NHD 2023: Topic Selection, Research, Sources & More

NHD 2023: Topic Selection, Research, Sources & More

Students, we have compiled a big list of resources to help you dig deep into National History Day (NHD) projects. Understanding NHD Projects Read the Contest Rule Book carefully. English | Spanish Watch the NHD Contest Rules video. Explore the categories. Click the orange buttons to learn more about each category. Documentary rules video project checklist evaluation…

Teaching Now: Innovative Ideas to Teach Social Studies Skills

Teaching Now: Innovative Ideas to Teach Social Studies Skills

The April 5, 2021 #sschat—a moderated Twitter chat using the #sschat hashtag—was chock full of innovative ideas to teach social studies skills from educators across the country. Here is how the group defines itself on the #sschat website. #sschat is more than a hashtag, it’s an open group of dedicated network of educators and enthusiasts…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Identifying Bias in Presidential Election Newspaper Coverage

Analyzing Primary Sources: Identifying Bias in Presidential Election Newspaper Coverage

In a Teaching with the Library of Congress blog post, Deborah Thomas, program manager for the National Digital Newspaper Program at the Library of Congress, discusses Helping Students Read Between the Lines: Identifying Bias and Attitude in Newspapers for the Presidential Election of 1912. With three major candidates, rather than the traditional two, the 1912…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Strong-Weak Government

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Strong-Weak Government

Zoom into a more detailed image of this cartoon. Using only the details from the cartoon, what main point do you think the cartoonist was trying to make. For help reading cartoons, review It’s No Laughing Matter. Then review the cartoon’s source record and this definition of carpetbagger. What insights into this cartoon does this new information provide you…

Selecting Primary Sources for Research Projects

Selecting Primary Sources for Research Projects

When completing a research project you will want to include primary sources. Using primary sources is particularly important when creating a history project and required for National History Day (NHD) projects. To get a better understanding of different types of sources, review the post Selecting Primary Sources: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary? Think of primary sources as raw, unfiltered…

Selecting Primary Sources: Criteria for Classroom Use

Selecting Primary Sources: Criteria for Classroom Use

Primary source analysis promotes information literacy, a vital skill for competent citizens. When selecting primary sources to use with students, keep the criteria listed below in mind to ensure valuable learning experiences. KNOW YOUR STUDENTS Engagement Will your students want to dig deep, ask questions, and learn more about the primary source? Is the source interesting?…

Today in History: Boston Massacre

Today in History: Boston Massacre

Today in History–March 5–the Library of Congress features the Boston Massacre, which occurred on this day in 1770 when British soldiers shot into a crowd of colonists. This skirmish became a rallying point for American patriots, led by Samuel Adams. Learn more about the incident and one of the fatal victims, Crispus Attucks, by visiting the Today in History section, then clicking…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Close Observation & Purposeful Questions

Analyzing Primary Sources: Close Observation & Purposeful Questions

The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides several ideas for inspiring close observation and engaging students with primary sources, including having students make personal connections to an item, look for clues to time period and authorship, look for details that provide evidence of their thinking, and ask purposeful questions. Close observation of images is great practice…