Teaching and Using Document-Based Questions for Middle School

This guide focuses on using Document Based Questions (DBQs) to challenge students to interpret primary sources such as letters, diaries, speeches and other historical records.

Challenge your students to interpret primary sources from American History such as letters, diaries, speeches, and other historical records. Students learn to analyze a wide variety of visual and graphic stimuli such as paintings, photographs, charts, and graphs using Document-Based Questions. Containing sixteen different themes selected from major units that are covered in American History, DBQs help to utilize many of the skills stressed by social studies teachers, and are an excellent tool for assessing student progress. The activities are geared primarily toward middle school students (grades 6-8), but can be adapted easily for use by secondary students.