Archives activities

Photo Analysis Activity

Agenda

• Overview of OnView, including archival silences discussion (20 minutes)
• Photograph analysis activity (40 minutes)
  • Individual and small group analysis of material
  • Reporting out to larger group
  • Discussion of larger themes
• Wrap-up and Q&A (5 minutes)

Learning Outcomes

Activity

Take 20-25 minutes to think about the following questions when looking through your photos:

• Start by listing the things you see in your photo (chart below)
• Who took the photos? Why? When?
• What do you think the topic of the photo is? Any other conclusions you can make based on what’s captured?
• What does your photo add to the historical record that couldn’t be found elsewhere?
• What other primary source materials would you want to look for at the WVRHC to research the photos more?

People
Objects
Activities
Spaces

Think-Pair-Share Activity

On your own, look through the material at your seat. Questions to consider when reviewing your material:

• Describe the physical attributes:
  • What are the first things you notice?
  • Is it handwritten/handmade?
  • Is it printed?
• Who created the item?
• When did they create it?
• Why did they create it?
• Who is the intended audience?
• How does it fit into your understanding of the subject matter?

After 20 minutes analyzing your material, talk with your partner to compare and contrast your assemblage of material. Designate a recorder, who will write down your group’s findings, and a speaker, who will report out to the larger group. We'll talk about larger themes found in the material and how they relate to your class and the research process.

Pre-Session Activity/Remote asynchronous activity

This activity is a short introduction to primary source literacy and the WVRHC. It can be used in advance of a session at the WVRHC or as a stand-alone activity.

Primary Sources research skills activity