Cold Reads Controversy

 

There has been some controversy on whether historical documents should be read as a "cold read" without building historical context and background knowledge.  Please read the following articles describing the issue:

• The Common Core Standards:  Content and Controversy Links to an external site.
• Staying Warm During Cold Reads Links to an external site.
• Do Cold Readings of Our Historical Documents Level the Playing Field Links to an external site.

Then examine the Close Reading Links to an external site.Common Core Lesson Plan from PARCC about the Gettysburg Address Links to an external site..  Do you think students should read documents, like the Gettysburg Address, as a "cold read."  Based on what you see in the lesson, do you think historians would approach the document in the same way? 

 

Back to Modules List