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'Iolani School Archives: Cook Voyages

The ‘Iolani School Archives collects, organizes, preserves and provides access to historical records of ‘Iolani School.

 


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Teaching with Primary Sources

*Also see the Teaching and Primary Sources box in the Links tab of this guide.

Photographs / Images - Visual Literacy

Photograph Based Questions - Examining Primary Sources:

  • What do you see? / What do you notice?
  • What is the same as ___ (now, your classroom, etc.)?
  • What is different?
  • What seems important?
  • What seems unusual?
  • What do you think is happening in the photo?
  • What questions do you have about this photo?
  • What questions do you have for the person who took the photo?

                Content disclaimer

Cook Voyages

4th Grade Faculty!

Following the Captain Cook voyages classroom unit that is part of the 4th grade history of Hawai'i curriculum, students have the opportunity to visit the 'Iolani School Archives to view observations made by the crew. Students will be introduced to primary source images, encouraged to make observations, and analyze. The experience will improve visual literacy and introduce archives as a type of information resource.
The following is primarily intended to complement your existing teaching units.

 

Grade: 4

 

Location: 'Iolani School Archives

 

Introduction Talking Points:
The Archivist will begin a discussion centered around introducing the students to the concept of an archive and archival collections.
The conversation will grow organically based on student responses with the goal of touching upon the following:

  • What is an archive?
  • What is a primary source?
  • How is history passed on?
  • Longevity of materials.

 

Closed Stacks Experience:
Students will have the opportunity to go into the closed stacks which is a controlled environment space. They will be encouraged to notice the difference in feeling of temperature and all the special boxes.

 

Viewing of the 1785 Cook Atlas:
A Voyage To The Pacific Ocean, Undertaken For Making Discoveries In The Northern Hemisphere. Performed Under The Direction Of Captains Cook, Clerke, And Gore, In His Majesty's Ships The Resolution And Discovery; In The Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, And 1780.
This oversize, 2nd edition (1785) atlas volume includes Captain Cooks third (last) voyage. It includes maps and visual observations drawn by voyage artist John Webber.
The Archivist will show select pages of the atlas and lead the students in discussion.
Discussion points:

  • Artist (drawing) vs photographer
  • Map plotting path, dates, written observations ex: "seagull seen"
  • Spelling of place names- What does that say about communication?
  • Observations related to clothing; transportation; etc.

 

Followup:
After viewing the atlas volume, student will complete the following place names matching activity.

Learning Objectives- Cook Voyages

Cook Voyages
Grade: 4

Learning Objectives:

1. Conceptualize
A. Distinguish primary from secondary sources for a given research question. Demonstrate and understanding of the interrelatedness of primary and secondary sources for research.
B. Articulate what might serve as primary sources for a specific research project within the framework of an academic discipline or area of study.

2. Find and access
A. Identify the possible locations of primary sources.
D. Understand that historical records may never have existed, may not have survived, or may not be collected and/or publicly accessible. Existing records may have been shaped by the selectivity and medication of individuals such as collectors, archivist, librarians, donors, and/or publishers, potentially limiting the sources available for research.

3. Read, Understand and Summarize
B. Identify and communicate information found in primary sources, including summarizing the content of the source and identifying and reporting key components such as how it was created, by whom, when, and what it is.

4. Interpret, Analyze and Evaluate
C. Situate a primary source in context by applying knowledge about the time and culture in which it was created, the author or creator, its format, genre, publication history, or related materials in a collection.
E. Factor physical and material elements into the interpretation of primary sources including the relationship between container (binding, media, or overall physical attributes) and informational content, and relationship of original sources to physical or digital copies of those sources.
F. Demonstrate historical empathy, curiosity about the past, and appreciation for historical sources and historical actors.


Important Questions

Important Questions in the Study of Primary Sources infographic

(Click to enlarge.)

Thanks for reviewing a draft of
"Important Questions" go to
Dr. Melissa Perkins,
'Iolani School History Faculty
2021 Hawai'i History Teacher of the Year

(Click to enlarge.)

More information - Cook Voyages

Quick Reference

For quick information about
Captain James Cook see
Villiers, Alan John. "James Cook". Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Cook.


Primary Source Item Spotlight


Published Work, Narrative Volumes