TPS Spotlight: Library of Congress Self-Paced Professional Development

TPS Spotlight: Library of Congress Self-Paced Professional Development

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Exploring Broadsides, Flyers, and Posters

Analyzing Primary Sources: Exploring Broadsides, Flyers, and Posters

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Caption Writer

Analyzing Primary Sources: Caption Writer

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Strategies & Activities

Analyzing Primary Sources: Strategies & Activities

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Tools & Guides

Analyzing Primary Sources: Tools & Guides

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Technology & Presidential Nominating Conventions

Analyzing Primary Sources: Technology & Presidential Nominating Conventions

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Middle School (6-8) Image Analysis Choice Board

Analyzing Primary Sources: Middle School (6-8) Image Analysis Choice Board

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Early Elementary (K-2) Image Analysis Choice Board

Analyzing Primary Sources: Early Elementary (K-2) Image Analysis Choice Board

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…

Analyzing Primary Sources: Later Elementary (3-5) Image Analysis Choice Board

Analyzing Primary Sources: Later Elementary (3-5) Image Analysis Choice Board

This choice board is targeted to students in grades 3-5. 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…

Integrating Tech: Post-It App & Primary Source Analysis

Integrating Tech: Post-It App & Primary Source Analysis

In a TPS Network resource album available to the public, elementary teacher librarian and former teacher in residence at the Library of Congress, Tom Bober (@CaptainLibrary), outlines how his students analyzed an historical newspaper article using the See Think Wonder strategy that layered in the Post-it® app for iPad to help organize students’ thinking. The…