DBQ's

DOCUMENT BASED QUESTIONS (DBQs)

Historical records have value both inside and outside of an archives. One increasingly important use for historical records (also known as primary sources) is in the classroom. Teachers are turning to historical records for use in Document Based Questions (DBQs), as well as other parts of their curriculum.

Historical Records Repositories can (and should) take advantage of the opportunities available through the school system to expand access and use of their collections. Repositories can work on their own, with other organizations, and especially with educators to design and utilize DBQs and other historical records teaching tools. This website hopes to serve as a reference site for organizations and individuals who wish to learn more about creating and using DBQs.

The following is a categorized listing of DBQ resources obtained from the web. These sites do not represent a comprehensive listing of all document-based questions resources, nor is Museumwise responsible for the content of the listings. The sites offer a general guide for teachers, students and organizations to better understand and facilitate the DBQ learning process. Sites are broken down into the following categories:

• Introduction to DBQs
• General Resources
• Resources for Teachers
• Resources for Students
• Resources for Both Students and Teachers Resources for Parents
• Online Projects
• Document Based Lessons
• Further Links to DBQ Information

Please report broken links to info@museumwise.org. For more information on educational uses of historical records visit the New York State Archives website at: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/education/ed_web.shtml

What is a DBQ?

In the simplest terms, a DBQ is an essay question based on a series of "documents"; but it is really much more than that.

"Document-based questions are for all students, from elementary school through high school. They help prepare students to compare and contrast particular issues from multiple perspectives, reconciling differing positions, evaluating the strength of particular arguments, providing authentic opportunities at a high level of thinking, and developing life skills.

Document-based questions are not only for advanced upper-level students and their format does not necessarily have to be a major test. First grade teachers can assess their pupil's abilities to draw information from a photograph on a worksheet or through class discussion.

Using the friendlier concepts of the time capsule or hidden chest, a fifth or seventh grade teacher could present a "newly discovered" historical record trove to a class with questions designed to introduce a unit of study to them.

Document-based questions can also be a part of a more involved performance task, which may also include the production of work other than essays and may include display of student work and discussion of student analysis and evaluation of the document.

[Consider the Source: Historical Records in the Classroom. 1996 The University of the State of New York;The State Education Department; State Archives and Records Administration, Albany NY; pp. 25-26.]

Because DBQs are an integral part of the New York State Learning Standards and are prominently featured on Regents exams, teachers are eager to use them in their classrooms.

Introduction to DBQs

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/germ/neh/gruppe2/principles.html

The Document Based Question Provides an overview of a DBQ, as well as potential documents that can be used in DBQs; included is a link at the bottom of the page, offering more detailed information on the DBQ: http://www.collegeboard.org/ap/history/html/dbq001.html

The Document-Based Question In addition to providing a general DBQ overview, the site includes links to DBQ tutorials, scoring methods, sample student responses and much more.

General Resources

http://www.historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/EHAP-DBQsMainPage.htm

A.P. European History D.B.Q.s Page This site offers DBQ topics, web links and a general "how to" guidelines to the DBQ.

Resources for Teachers

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/dbq/home.html

New York State Social Studies: Document Based Questions A great DBQ reference for teachers. The site divides understanding and applying DBQs into two courses. The first course is a general DBQ overview, while the second course illustrates how to effectively teach with DBQs

http://www.canalmuseum.org/education_programs.htm

D & H Historical Society

This site offers a primary document packet containing documents that date back to the 19th century canal era. Accompanying each document are congruous document based questions. This packet is free to teachers participating in the Museum's school program and is also available for purchase at $10.00 each in the Museum Gift Shop.

http://www.edteck.com/dbq/index.htm

Teaching With Documents

This site serves as a practical guide for teachers who are transitioning to skills-based standards and assessments. http://teachers.dcboces.org/grade5socstassess/dbqpage/dbqpage.html

Professional Development for Document-Based Questions

Features a diagram on how to develop Document-Based Questions.

http://www.nationalhistoryday.org

NHD: National History Day

This site offers lesson plans on how to interpret documents, models of how to teach DBQs and primary resource materials. (Note: click on "Our Documents")

http://womhist.binghamton.edu/teacher/teacherindex.htm

Women and Social Movements in the U.S., 1775-2000 Teacher's Corner

This site makes available lesson plans and ideas for teachers.

http://www.buffalodiocese.org/cathed/ci/Document%20Based%20Questions%20by%20 Dan.pdf

Document Based Questions

A great resource for teachers that offers suggestions on effective ways to approach DBQs, from elementary to high school.

http://pittsford.monroe.edu/programs/instruction/socialstudies/report98/assessments.htm

Developing Assessments: A Guide to Multiple Choice, Constructed Response, Thematic Essays and DBQ Items.

Peter Pappas, a K-12 coordinator for Social Studies Standards, developed this site for the Pittsford Central Schools.

Resources for Students

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listdocumentpa.html

Internet Hot list on Document-Based Questions

This site provides additional links to help students develop the necessary skills to write a successful DBQ.

There is also information on primary resources and guidance with Constructed Response Questions.

http://www.phschool.com/curriculum_support/brief_review/global_history/

Prentice Hall: Social Studies; A Brief Review in Global History

Offers students an opportunity to practice Regent DBQs. Students can then email the answers from their practice test to their teachers. http://www.ccsd.edu/link/LMS/Infolink/primarysource.htm

Primary Sources for DBQs Provides DBQ links, resources and sample questions for students of all ages. http://www.oswego.org/testprep/

NYS Elementary Test Prep Center: Social Studies

From the Oswego City School District, this site allows students to prepare for a DBQ test.

http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/am-ex/writing/five_strategies_for_dbq.htm

Five Strategies for Document Based Questions

This site furnishes a quick and east resource for students to use when preparing for DBQs.

http://www.ccsd.wnyric.org/global/dbq_web_page.htm

Guide to Responding to Document Based Questions

Offers a simple and easy guide to the progression of how to answer DBQs.

http://www.perno.com/history/write.htm

Writing the DBQ Essay: AP U.S. History

This site helps the student step by step in how to write a DBQ.

http://www.thecaveonline.com/APEH/dbqhowto.html

A Guide to Writing a DBQ

A great reference for students writing DBQs.

http://www.vanguard.org/faculty/barber/dbqhelp/htm

DBQ Hints and Helps from the Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco, Texas

A quick reference guide to writing DBQs for high school students.

Resources for Both Students and Teachers

http://www.yorkers.org/index.htm

New York State Historical Association

This site is geared to the fourth and fifth grade to prepare students for the New York State elementary assessment. Among other resources, it offers DBQ examples, as well as effective approaches a student can take to understanding and writing a DBQ

http://www.albanyinstitute.org/resources/muslessons.htm

Albany Institute of History and Art Education: Museum Lessons

Although not a DBQ specific site, AHA's Museum Lessons offers students and teachers the opportunity to explore primary source documents and potential DBQ lesson plans, such the Colonial Era and Ancient Egypt. Each subject offers web resources, activities a glossary and more.

http://www.nysut.org/newyorkteacher/backissues/1999-2000/000223dbq.html

The New York Teacher

A helpful article to students and teachers entitled, "Minding their DBQs: As document-based questions proliferate, here are tips to help students cope." To find more DBQ articles, go to http://www.nysut.org and enter "Document Based Questions" in the search field.

http://caho.columbia.edu/index.html

Columbia American History Online

Features DBQ support and examples, as well as e-seminars and interactive learning tools. Membership is required, but a free trial subscription is offered.

http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/history/teacher/ResEsyDBQ.htm

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

Provides students and teachers research and essay topics, as well as document-based questions. http://womhist.binghamton.edu/teacher/dbqs.htm

Document-Based Questions This site offers a model of an eleventh grade DBQ lesson that can be applied in AP or non-AP classes.

http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students/eurohistory/pov.html

AP European History Questions and Answers about Point of View on the Document-Based Question (DBQ).

A site that helps students prepare for the AP European History Exam. There is also a link provided, which gives examples of Points of View from a 2000 DBQ exam.

Resources for Parents

http://www.nysut.org/standards/101-parents-dbq.html

For Parents: What is a DBQ?

A great resource for parents in understanding and helping their children-from elementary to high school - with document-based questions.

Online Projects

http://www.teachercenter.org/sarahome2.html

Lesson Units Using Documents

A site developed by the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center which includes teaching units using local documents digitized and posted on the website. The lessons can be searched by historical period, grade level, or county.

http://www.iste.org/sigtel/model-projects/

A Collaborative Internet Project For Middle School Students

A site highly recommend by teachers, providing suggestions and ideas to teachers as well as examples of children's Document-Based work.

http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/bellesherman/ESP2001/dbq1.html

Going West--Document-Based Questions

Using documents from the 1830's to 1852, this site shows the process of writing a DBQ essay by Belle Sherman elementary school kids. Part of their DBQ project culminated in three plays of Tompkins County created by the students.

http://www.history teacher.net/AHAP/AHAP-DBQMainPage.htm

DBQs Main Page

This site offers over seventy student and teacher created DBQs, as well as general websites for DBQ research.

http://home.att.net/~coachbb/2001dbqlinks.htm

Student Created DBQ Page 2001: DBQ Period 1920-1970 This site also serves as a great resource for students.

http://www.romecsd.org/Titanic/index.html

Modem Mates Project

An example of a DBQ project geared towards fourth and fifth graders in preparation for the fifth grade Social Studies Assessment.

Document Based Lessons

http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/1898/chimes.pdf

Document-Based Questions Lesson Plan: An Example for the War of 1898

Taken from OAH Magazine of History, (Spring 1998) this site gives an example of a DBQ lesson designed by a high school history class.

http://www.needham.mec.edu/High_School/cur/Kane98/Kane_p6_dbq/DBQ_Index_p6.html

AP History Document Based Questions

Site includes class syllabus and examples of how the class used document based questions.

http://www.bestschools.org/cantiague/dbq.htm

Constructed Response and Document-Based Questions in the Grade Four and Five Social Studies Curriculum

Provides examples of how a school in Jericho, NY used a DBQ program.

http://newdeal.feri.org/asn/lesson00.htm

"Been Here So Long"

A DBQ lesson plan on American slavery.

http://www.globaled.org/curriculum/china/julieseamus/dbq%20documents.pdf

Influence of Different Belief Systems on Chinese Rulers

This DBQ lesson is geared for elementary school children and includes copies of primary resource material.

http://www.ccsd.edu/link/LMS/CivilWarDBQ/CivilWarDBQ.htm

Causes of the Civil War: Document-Based Questions

A DBQ lesson from Link Elementary School (Clarkstown Central School District) that provides student essays, primary source documents and an answer sheet.

http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~orphantrain/

Orphan Train: A Social Studies Project that "clicked" with students.

A DBQ project that integrated technology such as video conferencing and online DBQ activities to a DBQ project. In addition, the site offers resources, such as lesson plans to teachers.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/dbq/dbqsample.html#Anchor-Document-49575

New York State Social Studies Document Based Essay

This site also allows students to practice writing DBQs.

http://www.mury.k12.ut.us/mhs/apus/dbq/default.htm

Document-Based Question Project Page Provides examples of previous DBQ projects and student essays.

Further Links to DBQ Information

http://www.plainedgeschools.org/dfallon/fallon/dbq.htm

Document-Based Questions and Primary Sources This web site offers links to other DBQ sites, as well as primary source materials.

http://www.lawrence.org/edlinks/dbq/dbq.htm

DBQs and Primary Sources

This site contains information about DBQs and their development. In addition, there are links to primary source sites that can be used in DBQs.

http://www.socsd.k12.ny.us/cle/wqdbq.htm

South Orangetown Middle Schools Web Quest

South Orangetown Middle School provides three links to DBQ related sites and resources.

http://www.usd320.k12.ks.us/whs/lmc/dbq.html

Document-Based Questions: U.S. History 1920-1970

The Wamego High School Library in Wamego, Kansas offers multiple links to primary source materials.

http://www.whitebarnpress.com/Inst.%20Tech/DBQ%20Web%20Historical%20sites-Giselle.htm

Listing of historical primary sources compiled by Dr. Giselle O.Martin-Kniep, Ph.D. This site provides a page of links to DBQs and primary source materials.