The graphic above from the Chicago Metro History Fair (CMHF) is a great encapsulation of how to choose a topic for a history fair project. In addition, ask yourself the questions listed below. Does the topic relate to the 2021 National History Day (NHD) theme Communication in History: The Key to Understanding? Does the topic relate to local or state history? Does the topic really interest you? Do you have a personal connection to the topic? (It’s not necessary but it can be a good … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: Fresh Perspectives from Female Poets
April 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment
In an article for Edutopia, middle school educator Kasey Short provides suggestions and tips for "Studying Female Poets to Understand History". After reading this thoughtful article, help your students get some fresh female perspectives of both history and contemporary life with these poetry-related resources. Curator’s Picks: American Women Poets Library of Congress Blog March 26, 2015 Anne Bradstreet, Colonial Poet Poetry by Civil War Era African American Women Are women people? : … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: Civics, History & Interdisciplinary Connections
December 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The overarching goal of a general education in the United States has been, and should continue to be, to promote civic competence. Teaching with primary sources, no matter the content focus, provides students with the skills necessary to be competent and active citizens. Digging into primary sources and grappling directly with different perspectives provides students practice in information literacy skills that they will employ in numerous contexts throughout their lives. When students "do" … [Read more...]
Integrating Technology: Making Myriopticons
May 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment
OK, so this post isn't about digital technology but it does present an idea for combining history with a maker lab of sorts that incorporates math, engineering and art. Let's take a look at a blog post from In Custodia Legis, which features, “A Historical Panorama of the Rebellion” myriopticon, a toy manufactured by Milton Bradley around 1865. "The myriopticon was an educational device targeted at prepubescent boys that consists of a box containing a painted scroll and two scroll tubes. A key … [Read more...]
Citizen U: Lessons Infusing Civics Across the Curriculum
January 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Citizen U curriculum is a collaboration between the Barat Education Foundation (BEF), Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF), and DePaul University’s Office of Innovative Professional Learning (DePaul OIPL) and was developed thanks to a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program. The goal of the Citizen U curriculum is to infuse civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions across the core subjects in elementary, middle, and high school grades. Working with … [Read more...]
NHD 2016: CMHEC Topic Ideas – Civil Rights
October 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Below you will find Library of Congress resources curated by TPS-Barat that relate to National History Day 2016 topic ideas from the Chicago Metro History Education Center. This set specifically focuses on civil rights but all topic ideas are related to the 2016 NHD theme: Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. More CMHEC topics will be referenced in subsequent posts. American Indians in Chicago during Progressive Era American Indians Chicago: historic newspaper articles … [Read more...]
NHD 2016: CMHEC Topic Ideas – Women & Family
September 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Below you will find Library of Congress resources curated by TPS-Barat that relate to National History Day 2016 topic ideas from the Chicago Metro History Education Center. This set specifically focuses on women and family but all topic ideas are related to the 2016 NHD theme: Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. More CMHEC topics will be referenced in subsequent posts. Encountering Masculinity: The Armour Mission Armour Mission historic newspaper coverage Exchanging … [Read more...]
Finding Resources: World Digital Library
April 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Overview The World Digital Library (WDL) provides access to multilingual primary sources from around the world. It's mission is to promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding by highlighting the stories and achievements of all countries and cultures. WDL "is a project of the U.S. Library of Congress, carried out with the support of the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO), and in cooperation with libraries, archives, museums, educational institutions, … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Math Activities That Add Up
February 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Integrating primary sources into the social studies curriculum doesn't take a quantum leap of imagination, but can you imagine how they could be paired with math? Numerous teachers who have gone through Teaching with Primary Sources programs delivered by TPS consortium members, have done just that. Intrigued? Check out their formulas for mathematical learning by reviewing the resources listed below. Thanks to Dr. Lucianne Brown, former Director of Governors State University TPS program, who … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Uncovering Primary Source Treasures
October 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The Teaching with Library of Congress blog highlights a collection of videos featuring Library curators briefly describing treasured items and their historical importance and provides some ideas for using the treasure videos with students. You can access the collection of Hidden Treasure videos at the Library of Congress or from the Hidden Treasures playlist on the Library of Congress YouTube channel. For more treasures, don't miss the Library's online exhibition, American Treasures of the … [Read more...]
Nathan Hale hanged for spying on British troops. Check out our 
Preliminary version of Emancipation Proclamation proclaimed. Check out our