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An Introduction to the National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration
Smithsonian Institute
Washington, D. C.
Instructional Unit:
Introduction to records of the National Archives
Curriculum Unit:
Grade 5
General
Objectives:
Provide students with an introduction to research using primary sources form the records
of the National Archives and Records Administration.
1. The student will be able to define (name) the most important documents at the Archives.
- The Declaration
- The Constitution
- The Bill of Rights
2. The students will name six of the written materials, photographs, motion pictures,
sound recordings and tapes, maps, and computer tapes located at the National Archives.
Pre-Visit Activities:
1. The docent will bring facsimiles of a variety of records to school library for
students to read and discuss.
2. Through the use of primary source documents students will have an opportunity to
use how documents may be used to enrich the study of American history and culture.
3. Students will be able to define:
- Archives
- Archivist
- Document
- Record
On-Site Activities:
Parents and others will assist students doing research and listen to self-evaluation
done by the students.
Follow-Up Activities:
Exercise I - National Archives
Exercise I deals with the National Archives itself. Built in the 1930's, it is the
store house for the millions of original documents which are considered to have permanent
value as records of our nation's history. The most famous documents at the archives are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Documents may take the form of written materials, photographs, motion pictures, sound
recordings and tapes, maps, and computer tapes. By law, records are added regularly.
There are so many millions of records that they are measured in cubic feet and are
stored in archival boxes. The most commonly used records have been microfilmed. Records
are available for the public to learn first hand about American history and the people
who made it.
Appendices:
National Archives Worksheet
Bibliography:
none
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