Submitted by Sarah Gesell, Archivist, Assistant Librarian, Moran Upper School Library, The Kinkaid School
The Astrodome has been a longstanding landmark in Houston, TX, serving as a venue first for baseball, then other sports, and a wide range of entertainment and political programs. This lesson uses primary source materials drawn from the Astrodome Memory Project and the Library of Congress Primary Source Analysis Tool to teach students how to study and analyze primary sources as well as how to identify specific topics for more detailed research.
For older students, more and more complex materials may be used. Older students will be faster at reading through longer textual materials and also be capable of forming greater connections between multiple sources. Older students could additionally be asked to brainstorm other potential sources they could use to supplement these materials or the topic.
Time Frame
One 40 minute class period.
Audience
This lesson was original conceived and used with 7th grade. It can easily be modified, however, for older or younger students.
Learning Objectives
- Students will study visual and textual primary resources and make note of key details.
- Students will draw conclusions about their specific event or topic after analyzing primary sources.
- Students will collaborate with other students in their analysis of the primary sources.
- Students will verbally articulate their observations, conclusions, and questions after the study period has ended.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to examine and analyze primary resources.
- Students will learn how to reach conclusions based on primary sources.
- Students will learn how to identify specific topics for more detailed research.
- Students will be able to organize their thoughts and conclusions based on their research.
- Students will learn about the history of the Astrodome.
Modifications
This lesson can be easily modified for younger and older students.
For younger students, use only a single visual primary resource. Look for detailed or unusual materials that will engage students. Work more directly with student groups or instead have the entire class make suggestions for each column and inscribe their answers someplace the students will see.
For older students, more and more complex materials may be used. Older students will be faster at reading through longer textual materials and also be capable of forming greater connections between multiple sources. Older students could additionally be asked to brainstorm other potential sources they could use to supplement these materials or the topic.
astrodome-memories example-metadata-for-astrodome-memories primary_source_analysis_tool
-Lesson submitted by Sarah Gesell, Archivist, Assistant Librarian, Moran Upper School Library, The Kinkaid School