Primary sources bring history to life but life can be harsh. Teachers need to be prepared for primary sources that may include, as Library of Congress Educational Resource Specialist Danna Bell wrote in the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog, “material that would shock, anger, disgust, stun, frustrate or annoy”. But they also provide incredible learning opportunities…
Look carefully at this political cartoon. What can you determine just from the information above? Now review the cartoon’s bibliographic record and find out about the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds by investigating the links below. After, describe new insights you now have about this political cartoon. The 1880 Presidential Election HarpWeek The Half-Breeds versus the Stalwarts from Chronology of the…
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…
If your students need help with asking questions when analyzing primary sources, bring out the question cubes. You can make them from paper or cleaned-out school milk cartons. Each student or student group should get two cubes (see image directly above and below) and roll both to help get those questions flowing. You can also…
Legislation Sponsored or Cosponsored by Gerald R. Ford 93rd Congress (1973-1974) Gerald R. Ford oath of office August 9, 1974 Gerald Ford image set Political cartoonist Herb Block on Gerald Ford “Remember–don’t vote for anyone who would interfere with the way we’ve been handling things” October 30, 1974 (curator’s note: scroll to find) “It Helps Maintain a Better…
Look at the source. What do you see? Describe what is happening in the picture based only on what you see. Look at the source again. How does this picture make you feel? What does this picture make you think about? Describe your feelings and thoughts and at least one detail or technique the artist,…
This primary source spotlight shines a light on the sport of American football. Spinner Play, lithograph by American artist Benton Spruance – guided primary source analysis activities Football images Football films President Roosevelt at the Army-Navy game 1902 Princeton and Yale football game 1903 Chicago-Michigan football game 1903 Sports Byline USA radio program football audio recordings Jim Brown…
Herbert Hoover brief bio Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover: American Famine relief Campaign song of Herbert Hoover 1829 presidential opponent Herbert Hoover 1930 judicial nomination of John Parker Herbert Hoover inauguration primary source set Herbert Hoover: Executive Order 5398 – Establishing the Veterans’ Administration The American Presidency Project Herbert Hoover mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral…
Veterans Administration legislation Veterans Administration reports & other texts Veterans Administration oral histories James Allen Alford served in Veterans Administration Facility Gerald Caffrey served as a radio operator and Morse code interpreter; after retiring served as a Veterans Administration Chaplain Frank Foley served in Europe but did not see action in combat; worked in years after war…
Zoom into a more detailed image of this source. Explain what you can determine about Nellie Bly just by looking at this source (be sure to point out the details that support your findings). Read the following articles to learn more about Nellie Bly, Jules Verne and Elizabeth Bisland. Describe what you learned. Nellie Bly from America’s Library “Bly…
Our current online workshop is going so well, we decided to do it again in February. TPS-Barat will offer free educator training on teaching with primary sources from the Library of Congress digital collections. This online professional development training will cover finding and accessing Library resources as well as adapting and implementing primary source activities. The virtual workshop will feature independent work…
Read the headline and the four lines of text just under the headline. Then look at the footer text at the bottom of this page. Who do you think was the audience for this broadside? Explain the reasoning behind your conclusion. (Hint: If you need help answering this, there is one particular word that you should…