Social Studies Skills Chapter Notes | Social Studies for JSS 3 PDF Download

Introduction

In Social Studies for 6th grade, we learn important skills to understand history and events. These skills help us explore the past, understand different sources, and think about what happened in a clear way. By studying primary and secondary sources, facts and opinions, timelines, and important historical documents like the Boston Massacre, the Declaration of Independence, and the Gettysburg Address, we become better at understanding how history shapes our world.

Primary and Secondary Sources

• Primary sources are original materials from the time of an event.
  • Examples include letters, diaries, photographs, or speeches made by people who were there.
  • They show what people saw, felt, or thought during the event.
  • Primary sources are like a direct window into the past.
  • They are created by someone who experienced or witnessed the event.
    • Examples: A soldier’s letter from a war or a photo of a historical moment.
• Secondary sources are created after the event by someone who was not there.
  • Examples include history books, articles, or documentaries.
  • They use primary sources to explain or tell the story of the event.
  • Secondary sources give us an overview or analysis of what happened.
  • They are written or made by people who study or research the past.
    • Examples: A textbook chapter about the American Revolution or a video about ancient Egypt.
• Differences between primary and secondary sources:
  • Primary sources are from the time of the event; secondary sources are made later.
  • Primary sources are firsthand accounts; secondary sources are secondhand accounts.
  • Primary sources can be more personal; secondary sources are often more general.
• Why both sources are important:
  • Primary sources give us real details and feelings from the time.
  • Secondary sources help us understand the bigger picture and context.
  • Using both helps us get a complete understanding of history.

Identify Facts and Opinions

• Facts are statements that can be proven true.
  • They are based on evidence or things that really happened.
    • Examples: “The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776” or “The sun rises in the east.”
  • Facts can be checked using sources like books or records.
  • They do not change based on what someone thinks.
• Opinions are statements based on someone’s beliefs or feelings.
  • They cannot be proven true or false.
    • Examples:“The Declaration of Independence is the best document” or “Summer is better than winter.”
  • Opinions can vary from person to person.
  • They often include words like “best,” “worst,” “should,” or “believe.”
• How to tell the difference:
  • Ask: Can this be proven with evidence? If yes, it’s a fact.
  • Ask: Is this someone’s personal view? If yes, it’s an opinion.
  • Look for clue words like “think,” “feel,” or “great” for opinions.
• Why this skill matters:
  • Knowing facts helps us understand what really happened.
  • Understanding opinions helps us see how people feel about events.
  • It helps us think critically about what we read or hear.

Reading and Creating Timelines with BCE and CE

• Timelines show events in the order they happened.
  • They help us understand when things took place and how they connect.
  • Timelines use dates to organize events from earliest to latest.
  • They can show short periods (like one year) or long periods (like centuries).
• BCE stands for “Before Common Era.”
  • It refers to time before the year 1 (no year 0).
  • ​Years count backward: 200 BCE is earlier than 100 BCE.​
    • Example: The Great Pyramid was built around 2600 BCE.
• CE stands for “Common Era.”
  • It refers to time after the year 1.
  • Years count forward:100 CE is earlier than 200 CE.
    • Example: The United States was founded in 1776 CE.
• How to read a timeline:
  • Look at the dates and events in order from left to right.
  • Check if dates are BCE or CE to know the time period.
  • Notice gaps or clusters of events to understand patterns.
• How to create a timeline:
  • Choose the events you want to include.
  • Find the correct dates for each event.
  • Decide the time period (like 1700–1800 CE or 500–100 BCE).
  • Mark events on a line in order, labeling them with dates and descriptions.
  • Use BCE for events before year 1 and CE for events after year 1.
• Why timelines are useful:
  • They show how events are connected over time.
  • They help us see cause and effect in history.
  • They make it easier to remember when things happened.

Source Analysis

The Boston Massacre

• The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • It was a clash between British soldiers and American colonists.
  • Five colonists died, and several were injured.
  • It increased tensions between colonists and the British government.
• Primary sources about the Boston Massacre:
  • Eyewitness accounts from colonists and soldiers.
  • Letters or diaries written by people who were there.
  • Engravings, like Paul Revere’s famous print of the event.
  • Newspaper articles from 1770 describing what happened.
• Secondary sources about the Boston Massacre:
  • History books or articles written later about the event.
  • Documentaries or videos explaining the Boston Massacre.
  • Textbook chapters that summarize the event and its importance.
• How to analyze sources about the Boston Massacre:
  • Check who created the source and when it was made.
  • Think about why the source was created (to inform, persuade, or record).
  • Compare different sources to see if they agree or disagree.
  • Look for facts (like dates or names) and opinions (like who was to blame).
• Why the Boston Massacre matters:
  • It showed growing anger between colonists and British rule.
  • It was used to rally support for the American Revolution.
  • It helps us understand the causes of the fight for independence.

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
  • It was written by Thomas Jefferson and other leaders.
  • It announced that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule.
  • It listed reasons why the colonies wanted independence.
• Primary sources about the Declaration:
  • The original document signed in 1776.
  • Letters between Thomas Jefferson and other leaders like John Adams.
  • Newspaper articles from 1776 about the Declaration.
  • Speeches given by colonists supporting independence.
• Secondary sources about the Declaration:
  • History books explaining the Declaration’s meaning.
  • Articles or videos about its impact on the United States.
  • Textbook sections about the American Revolution.
• How to analyze sources about the Declaration:
  • Read the source to find its main ideas (like freedom or rights).
  • Check who wrote it and why they wrote it.
  • Look for facts (like dates or events) and opinions (like beliefs about government).
  • Compare sources to see different viewpoints (colonists vs. British).
• Why the Declaration matters:
  • It created the United States as a new nation.
  • It introduced ideas about freedom and equal rights.
  • It inspired other countries to fight for their independence.

The Gettysburg Address

• The Gettysburg Address was a speech given by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863.
  • It was given during the Civil War at a cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
  • It honored soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg.
  • It emphasized unity, equality, and freedom for the nation.
• Primary sources about the Gettysburg Address:
  • The text of Lincoln’s speech itself.
  • Newspaper reports from 1863 about the speech.
  • Letters or diaries from people who heard the speech.
  • Photographs of the event or the battlefield.
• Secondary sources about the Gettysburg Address:
  • History books about the Civil War or Lincoln’s life.
  • Articles or documentaries explaining the speech’s importance.
  • Textbook chapters about the Civil War.
• How to analyze sources about the Gettysburg Address:
  • Read the source to understand its main ideas (like unity or freedom).
  • Check who created the source and their purpose.
  • Look for facts (like the date or place) and opinions (like what the speech meant).
  • Compare sources to see how people viewed the speech then and now.
• Why the Gettysburg Address matters:
  • It reminded people of the nation’s values during a time of division.
  • It inspired the fight to end slavery and keep the country together.
  • It is one of the most famous speeches in American history.