The first supporting question, “What was the populist movement in North Dakota?” helps students use research to unwrap the context of the time and topic being examined. Complete the following task using the sources they found to build a context of the time period and topic being examined.
Formative Performance Task 1
Using the outline they already developed, and Featured Source A, students will write a short summary or essay of the populist movement in North Dakota. Who were some key players? What was the Farmer’s Alliance? What did populists hope to accomplish? Did they accomplish what they set out to do?
Featured Sources 1
For this section, students will be required to find some sources themselves. Using school and public library resources, and the internet, they will need to search for secondary sources such as encyclopedias, Wikipedia, and similar sources to provide context to Featured Source A, which is also a secondary source.
Secondary sources are accounts or interpretations of historical events, people, places, and ideas by someone who does not necessarily have firsthand experience of the subject. This is the material that historians and other researchers have written about primary sources and the events, ideas, and people of history. These are the products of historical work including exhibits, websites, documentaries, performances, books, and other publications. When students read or view secondary sources, they should pay careful attention to the bibliography. What sources did the author use? Are they reliable evidence to support their claims? When students read or view secondary sources, they should also explore additional sources, including primary sources, to get an accurate understanding of the context and if the author wrote a valid, accurate, and thoughtful interpretation. What is the author’s historical argument, or thesis statement? Are their claims logical and supported by evidence? Further research of materials and sources can either prove or disprove the students’ argument.
| Source A |