Below you will find numerous primary source activity ideas to use in conjunction with the novel My Daniel by Pam Conrad. Let us know which ones work for you. Publisher overview "All I want to find is one dinosaur," Daniel was saying. "And I'll find it right here. Like I do all my fossils." Wandering through the Natural History Museum with her grandchildren, Julia Creath feels the presence of her dead brother, Daniel, she remembers a time when fossil fever hit everyone, old and young -- a … [Read more...]
State Spotlight: Iowa
August 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Iowa stories from America’s Library Iowa primary source set Iowa-focused primary source sets address national and international history as well as Iowa-specific history Iowa maps Iowa images Iowa sheet music Iowa songs & oral histories Iowa books & other texts Iowa historical newspapers Iowa broadsides & printed ephemera Lao Natasinh Dance Troupe of Iowa webcast Writers from Iowa's International Writer's Program Read From Their Work Iowa: U.S. … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Oral Histories & Personal Narratives
April 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment
LOC.gov contains numerous oral history and personal narrative resources. Check out the lists below! Teaching resources Analyzing Primary Sources: Learning from Oral Histories Learning from the Source: Chicago Meatpackers & the Unions Learning from the Source: Digital Stories of Our Heroes Learning from the Source: Media & Migrant Laborer Perspectives Primary Source Learning: September 11, 2001 Capturing an Oral History: Tips for Students Billy the Kid: … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Western Expansion & Manifest Destiny
November 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This set of primary sources and teaching resources focuses, primarily, on the time period 1800-1860. Western expansion stories from America's Library Western expansion timeline (includes primary source activities) Primary Source sets Western expansion (includes teacher guide) Primary Source Learning: Expansion & Reform (includes learning activity) Primary source collections Pioneering the Upper Midwest: Books from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, 1820-1910 … [Read more...]
Today in History: Erie Canal
October 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–October 26–the Library of Congress features the Erie Canal, which opened on this day in 1825. Harnessing gravity, the 363-mile waterway flowed from Buffalo, New York on the east coast of Lake Erie to the upper Hudson River at Albany. Decried by many as "Clinton's Folly", New York Governor DeWitt Clinton, the canal proved to be tremendously successful and encouraged settlement of the upper Midwest. Find out more about the Erie Canal by visiting the Today in History section, then … [Read more...]
Today in History: Laura Ingalls Wilder
February 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–February 7–the Library of Congress features writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, born on this date in 1867. Ingalls Wilder became well known for her semi-autobiographical stories collectively known as the Little House on the Prairie series. Learn more this iconic writer of American pioneer life and discover primary sources that will help illuminate her stories by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below. Laura Ingalls Wilder Born from America's … [Read more...]
Today in History: Johnny Appleseed
September 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 26–the Library of Congress features Johnny Appleseed, born Jonathan Chapman on this day in 1775. Chapman earned his nickname because he planted nurseries and individual apple trees across 100,000 square miles of wilderness and prairie in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section and visiting the links below. Jonathan Chapman brief bio from America’s Library "Johnny Appleseed - A Pioneer Hero" … [Read more...]
French photography pioneer Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. Check out our 
North American railroads switched to Standard Railway Time. Check out our