When paired together, primary sources and historical picture books provide learners opportunities to explore and create meaning around small moments in time and bigger events. Compelling primary sources further help students contextualize elements of a story to better understand and relate to it. On the flip side, historical fiction and nonfiction picture books can increase…
In a fantastic series of posts on the Teaching with the Library blog, Educational Resources Specialist Colleen Call Smith details a number of different ways to dig into the Library’s Political Parties primary source set. Political Parties and Primary Sources: Civic ParticipationConsider ways in which oral histories provide a unique source for thinking about civic…
Frances Benjamin Johnston – Biographical Overview and Chronology Frances Benjamin Johnston Collection Photographs of Frances Benjamin Johnston Historical newspaper coverage of Frances Benjamin Johnston Surveying the South: Photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston and the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South storymap Picture This posts about Frances Benjamin Johnston Every Photo Is a Story five-part…
The first two modules in a series of learning and practicing strategies for teaching with primary sources recently launched on the Library’s Teachers site. Each module is self-contained, plays from a web browser, and can be completed in one hour or less. Educators who compete a module in one session—the system does not save progress—will…
In “Spreading the Word for a Cause” from the Teaching with with the Library of Congress blog, Teaching with Primary Sources intern Haleigh Reutershan provides examples of primary sources that helped spread information and encourage people to unite and support causes in the times before social media. She then offers suggestions for guiding questions and…
The Caption Writer strategy comes from Dr. Roland K. Schendel, undergraduate/graduate professor of education at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Children experience much of their world by viewing pictorial and illustrated representations of it. Such visuals allow children to learn about the world around them. They translate ideas through viewing. In order to accurately translate…
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…
Primary sources, as described by the Library of Congress, “are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects that were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of time or place. Bringing young people into close contact with…
Political conventions have been part of the presidential nominating process for many years, but where conventions are held, who attends, and what happens at them has changed over time. First, analyze sources related to the Democratic Party’s national conventions in 1928 and in 1960. What similarities do you see? What differences? In particular, look for…
This graphic organizer can be used to analyze primary sources or stories about an event. The Who, What, Where, When, Why and How are good guides for framing and understanding an aspect of an event and to help with identifying areas for further research. Event Happenings Look at the source and respond to the questions…
This choice board is targeted to students in grades 6-8 They may use images found in the home; in newspapers, magazines or books; on television (if there is a pause feature); or online to complete the activities and may write or record (audio or video) their responses. If students have online access, below are several…
This choice board is targeted to K-2 students. They may use images found in the home; in newspapers, magazines or books; on television (if there is a pause feature); or online to complete the activities and may write or record (audio or video) their responses. If students have online access, below are several links to…