Today in History: County and State Fairs

Today in History: County and State Fairs

Today in History–August 22–the Library of Congress features county and state fairs, many of which are held around this date. County and state fairs feature entertainment as well as showcase the agricultural industry and rural lifestyles. Learn more by reviewing the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources & more. County and State…

Learning from the Source: Cesar Chavez & Good Citizenship

Learning from the Source: Cesar Chavez & Good Citizenship

This activity is adapted from lessons in the Barat Education Foundation Our American Voice® program. This civics program for 4-8 graders features a spiral curriculum and emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills as students learn the fundamentals of American democracy and work to create positive change in their communities. Overview Using Cesar Chavez as an…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Kenya 12-69

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Kenya 12-69

Imagine you are from another planet and have been charged with reporting back to your commander on this country called Kenya on the continent of Africa. Zoom into this composite map and investigate the information presented. Create an outline of your findings. Compare the information in this composite map with one of the maps linked to below, noting similarities…

Finding Resources: Everyday Mysteries

Finding Resources: Everyday Mysteries

If you’re looking for some fun science facts to intrigue and delight your elementary students, head over to the Everyday Mysteries section of LOC.gov. This part of the Library of Congress website gives answers to many of life’s most interesting scientific questions, all of which were asked by researchers and answered by librarians from the Library’s Science Reference Services….

Primary Source Spotlight: George Washington Carver & Tuskegee Institute

Primary Source Spotlight: George Washington Carver & Tuskegee Institute

From America’s Library: Born: About 1864 (exact date is unknown) Died: January 5, 1943 George Washington Carver was born a slave in Diamond Grove, Missouri, around 1864. He is one of the nation’s most famous agricultural scientists. He is best known for his research on peanuts and his commitment to helping poor Southern African American farmers. Carver…

Today in History: George Perkins Marsh

Today in History: George Perkins Marsh

Today in History–September 30–the Library of Congress features Congressman George Perkins Marsh, who delivered a speech on agricultural conditions in New England on this day in 1847 that recognized the capacity for environmental destruction and advocated for resource management and restoration. Find out more by reviewing the Today in History section and reviewing the resources below. George Perkins Marsh images George P. Marsh address delivered before…

Learning from the Source: Media & Migrant Laborer Perspectives

Learning from the Source: Media & Migrant Laborer Perspectives

Voices from the Dust Bowl: The Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Worker Collection is an online presentation of a multi-format ethnographic field collection documenting the everyday life of residents of Farm Security Administration (FSA) migrant work camps in central California in 1940 and 1941. Todd and Sonkin, both of the City College of New York, traveled to Arvin, Bakersfield, El Rio, Firebaugh, Porterville,…