Presidential Spotlight: Barack Obama

Presidential Spotlight: Barack Obama

Barack Obama first inauguration primary source set January 20, 2009 Barack Obama second inauguration primary source set January 21, 2013 President-Elect Obama To Take Oath of Office on Lincoln-Inaugural Bible News from the Library of Congress December 23, 2008 The Lincoln Bible used by Barack Obama at his first inauguration The Book Lincoln and Obama Have In Common video…

Primary Source Spotlight: Patricia Smith

Primary Source Spotlight: Patricia Smith

Patricia Smith The Poet & the Poem audio podcast This is My Story: Getting to Know Patricia Smith From the Catbird Seat blog February 9, 2015 Patricia Smith’s “Words That Force Us to Look” From the Catbird Seat April 22, 2013 Patricia Smith Bookfest bio Patricia Smith: 2009 National Book Festival video Necessary Utterance: Poetry as Cultural Force…

Primary Source Spotlight: Robert Frost

Primary Source Spotlight: Robert Frost

Robert Frost poems & poetry books “A Hillside Thaw” c 1930 “A Mood Apart” 1945 “The Runaway” c 1930 “My November Guest“ North of Boston 1914 A Boy’s Will 1915 Mountain Interval 1921 Robert Frost Reads Poem at JFK’s Inauguration January 20, 1961 from America’s Library Frost Inaugural poetry “Dedication” Robert Frost’s Presidential Inaugural Poem typescript with Frost’s…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Dedication by Robert Frost

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Dedication by Robert Frost

Above is the first page of Robert Frost’s poem “Dedication” with his handwritten edits. First read the final version of this poem. How does this poem make you feel? Why do you think Frost might have written this poem? Who do you think was the audience for the poem? Include specific examples from the poem in…

Primary Source Spotlight: Vachel Lindsay

Primary Source Spotlight: Vachel Lindsay

Books by Vachel Lindsay Adventures while preaching the gospel of beauty  c. 1914 A handy guide for beggars, especially those of the poetic fraternity 1916 The golden book of Springfield 1920 “General William Booth enters into Heaven” lyrics by Vachel Lindsay (video of song performance) Vachel Lindsay historic newspaper coverage through 1922 Vachel Lindsay images Illinois…

Primary Source Spotlight: Edna St. Vincent Millay

Primary Source Spotlight: Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay Birthday From the Catbird Seat blog March 5, 2013 Literary Birthday Celebration: Edna St. Vincent Millay webcast Publicity, Celebrity, Fashion: Photographing Edna St. Vincent Millay streaming webcast The Voice of Her Generation Library of Congress Information Bulletin January 1999 – Vol 58, No. 1 Edna St. Vincent Millay image set “There are no islands any…

Presidential Spotlight: Jimmy Carter

Presidential Spotlight: Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter inauguration primary source set January 20, 1977 President Jimmy Carter Signed the Panama Canal Treaty September 7, 1977 from America’s Library Jimmy Carter image set Carl Sagan Briefing notes for President Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale Political cartoonist Herb Block on President Jimmy Carter “Gee! A medal from Gen. Goldwater” July 2, 1976…

Today in History: Robert Penn Warren

Today in History: Robert Penn Warren

Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features writer Robert Penn Warren, who died on this date in 1989. A novelist and poet who won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel All the Kings Men and two Pulitzers for his poetry, Warren was also a teacher, critic. He also served as poetry consultant for the Library from 1944-45 and as…

Primary Source Learning: Poets & Poetry

Primary Source Learning: Poets & Poetry

Found Poetry activities Guided primary source analysis activities Learning from the Source lessons Teach This Poem lessons More learning activities & resources From the Catbird Seat Teacher’s Corner blog posts Teaching with the Library blog posts Teach Social & Emotional Skills through Poetry MiddleWeb April 16, 2023 Primary Source Spotlight: Poetry

Presidential Spotlight: Abraham Lincoln

Presidential Spotlight: Abraham Lincoln

From America’s Library: Born: February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky Died: April 15, 1865, assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Known for leading the country through the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. His eloquence is evident in many speeches including his most famous one, the Gettysburg Address. His…