This primary source set is targeted to elementary students and includes background information and thinking prompts. It was curated mainly by Dr. John Bickford, Professor of Social Studies/History Education at Eastern Illinois University and Editor-in-Chief of The Councilor: A Journal of the Social Studies. Access the unit plan that utilizes this primary source set. Click each source to view it larger. Primary Source 1 Pre-reading: This is a button. It has a short … [Read more...]
Resources by Theme
Click the arrows next to each theme to reveal the individual resource sets.
Citizen U: Multidisciplinary Civics
Resources & lesson plans for elementary, middle, high school
Teaching Resources
Analyzing Primary Sources strategies and guiding questions for different primary source types
Selecting Primary Sources tips and strategies
Connecting to the Standards strategies for using primary source learning to meet national standards that foster critical thinking skills
Teaching Now news, research and examples from educators who are teaching with primary sources
Theme-based Teaching Resources curated lists of links to primary source teaching resources
Tech Tools guidance and strategies for using tech tools when teaching with primary sources
Integrating Tech ideas for integrating technology into teaching with primary sources
Learning Resources
Guided Primary Source Analyses three-step activities spanning subjects and grades
Learning from the Source lesson plans spanning subjects and grades
Literature Links activity ideas for connecting primary sources with books
Timely Connections resources and activity ideas for connecting primary sources to contemporary topics and issues
Finding Resources tips for finding primary sources and more on LOC.gov
Using Sources instructions for accessing and presenting Library primary sources
Celebrate Black History & Culture
Today in History
- 1809
Edgar Allan Poe born. Check out our curated collection of LOC.gov resources related to this master of American writing.
Today in History: December Posts
Discover stories of events that happened in history on each day of December.
Voting & Elections in Early America
TPS Programs
Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, since 2004 Citizen U, under the Barat Education Foundation, has provided free, engaging, inquiry-based learning materials that use Library primary sources to foster understanding and application of civics, literacy, history, math, science, and the arts.
The mission of the national Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program is to: build awareness of the Library’s educational initiatives; provide educational content that uses the Library’s resources; and offer access to and promote sustained use of educational resources provided by the Library and TPS Consortium members. Learn more.
The mission of the national Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program is to: build awareness of the Library’s educational initiatives; provide educational content that uses the Library’s resources; and offer access to and promote sustained use of educational resources provided by the Library and TPS Consortium members. Learn more.
Copyright © 2023 Barat Education Foundation
Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program.
Content created and featured in partnership with the TPS program does not indicate an endorsement by the Library of Congress.
Content created and featured in partnership with the TPS program does not indicate an endorsement by the Library of Congress.