Primary and Secondary Sources (Years 5-6) | CGP Plus - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task is to classify historical sources into primary and secondary categories based on their nature. The definitions provided are:

- Primary Sources: Direct evidence from the time period being studied, such as artifacts, recordings, letters, or diaries.
- Secondary Sources: Interpretations or analyses of primary sources created after the event by someone who was not present during the event.

Solution Approach:

We will analyze each item in the list and determine whether it qualifies as a primary source or a secondary source based on the definitions provided.

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List of Historical Sources:

#### Primary Sources:
1. Letter written by a soldier in World War II
- This is a direct account from someone who lived through the event. It is a primary source.
2. Roman Coin
- A physical artifact from the Roman period, making it a primary source.
3. Replica of a dinosaur bone
- While this is a replica, the original dinosaur bone would be a primary source. However, the replica itself is not a primary source because it is a reproduction.
4. Original recording from The Beatles
- An authentic audio recording from the time of The Beatles, making it a primary source.
5. Anne Frank's diary
- A personal account written during the time of the events described, making it a primary source.
6. Jug discovered by an archaeologist at an Iron Age settlement
- An artifact from the Iron Age, making it a primary source.
7. Egyptian pyramids
- Physical structures built during the time of ancient Egypt, making them primary sources.

#### Secondary Sources:
1. Book from the library about Ancient Egypt
- Written after the time of Ancient Egypt, this is an interpretation or analysis of primary sources, making it a secondary source.
2. A website about Roman history
- Created after the Roman period, this is a secondary source.
3. Newspaper article from the day WWII ended
- Although contemporary with the event, newspaper articles are often interpretations or summaries rather than direct accounts, so they are considered secondary sources.
4. Transcript of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech
- While the speech itself might be a primary source, a transcript is a reproduction and thus a secondary source.
5. A retelling of the Greek myth of Icarus
- A story that has been passed down and retold over time, making it a secondary source.
6. Encyclopedia
- Compiled information from various sources, making it a secondary source.
7. Photo of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation
- While the photo captures a real event, it is a representation and not a direct experience, making it a secondary source.
8. A lesson in school about the Victorians
- An educational resource created after the Victorian era, making it a secondary source.
9. Re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings
- A recreation of an event, not a direct account, making it a secondary source.
10. Castle ruins
- While the ruins themselves are primary sources, the term "ruins" implies they have been interpreted or studied afterward, which could make them secondary in context.

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Classification Table:

Based on the analysis above, here is the completed table:

| Primary | Secondary |
|--------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| Letter written by a soldier in World War II | Book from the library about Ancient Egypt |
| Roman Coin | A website about Roman history |
| Original recording from The Beatles | Newspaper article from the day WWII ended |
| Anne Frank's diary | Transcript of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous |
| | speech |
| Jug discovered by an archaeologist at an Iron | A retelling of the Greek myth of Icarus |
| Age settlement | Encyclopedia |
| Egyptian pyramids | Photo of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation |
| | A lesson in school about the Victorians |
| | Re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings |
| | Castle ruins |

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Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{array}{|c|c|}
\hline
\textbf{Primary} & \textbf{Secondary} \\
\hline
\text{Letter written by a soldier in World War II} & \text{Book from the library about Ancient Egypt} \\
\text{Roman Coin} & \text{A website about Roman history} \\
\text{Original recording from The Beatles} & \text{Newspaper article from the day WWII ended} \\
\text{Anne Frank's diary} & \text{Transcript of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech} \\
\text{Jug discovered by an archaeologist at an Iron Age settlement} & \text{A retelling of the Greek myth of Icarus} \\
\text{Egyptian pyramids} & \text{Encyclopedia} \\
& \text{Photo of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation} \\
& \text{A lesson in school about the Victorians} \\
& \text{Re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings} \\
& \text{Castle ruins} \\
\hline
\end{array}
}