Reflect on Your Practice

In this section, you will reflect on ways that you have examined historical documents with your students. Discuss the following questions with your colleagues or reflect on them in your journal. Use specific examples wherever possible.

1. What are the "must-study" documents that you spend time analyzing with your American history students?
2. Do you include these documents in your curriculum solely because they are dictated by state standards? Do you include other documents in addition to those required by the state? If you include documents beyond those required by the standards, why do you include them?
3. Historical documents are often written using vocabulary or styles that are uncommon in current-day writing. How do you address comprehension issues to help students reach a real understanding of the contents?
4. How do you convey the importance of America's historical documents? How do you make historical documents more accessible and engaging for students?