Inquiry and Primary Sources

       I was introduced to inquiry-based learning and primary sources when I was an ESL student at Columbia College about the constitution. Before then,  I never know about a primary or secondary resource was. When I was in high school, I was introduced to primary sources at the museum by going to field trips with all of my friends in school but at that time I don't even know what is the point of going to a field trip with school. Until I watched the video about how the difference between a primary source and secondary sources.

As a future teacher, I would introduce my kindergarten students to the primary source of the American flag in the past between 1865-1867. and the present of the American flag. I would use inquiry-construct https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wptvnpr-gFU&feature=youtu.be I would show students a picture of the past American flag and the present one and let them compare between both flags. In the activity, students will learn about an important national symbol: the American flag. Students will analyze an image of an American flag from the post-Civil War era (1865-7) and compare its details (i.e., the stars and stripes) to those of our nation’s flag today. After completing the activity, students will be able to identify the American flag as a national symbol, analyze details of this symbol,l compare two different versions of the American flag.


In conclusion, I experienced some inquire -based leaning when the teacher encouraged us to make observations, ask questions on what we were doing, reflect, and evaluate. I think having a powerful primary source with a hands-on activity where students can understanding the content easily and enjoy the class lesson.