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 220 National History Day (NHD) theme: Breaking Barriers in History? 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 thing.) Will you be … [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...]
NHD 2019: Choosing a Topic for a History Project & Getting Started
October 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment
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 2019 National History Day (NHD) theme: Triumph & Tragedy in History? For Illinois students, does the topic relate to local or Illinois state history? Does the topic really interest you? Do you have a personal connection to the topic? (It’s not necessary but it … [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 2018: Selecting a Topic for a History Project
November 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
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 2018 National History Day (NHD) theme: Conflict & Compromise in History? For Illinois students, does the topic relate to local or Illinois state history? Does the topic really interest you? Do you have a personal connection to the topic? (It’s not necessary … [Read more...]
NHD 2017: Selecting a Topic for a History Project
November 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The graphic above from the Chicago Metro History Fair (formerly Chicago Metro History Education Center or CMHEC) 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 2017 National History Day (NHD) theme: Taking a Stand in History? For Illinois students, does the topic relate to local or Illinois state history? Does the topic really interest you? Do you have a personal … [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...]
Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president sworn into office in January. Check out our