Primary Sources & Evidence Based Essays: Transportation

How has transportation changed over time? This lesson introduces primary aged students to evidence based writing, similar to the Document Based Question (DBQ) approach. In this multi-day unit, young students will analyze primary sources to determine how transportation has changed over time. Students will apply their analysis of the documents to construct a thesis statement and draft an evidence based essay. In this unit, the primary sources students will examine are photographs. Photographs are filled with details and enable students to begin thinking analytically and critically despite limited reading skills. Although this unit was created for young students (kindergarten, first and second), it is also excellent for older students who are struggling to read complex text, but are ready to begin thinking critically and compare different sources. By isolating higher level thinking skills from reading itself, students will not be left behind while trying to develop their reading skills. This is an excellent Social Studies unit which supports Common Core English Language Arts (ELA). This 21 page resource includes, background rationale, detailed lessons, examples, reproducibles, a rubric, and links to additional resources. Created by MaryBeth Grecsek