Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives alba educational Modules 03 tsdp Page 12
Document Based Questions (DBQ's)
The third grade social studies curriculum in New York City invites teachers and students to explore
world communities through the lens of the social, political, geographic, economic and historical
characteristics. Suggested learning strategies in this guide foster opportunity for students to analyze
primary source documents, draw conclusions, take opposing positions and form opinions. In addition, it
serves as an introduction to examining Document Based Questions (DBQ), a skill that will sustain our
students' analytical proficiency during formal and informal assessments throughout their academic
years.
What is a DBQ?
A DBQ requires students to interpret, analyze, and evaluate documents and then answer an essay
question using the documents as well as other information used in studying the subject. When answering
a DBQ, students use the document to take a position on an issue and support it with evidence, assessing
different perspectives on an event, era, theme, and determining the validity of the sources.
