US History Primary Source DBQ Writing Activities Print & Digital

Step up your U.S. History units with these close readings of 2 paired short high-interest primary source documents, each with an accompanying extended writing template answering a thematic question.

Each kit comes in both printable PDF and digital for Google Slides.

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Included in each Paired Source Writing Kit

• Detailed lesson plans with step-by-step directions
• Suggested answer keys
• Introductory brainstorming and Four Corners discussion protocol
• Concept Definition note-taking sheet
• Two brief excerpts with background information, bolded academic words, guiding questions, and lined space for a written response
• Extended Analysis writing template
• Half-sheet rubric slips for writing response
• Printable PDF and Google Slide versions of all student sheets
• BONUS Skill Sheet: Annotating a Text

Kits included in this Bundle

• Post-Reconstruction Civil Rights: compare Du Bois & Washington arguments for the same goal- equality.
• Gilded Age Wealth: debate if Carnegie’s new ideas on wealth are better for society.
• Conflicting Values of the 1920s: examine the legal and moral arguments over evolution in Tennessee v. Scopes.
• Great Depression: consider Hoover’s commitment to small government, despite the swelling desperation.
• Attitudes about the Great Depression: layer Woody Guthrie’s critique on long-standing beliefs of patriotism.
• Patriotism During World War II: explore the moving ideas of the Four Freedoms that brought the US closer to war.
• Progress & the Great Society: compare JFK's and LBJ's views of government and American society.
• Women's Liberation Movement & the ERA: juxtapose the arguments of 2nd wave feminists with Phyllis Schlafly the fight over the Equal Rights Amendment.

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Tips from my Classroom:

These are one of my go-to lessons for a formative assessment of my students' growing source analysis and writing skills. It's super easy to track growth over the semester and year!

And because it incorporates student voice, close source analysis, and high-level writing all within a one-hour class period, it makes the perfect go-to for observations.

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What Other Teachers are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I'm so happy to have found this for my classroom! Primary sources are SO important in US History!! This is well put together. They're easy for me to adapt for my ESE students, and gives my students the opportunity to practice analyzing primary sources." - Lynn C.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I'm always looking for things that'll link to my students' other classes. This is it!! This is a well-thought-out product. I cannot wait to begin using this. I just know we will have a great time reading, analyzing, and discussing." - Micaela S.

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This listing is for one license for regular, non-commercial classroom use by a single teacher only. Commercial use like online teaching (ex. Outschool) or sharing with other teachers (ex. shared drive, in a Facebook group, in a professional development training) is strictly prohibited.

By purchasing a license to this resource, you have access to all future updates at no cost, available under “My Purchases." Multiple and transferable licenses are available for purchase. PDF files are uneditable, other files have editing abilities, unless otherwise stated. All files are protected under federal copyright laws.

To request a complete terms of use prior to purchase or if you have any questions about this resource, please leave a question below under Product Q&A.