Detectives of Time Slides Detectives of Time
How do we solve the mysteries of the past?
Our Compelling Question
How has life in Iowa changed over the years, and how do we know?
Think about your own community. What looks different today than it did for your grandparents?
What is a History Detective?
They Look for Clues
Detectives find objects, photos, and stories from long ago to learn what happened.
They Ask Questions
Who lived here? What did they do? Why did things change?
You are a Detective now!
Clue Type 1: Primary Sources
The "First" Sources
These clues come directly from the time being studied. Someone who was actually there made them!
Examples:
Old photographs
Diaries or letters
Tools and clothing
Oral histories (interviews)
Historical Photo Placeholder
An old photo of a family in Iowa in 1900.
Clue Type 2: Secondary Sources
The "Second" Sources
Modern Textbook Placeholder
A history book written last year about the past.
These clues are created later by people who were NOT there. They use primary sources to write them.
Examples:
Textbooks
Encyclopedias
History websites
Biographies
Detective Challenge
A letter written by a girl in Iowa in 1860.
PRIMARY?
A video made yesterday about how Iowa was settled.
SECONDARY?
Talk with your partner!
Detectives of Time Facilitation Guide Facilitation Guide
Lesson 1: Detectives of Time
30 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will be able to distinguish between primary and secondary sources of information and explain their role as "history detectives" in investigating Iowa's past.
Materials Needed
Detectives of Time Slides
History Detective Worksheet
Mystery Clue Bag (Optional: actual artifacts like an old photo, a toy, a modern book)
Pencils and Clipboards
Standards Alignment
SS.2.11: Compare perspectives from the past to the present using pictures, texts, and stories.
C3 Framework: D1.2.2. Identify disciplinary concepts and ideas associated with a compelling question.
Lesson Pacing
5 MIN
The Hook: Mystery Box
Show students a "Mystery Bag." Pull out an old photo and a new history book. Ask: "If I want to know exactly what it was like 100 years ago, which of these is the most 'direct' clue?" Introduce the idea of being a History Detective.
10 MIN
Direct Instruction: Clue Types
Use the Detectives of Time Slides to define Primary and Secondary sources.
Primary: "First-hand" (the witness).Secondary: "Second-hand" (the reporter).
10 MIN
Activity: Detective Sort
Students complete the History Detective Worksheet . They will look at different "clues" and determine if they are primary or secondary. Encourage partners to "debate" their evidence.
5 MIN
Wrap Up & Share
Ask: "Why do detectives need BOTH types of sources?" Discuss how primary sources give feelings/details, while secondary sources give the "big picture." Preview Lesson 2 (Photos).
Pro Detective Tips
Key Discussion Prompts
"If you found a diary under your bed from 50 years ago, is that primary or secondary? How do you know?"
"Why might a primary source (like a letter) sometimes be hard for a detective to read or understand?"
Common Misconceptions
Misconception:
Students think all old things are primary sources.
Clarification:
Explain that a history book written 100 years ago about 200 years ago is still secondary!
Misconception:
Students think primary sources are "better."
Clarification:
Help them see that secondary sources help us understand the context of primary sources.
Success Criteria
By the end of this lesson, a student should be able to point to an object and say, "This is a primary source because it was made at that time by someone who was there."
History Detective Log Worksheet Detective Source Log
Detective:
Date:
Your Mission: A detective must know where their clues come from! Look at each "clue" below and decide if it is a Primary Source or a Secondary Source .
An old photograph of an Iowa farm from 1890.
Primary
Secondary
A history book about Iowa written last year.
Primary
Secondary
A letter from a pioneer to their family back east.
Primary
Secondary
A website video explaining how Iowa became a state.
Primary
Secondary
Detective Challenge: My Own Clue
Think of an object in your house or classroom. Draw it and tell us if it would be a Primary or Secondary source if someone found it in 100 years!
What is it?
It will be a...
Primary
Secondary
Because...
History detectives look for evidence everywhere!
