Primary Sources and Comparison

We often use primary sources as the evidence students then use to compare two places/peoples/perspectives or whatever it is being compared. These sources can be anything from political cartoons, to propaganda posters, to speeches, or photographs. I find images to be really helpful especially when working with my general education students because their is less of a focus on reading. We can focus more on the source and then using it to compare. 

I feel that before using primary sources to compare it is important to have students practice with less difficult sources and have a good understanding of what we want in their comparisons. The first time students compare in my world history class is comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic, which does not have a lot of primary sources available. So my students read stories set in the two eras and find the differences/similarities. Using this practice later in the year when we are comparing Sparta and Athens primary sources are added in and students are able better compare. I find that working up to using primary sources is what helps student grasp the skill a little better.