Close observation is crucial to working with primary sources,
but fortunately better observation skills can be just a few
sticky notes away. During this year’s Library of Congress summer
teacher institutes, teachers of all grade and ability levels
discussed ways to engage students in close observation of
primary sources. One easy technique emerged: sticky notes.
Students can press them directly onto a primary source to mark
which details they’re looking at and responding to. They can
easily annotate the primary source. Over time, students can add
to–or respond to–the observations that they or others have made.
Begin by selecting a visual item – a map, photograph, or print.
Ready-made primary source sets offer many quick options. Prepare
to print or display the item. Allow time to let students notice
and build on each others’ observations: “Wow! I didn’t notice
that!” The teachers came up with many ideas to use with this
technique: - Use the wall space in your classroom to develop an
ongoing display. - Display