The U.S. History Primary Source Timeline spans nearly 400 years, covering 9 time periods. Each time period includes an overview and several subsections and each of these, in turn, provide background information and a selection of curated primary sources. Colonial Settlement, 1600s – 1763 The American Revolution, 1763 – 1783 The New Nation, 1783 –…
Citizen U lessons integrating science, technology and civics More lesson plans Primary source sets with teacher guides Guided primary source analysis activities Collection connections Teaching ideas & strategies Science & technology blog posts from Teaching with the Library More Library blog posts
When first starting out teaching with primary sources, we recommend trying out the Library of Congress Primary Source Analysis Tool (see Analyzing Primary Sources: Tools & Guides). Below, we have compiled a rich list of primary source analysis strategies and activities developed by the Library, TPS Consortium partners, and teacher pros in the field. Library…
Civil War photograph lessons & activities Devil in the Details: Examining Visual Material from the Civil War The Mathew Brady Bunch New Technologies and New Uses Using Sources: Civil War Photography Technology & Tricks What Do You See? Learning from the Source lesson plans Gettysburg Address Game On Civil War Prison Experiences Geography & the Civil…
We all can learn a lot from Abraham Lincoln. Below you will find links to primary source activities, lessons, and projects from the Library of Congress, TPS-Barat and other TPS consortium members. Abraham Lincoln: Rise to National Prominence primary source set and teacher’s guide Lincoln’s Life Abraham Lincoln & Me Activity Book Gettysburg Address Image…
Teaching resources Primary Source Learning: Women in U.S. History Primary Source Learning: Women’s Road to the Vote Primary source sets A look back at female police officers image set Primary Source Spotlight: Woman Suffrage collections Women in Science & Technology select primary sources & teacher’s guide Woman’s Land Army of America Activists Jane Addams Susan B. Anthony…
Today in History–April 9–the Library of Congress features the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant on this day in 1865. Learn more about the surrender by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access thousands more Civil War resources. Lee’s surrender primary source set “THE END! SURRENDER OF LEE!…”,…
Today in History–April 6–the Library of Congress features the United States entrance into World War I on this day in 1917 by declaring war on Germany. Learn more about the difficult decision to enter the war and how it transformed the nation by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access 1917 newspaper articles plus…
Integrating primary sources into the social studies curriculum doesn’t take a quantum leap of imagination, but can you imagine how they could be paired with math? Numerous teachers who have gone through Teaching with Primary Sources programs delivered by TPS consortium members, have done just that. Intrigued? Check out their formulas for mathematical learning by…
In celebration of Native American Heritage month, the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great suggestions for teaching students to view the experiences and contributions of Native Americans from various perspectives. Comparing sources from multiple perspectives provides students with practice in critical thinking and evaluating evidence and arguments. Links to more Native American…
The Teaching with Library of Congress blog points out ways to explore the Library virtually and suggests engaging learning activities using this set of putti images, from the Carol M. Highsmith photograph archive. You might also try similar activities using this set of images depicting iconic figures found on the doors of the Library annex from…
The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog gives some great tips on selecting the most effective primary sources to use with your students. The TPS-Barat program offers some more tips, suggesting teachers ask themselves the following questions when choosing primary sources for use in the classroom. Goal – What is the overall activity or project goal?…