Today in History–April 17–the Library of Congress features writer Thornton Wilder, born on this day in 1897. This lauded American writer produced award-winning (3 Pulitzer Prizes and 1 National Book Award) plays, novels, essays, and more. Find out more about this literary master by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about Wilder…
Today in History–April 9–the Library of Congress features the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant on this day in 1865. Learn more about the surrender by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access thousands more Civil War resources. Lee’s surrender primary source set “THE END! SURRENDER OF LEE!…”,…
“John Burroughs at ‘Slab Sides’” description from Bird Lore, Volume 1 (1899): SOME years ago a favor to a neighbor resulted in Mr. Burroughs acquiring possession of a small ‘muck swamp’ situated in a valley in the hills, a mile or more west of his home at West Park. on the Hudson. To Mr. Burroughs, the…
Questioning & the Common Core State Standards The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Reading emphasize teaching students to become active questioners beginning in kindergarten. RL/RI.K.1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. RL/RI.1.1. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. RL/RI.2.1. Ask and answer such questions…
Today in History–March 27–the Library of Congress features Washington D.C.‘s cherry trees. On this day in 1912 two Yoshino cherry trees were planted on the northern bank of the Potomac River Tidal Basin by First Lady Helen Herron Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, the Japanese ambassador’s wife, to celebrate the Japanese government’s gift of 3,000 trees to…
Today in History–March 8–the Library of Congress features Susan B. Anthony, who addressed Congress on the right of women to vote on this day in 1884. It was the sixteenth time woman suffrage supporters appeared before Congress but it would take decades more until women finally earned the constitutional right to vote. Learn more by visiting the Today in…
Today in History–March 6–the Library of Congress remembers the Alamo, which was recaptured by Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on this day in 1836. An estimated 1,000 to 1,600 Mexican soldiers died in the the 13-day siege and all 189 Texan defenders officially listed were killed. Learn more about the circumstances that helped Texas forces to gain independence from…
Today in History–March 5–the Library of Congress features the Boston Massacre, which occurred on this day in 1770 when British soldiers shot into a crowd of colonists. This skirmish became a rallying point for American patriots, led by Samuel Adams. Learn more about the incident and one of the fatal victims, Crispus Attucks, by visiting the Today in History section, then clicking…
Today in History–February 23–the Library of Congress features the Mexican American War. On this day in 1847 U.S. General Zachary Taylor was victorious over Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in the Battle of Buena Vista. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover more about this war between the U.S. and its…
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…
Today in History–February 20–the Library of Congress features actor Joe Jefferson, born on this day in 1829. Learn more about this hugely popular comic actor and early American theater by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources about Jefferson and theater in the United States. Comic Actor Joseph Jefferson Was Born from…