What Primary Sources Teach: Lessons for Every Classroom

In What Primary Sources Teach: Lessons for Every Classroom, authors Jen Hoyer, Kaitlin H. Holt, and Julia Pelaez with Brooklyn Public Library describe their successful collaborative education program, Connections, present a thoroughly developed, interesting, accessible approach to incorporating work archival materials into classrooms. As an educator who often works marginalized students, I found that this book offers useful resources connect archival, primary sources students classrooms of all ability levels experiences.The Library's stated mission is “ensure the preservation transmission society's knowledge, history culture, provide people free open access information education, recreation reference.”1 The note “[m]ost Brooklyn's 2.7 million residents live within half-mile BPL branch.” institution's vision its support diversity, equity, inclusion are central work. This illustrated throughout Connections programs seek highlight various types topics sources. All welcome in archives.Classrooms where school-based originated described as populated by primarily low-income fourth- through twelfth-grade projects center research on local topics. book's introduction cites reach program at almost 18,000 since it began 2007 (p. x). true community resource, underscores importance part students' education. These come from community—1952 newsprint clippings Eagle about Jackie Robinson's music foundation, maps borough, photograph stained-glass window Plymouth Church—and inviting schoolchildren use these enables them see themselves reflected record. strong resource educators wanting incorporate or, more specifically, lessons archives model can be used beyond communities. Archivists follow framework developed engage records.The ready-made toolkit will especially those new teaching documents; provides source instruction put immediate classroom few or no changes. include examples some interesting documents held Center History; addition previously mentioned, there political cartoons newspaper, connecting place names taken Native communities, ephemera restaurant references end Prohibition. offer different exercises teach document analysis such understanding bias historical developing question. Handwritten transcriptions remove barriers between written cursive penmanship could difficult modern reader decipher. small details incorporated work's focus accessibility, which view crucial welcoming abilities archives. wide variety records presented expands engagement—visual may ways than text does. Including helps ways. For example, reading culinary offerings menu “Subscription Dinner Ladies” Montauk Club one opportunity discussion, while considering stylized illustration allows additional conversation. “Question Stem Flashcards” who, what, where, when, why, how questions 86) guide dialogue around both example wider instruction. referencing? How does change what we know menu? scaffold class discussion source.I do not believe hyperbole experts field. Collectively, they have worked several organizations known strength programming outreach practical experience historiography using “About Authors” section authors' interest “dialogue affects individuals identity larger communities” 169) mentions received awards innovation roles Accessibility Committee 170). evident thoughtful lesson plans acknowledgment scaffolding engaging materials. One gains certain comfort expertise familiarity collection fosters easy visitors introduced imagine participated benefited under direction authors. recommendations collections allow same replicated one's own repositories.As mention foreword, benefit setting limited study social studies. Archival STEM exploration, inspire original interpretations art, context creative writing. construction Bridge allowed discuss engineering students. think critically evaluate sources—a fundamental skill informed citizen.The cite accessibility goal project book. work, afterthought but equal partner consideration communities served. thoughtfully issues every exercise present. While wonderful perhaps equally important archives, should consider only academic credentials higher degrees. thread woven speaks K–12 abilities. note, “choosing reflect diverse range cultural experiences—most essentially your audience—provides highly effective entry understanding” 3). If empowered space them, barrier student broken down, future encounters documents. Students feel confident analyzing interacting specialized differentiation allows, define “a process involves assessing creating meets unique set needs” 1). Via differentiation, struggling asked rather textual document. then gain interpretation. It too far leap introducing day pay dividends continuing profession.Further suggests awareness diversity learning adapting supporting list ask prior working classes; individual needs. am sure knowledge would bolster experiences always realistic expect teacher answers due time restraints restrictions. seem acknowledge when write, “Knowing dynamics ahead has dual assisting preparation pivoting spot needs become apparent moment” 4). well anyone been charged commanding attention children, particularly whom just establishing relationship. must read room able course accordingly depending resonate expected. planning essential, so flexibility. strategies real during lesson, moving group if best best-case scenario, person leading information; yet case. Teachers tell museum available field trips extensive conversations visit, challenge face whether long-term short-term projects.As introduction, however, “One need degree deliver collections-based and/or invite spaces” ix). provided serve tool novice across experience. term “educator” refer although, reinforces, archivists, curators, managers, teachers. aligns national standards suggestions looking closely curricula value early career cannot overstated, pedagogy span careers.Perhaps feels unnecessary index review, included itself. Much like plans, jumping off point research. another project—a cohesive service classroom.What Classroom presents robust inclusive, program. Through book, readers learn tools sources, receive brought directly use, ideas fields. valuable professional, separately instances two overlap sometimes merge. many us roadmap and, hope, beyond.