Thinking Outside the Box

Students need to practice analyzing historical records, interrogating the sources for information, and thinking about alternate sources to cross-reference information. This exercise is a combination of examination and brainstorming. I often adapt this activity to suit the course and needs of the professor.

Audience: Undergraduate or graduate students, any discipline.

Objectives:

• work with original documents, focus on one document
• think about gaps in the records and how to find more information
• testing sources for bias

Ingredients:

• original records related to the subject of the class
• finding aids that correlate to the records
• question sheet handout

Method:
Preparation: 20 minutes
Exercise: 30 minutes

1. Explain the exercise. The instructions are for each student to look through the boxes, select one item, examine that item, and then complete a sheet of questions.

2. Give the students time to explore the contents of the box without having the questions. [I found out that circulating the sheet after the students looked through the boxes was best, otherwise, they picked up the first item and worked through the sheet without enjoying the box.]

3. Circulate the sheet of questions, which asks for:

What is the title and date of the item?
Who is the author of the item?
Is the author an individual or an organization?
How could you find out more about the author?
Why was this source created?
What guesses (inferences) can you make from this item?
What are some important facts you learned from this source?
What else do you want to know about this item?
What would you ask the author if you were able to meet her/him?

4. Open the discussion for each student to share what they found in boxes and to discuss the following:

What other sources might help answer the questions above?
Where else can you find more information?