Room 12 Illustrates the Importance of Primary Sources

In 5th and 6th grade, we've been talking about first-hand, or primary, sources, and the importance of eyewitness accounts and original documents in research. The students saw how a message can be distorted as it passes through different interpretations by playing a couple of games. First, we did "Telephone." Then, we did a written version:

• Step 1: Write an adjective and a noun at the top of a piece of paper. Pass it to the left.
• Step 2: Draw an illustration of the adjective and noun that your neighbor just handed to you.
• Step 3: Fold down the paper so that only your drawing is showing. Pass it to the left.
• Step 4: Write an adjective and noun to describe the drawing that your neighbor just handed to you.
• Step 5: Fold down the paper so that only your words are showing. Pass it to the left.

And so on.

Here are some of the results:

Huge building > Tiny city

Wet dog > Big foot

Evil monkey > Fat cat

Ugly foot > Screaming man

Big bug > Headless spider

Huge turtle > Mad worm

Giant fish > Spiky star

Smelly tire > Huge taco

Note: You can download a PDF of the template we used. You can also buy a version of this game called Telestrations.