The use of primary sources as texts in the classroom is growing. Teachers realize these vital witnesses provide opportunities to motivate students and improve learning. They bring students closer to the people, places, and events being studied and help students improve content knowledge while building skills. Recent trends in standards, such as Common Core, and the increasing use of the Document-Based Questions also promote primary source use. The strong push to use primary sources in teaching history and social studies creates a need among teachers for more information on what they are and how they can be used effectively in the classroom. Vital Witnesses meets this need by providing teachers with a comprehensive guide to primary sources and their use in the classroom. Primary sources are defined, and the various types are described. Classroom-tested activities and strategies are offered to teachers for addressing the needs of all learners and for accommodating Common Core standards and the C3 Framework for State Social Studies Standards.

"Newman illustrates how to integrate primary sources into K–12 social studies and history curricula. He explains what primary sources are, where they can be found, how they can be incorporated into curricula, and how they accommodate the new Common Core and the C3 Framework social sciences requirements. The first chapter explores the different types of primary sources and points out their strengths and limitations. Chapter 2 shows how to create lesson plans and exercises and how to do assessment when using primary sources such as maps, documents, and songs. The author also explains how primary sources support teaching and learning with document-based questions, special-needs students, and English-language learners. The last chapter illustrates how it is possible to meet the Common Core and the C3 Framework requirements using primary sources and discusses the importance of developing long-term goals to offer a progressive way for students to practice their skills. Overall, the book emphasizes that primary sources can improve the quality of teaching and learning at all levels of education. The book includes a useful bibliography. Easy to read, with many charts and a resource list, this book will help enhance teaching and learning. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners." - CHOICE