We were all hoping that 2021 would be easier than 2020 but the way it's going out certainly wasn’t what we had been wishing for. That said, let's look at the bright spots. More educators and students discovered and visited the Primary Source Nexus than the year before so we're glad that highlighting great content from the Library of Congress and strategies and ideas for teaching with primary sources seems to have been helpful. In 2021 we entered into a partnership with the National Education … [Read more...]
Today in History: December Posts
December 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment
December 1 December 2 1955: Rosa Parks Arrested 1957: Stravinsky & Balanchine 1763: Touro Synagogue 1942: Nuclear Fission December 3 December 4 1818: Illinois 1875: William "Boss" Tweed December 5 December 6 1776: Phi Beta Kappa 1782: Martin Van Buren 1864: Salmon P. Chase 1884: Washington Monument December 7 December 8 1941: Air Raid on Peal Harbor 1879: … [Read more...]
Looking Back: Top Content of 2020
December 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment
2020 certainly wasn't easy but we hope that another year of highlighting great content from the Library of Congress and strategies and ideas for teaching with primary sources was helpful. In 2020 we began spotlighting TPS Consortium members and the resources and professional development opportunities that they provide. We also significantly expanded the Citizen U Lesson Library. There are now links to over 150 multidisciplinary civics lessons for grades K-12. Every lesson includes … [Read more...]
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden: Holiday Message & Read Aloud
December 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Before watching the video below, read the Minerva's Kaleidoscope blog post, Sharing Kindness, Bringing Light as We Read Together, to get acquainted with the story of Bear and Coco and review some pre-reading discussion questions. … [Read more...]
TPS Spotlight: RISE for Racial Equity Webinars & Micro-credential
December 15, 2020 by Leave a Comment
So many teachers are reflecting on how to fight racism, how to help students through the impact of the isolation and fear of the pandemic, and how to help students thrive in these challenging times. Teaching during COVID-19 and in a time of dismantling systemic racism is an experience that requires innovative approaches grounded in empathy, inquiry, trauma informed practices, and innovative thinking. The RISE for Racial Equity Webinars & Micro-credential program offer practical strategies … [Read more...]
Collection Spotlight: Amplifier Posters
December 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Don't miss this arresting set of posters from Amplifier, a nonprofit design lab that builds art and media experiments to amplify important contemporary movements. Then check out this idea for using the collection to inspire students as they carry out their own creative poster project from TPS Teachers Network mentor and curriculum specialist Cheryl Davis. Amplifier also offers education resources for teachers and parents. … [Read more...]
TPS Spotlight: 2020 NCSS Virtual Conference Poster Sessions
December 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Numerous TPS Consortium members have contributed posters (see listing below) to the 2020 NCSS Virtual Conference, took place online from December 4-6. Attendees can view conference presentations on demand until April 30, 2021. You may also contact the organizations directly to learn more. Book Backdrops: Connecting Primary Sources and Literature National Council of Teachers of English Participants will create a working definition of primary sources, learn to analyze primary sources, and … [Read more...]
Looking Back: Top Content of 2019
December 30, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Citizen U was happy to be able to provide another year of great content highlighting Library of Congress primary sources and strategies and ideas for teaching with primary sources. In 2019 we added more Citizen U lessons, which integrate inquiry-based civics across core curriculum disciplines—English-language arts, math, science, and social studies—in elementary, middle school, and high school grades. Below we link to our top 50 content for 2019. But, remember, there is so much more to … [Read more...]
Primary Source Review: November-December 2019
December 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Find all the fabulous primary sources and teaching ideas shared in November and December 2019 by @PSNTPS from the Primary Source Nexus, the Library of Congress, the House, the Senate, teachers and students in the classroom, and more! We’ve got Civics, History, ELA and STEAM resources—for immediate access to all of these, simply follow @PSNTPS on Twitter. … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Comparing & Contrasting Presidential Articles of Impeachment
December 19, 2019 by 1 Comment
What can we learn by comparing and contrasting the official articles of impeachment against the three U.S. presidents impeached by the House of Representatives? Johnson Impeachment - March 2, 1868 House of Representatives Articles of Impeachment for Andrew Johnson Supplement to the Congressional Globe U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875 Congressional Globe, Senate, 40th Congress, 2nd Session Clinton Impeachment - December 19, 1998 H. Res. 611 impeaching William … [Read more...]
Johns Hopkins born. Check out our 
Siege of Vicksburg begun. Check out our 
Thomas Edward (T.E.) Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia, died. Check out the 
