Super Teacher Worksheets

Primary and Secondary Sources

Teach your students how to determine whether a resource is a primary or secondary source with these worksheets. Printable PDFs also cover evaluating the reliability of different sources.

Super Teacher Worksheets

Primary Sources

This anchor chart breaks down the acronym SOAPS, which stands for Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject. For each word, the chart shows several questions that can be useful to ask when analyzing primary sources.
4th and 5th Grades
aAnalyze Primary Sources with S.O.A.P.S<br>Anchor Chart
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The acronym HIPPO can be a helpful way to remember what to consider when analyzing primary sources. It stands for Historical Context, Intended Audience, Purpose, Point of View, and Outside Information. This anchor chart shows questions that should be asked with each part of the acronym.
4th and 5th Grades
aAnalyze Primary Sources with H.I.P.P.O<br>Anchor Chart
This anchor chart includes a definition and examples of primary sources. It also reminds the reader to ask if the creator was present to see or experience the event to determine if a source is primary.
4th and 5th Grades
aPrimary Sources Anchor Chart

Secondary Sources

This anchor chart has helpful information about secondary sources, including explanations, examples, and the tip to always ask if the creator is commenting on another source.
4th and 5th Grades
aSecondary Sources Anchor Chart

Both Primary & Secondary Sources

This worksheet includes a detailed explanation for students to read about primary and secondary sources. After reading the text, they will determine whether 10 examples of sources are primary or secondary.
4th and 5th Grades
aPrimary and Secondary Sources
This printable worksheet gives definitions for both primary and secondary sources. It then asks students to give examples of useful primary and secondary sources for specific topics. Students will also discuss the limitations of each type of source.
4th and 5th Grades
aUsing Primary & Secondary Sources
This worksheet lists 15 specific examples of sources. Students must determine and identify whether each source is primary or secondary.
4th and 5th Grades
aIdentify Primary and Secondary Sources
Cut out the 18 source cards. Read them and sort into two groups: primary or secondary sources. Then glue or tape them each into the correct column on the t-chart.
4th and 5th Grades
aPrimary and Secondary Sources Sort (Cut & Paste)
This printable anchor chart is perfect for reminding students of the differences between primary and secondary sources. It includes examples of each type of source, definitions, and questions to ask to determine which type of source something is.
4th and 5th Grades
aPrimary vs. Secondary Sources Anchor Chart

See Also:

Social Studies Index

Check out our full collection of social studies worksheets here.

ELA Index

Our ELA collection includes articles and biographies that make excellent examples of secondary sources, as well as resources to help students practice writing essays where they may need to use these sources.

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Common Core Alignment
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