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...]
Timely Connections: Civics, History & Interdisciplinary Connections
December 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
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...]
NHD 2016: Preparing for National History Day
September 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Library of Congress is the perfect place to find primary source analysis strategies, tools and curated resource lists for National History Day (NHD) 2016: Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. To help teachers prepare to guide students in primary source analyses and using resources from the Library of Congress, TPS-Barat will be offering various no-cost online teacher professional development workshops in October, November and January. The TPS-Barat Primary Source Nexus … [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...]
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