PD Module 2
Overview
Welcome to Module 2 of the Teaching Iowa History professional development series. This module explores the value of using primary sources to teach Iowa history in the classroom and provides an overview of the Teaching Iowa History primary source database. You can complete the module by watching, reading, and doing the activities below.
Watch
This video introduces the module and talks about the value of teaching with primary sources.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JKUJdgXs_G0
Read & Do
The resources below were used to inform the video presentation. Take time to read both, you will find yourself returning to them again and again. Once you have read the publications, get to know the Teaching Iowa History primary source database by completing the activity.
- Engaging Students with Primary Sources(link is external), The Smithsonian
This resource presents approaches and strategies for integrating a variety of primary sources into lessons.
- Teaching Yourself to Teach with Objects,(link is external) John Hennigar Shuh
In this chapter, Shuh presents approaches and strategies for integrating a variety of primary sources into your teaching practice. It also includes a useful observation activity that can help students (whatever age) develop critical observation skills.
This activity will introduce you to the Teaching Iowa History primary sources and get you thinking about how to include them in your lessons.
References & Resources
- Teaching Iowa History Primary Source Database
- Teaching Iowa History Lesson Plans
- 1850's Surveyor Kit, Iowa Public Television Time Travel Iowa series
Resources focused on how to teach with primary sources:
- The University of Iowa Museum Studies Program Teaching with Object Videos. These videos developed by museum studies students present best practice pedagogy for using primary sources in the classroom.
- Smithsonian's History Explorer
Museums Featured in the Video #2:
- African American Museum of Iowa- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Dover Museum - New London, Iowa
- Grout Museum District - Waterloo, Iowa
- Heartland Museum Foundation- Clarion, Iowa
- Linn County Historical Society- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Muscatine Art Center- Muscatine, Iowa
- Thoresen Museum of Pharmacy - Algona, Iowa
- Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - Decorah, Iowa