From the Library of Congress: The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was signed into law on May 6, 1882. Officially titled "An act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese," the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years. It was extended in 1892 for another ten years by the Geary Act and then made permanent in 1902. In 1943, at a time when the United States and China were allies during World War II, the ban on Chinese immigration and … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: U.S. Must Set Pace for Racial Tolerance
December 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Read the article, then answer the questions below. If you need help, click the links in the Related resources section below. What was happening in the world at the time this article was published? Who was Mrs. Roosevelt and why was what she had to say important? Who else attended the conference and what groups did they represent? The article's headline makes a claim. Copy that claim and below it create a bulleted list of the quotes and statements made by Mrs. Roosevelt that support … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: I Am an American Day
September 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Find a partner and have one read the first article and the other the second article. Each person should re-read their article and then analyze the source to answer the questions below. (NOTE: to enlarge the type, click here to read them online) What argument does the article present? What evidence from the text supports your response? Why do you think the author chose to include these specific details of description or explanation? What was happening during this time period? Who do … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Being American Primary Source Sets
August 25, 2020 by Leave a Comment
This curated collection of primary sources was created to help students think critically about what it means to be an American by exploring and analyzing different perspectives and voices, particularly marginalized ones, over time. Thanks to the inspiration of Jen Reidel, 2019-2020 Library of Congress Civics Teacher in Residence, who suggested this theme. Executive proclamations Reprint of President Roosevelt's "I Am an American Day" proclamation May 3, 1940 Reprint of Arizona … [Read more...]
Citizen U Webinar: Should the Government Ever Censor the Press?
October 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Citizen U lessons infuse civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions across the core subjects in elementary, middle, and high school grades. This interactive webinar featured practice with interdisciplinary civics, inquiry-based learning, and teaching with primary sources, and provided information about free middle and high school lessons that can be used in either ELA or social studies classes. Webinar recording Lesson Plans Middle School: Freedom of the Press, Censorship, and … [Read more...]
Citizen U Webinar: Teaching About Journalists & a Free Press
October 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Citizen U lessons infuse civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions across the core subjects in elementary, middle, and high school grades. This interactive webinar featured practice with interdisciplinary civics, inquiry-based learning, and teaching with primary sources, and provided information about a free elementary-level lesson that can be used in either ELA or social studies classes. View webinar recording Lesson Plans Elementary: Journalists and a Free Press Middle … [Read more...]
Citizen U Webinar: Teaching About Dolores Huerta & the United Farm Workers
September 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Citizen U lessons infuse civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions across the core subjects in elementary, middle, and high school grades. This interactive webinar featured practice with interdisciplinary civics, inquiry-based learning, and teaching with primary sources, and information about three ELA-Civics lessons about Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers. The lessons reach across grade levels to elementary, middle and high school students. View webinar recording. Related … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Brownies’ Book
April 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment
In a group, complete a quick primary source analysis of the image above to note what you see, what you think or feel about what you see, and any questions that you have. Based on your analysis, what do you think the Brownies' Book was and why do you think it was created? Then review this page. What more did you learn about the Brownies' Book was and why it was created? As you answer each question, be sure to point to evidence from the source in your response. With your group, skim through the … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning to Develop Civic Competencies
January 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
In the Guardian of Democracy: the Civic Mission of Schools report, Lee H. Hamilton, founder of the Center on Congress and U.S. Representative from Indiana (1965 to 1999), wrote: Citizenship requires both knowledge about government and the ability to be involved in governance. It means knowing how to identify and inform yourself about issues, explore and evaluate possible solutions, and then act to resolve problems. It demands that you know how to interact respectfully with others. And it asks … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: Immigrant Soldiers
November 7, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The United States is a nation of immigrants, many of whom have served the country in times of need. Below you will find links to news articles about immigrant soldiers, historical background resources, and related primary sources and teaching resources. How does studying sources from the past inform your understanding of the contemporary debate surrounding immigrants in the U.S. armed forces? Congressional Activity The Impact of Current Immigration Policies on Service Members and … [Read more...]
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