Primary Source Learning: Primary Sources Through Time

Primary Source Learning: Primary Sources Through Time

Looking for primary sources related to a particular time period in U.S. history? The Teaching with Library of Congress blog suggests using the American Memory Timeline,  an online presentation that provides a comprehensive look through U.S. history using primary sources from the Library’s collections. For teaching ideas, read the whole blog post. More resources are listed below. U.S. History by…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Thanksgiving Shopping Insert

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Thanksgiving Shopping Insert

Zoom into this newspaper page online or download a larger image. Use the shopping insert to help craft a Thanksgiving menu. What would you serve based on the items offered for sale? Look closely at the illustrations surrounding the advertisements. Add speech bubbles to bring the scene depicted at the top of the page to life. Compare and contrast…

Primary Source Learning: America’s Library

Primary Source Learning: America’s Library

The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides an overview of the resources found in America’s Library and some great teaching ideas for using the website with younger students or older English language learners. For more involved projects, click the links below to access two primary source projects using America’s Library resources from TPS-Barat….

Today in History: North Carolina

Today in History: North Carolina

Today in History–November 21–the Library of Congress features North Carolina, which ratified the Constitution on this day in 1789, becoming the 12th state in the new United States. Find out more about the history and culture of the “Tar Heel” state by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more prime primary sources. North…

Primary Source Learning: Teaching with Primary Source Posters

Primary Source Learning: Teaching with Primary Source Posters

The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog gives some great tips on using the WPA Poster collection with students. One idea is to have students identify persuasion techniques. For a great resource on typical advertising persuasion techniques, check out  Print Advertising Across the Centuries project. One teacher used this project as a template and created a…

Selecting Primary Sources: Considering Historical Context

Selecting Primary Sources: Considering Historical Context

Understanding historical context is an important element when considering why a primary source was created. The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog outlines characteristics to look for when selecting primary sources that students will be able to place in historical context. For more help providing historical context, look in the Library Teacher Guides in…

Learning from the Source: Jefferson’s Rough Draft of the Declaration

Learning from the Source: Jefferson’s Rough Draft of the Declaration

The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog has started to publish primary source starters–quick, easy-to-use activity ideas using primary sources from the Library’s collections. The first uses Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence to help students think critically about the process that produced the document. Get all the details by reading…