each template can be found in each document. For a more detailed explanation check out my blog post #2.

Embedded Historical Thinking Concepts & High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS):

Chronology
Historical Significance
Sources as Evidence
Historical Perspectives
Collaborative Learning
Explicit Teaching
Questioning

For more detail on the above elements please read my Historical Thinking guide & High Impact Teaching Strategies guide on my website.

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