George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt were monumental men who made significant contributions to the United States. Through the lens of both primary and secondary sources, students learn about the characters and contributions of these presidents and determine for themselves the qualities and accomplishments that make someone worthy of a lasting tribute. To…
Zoom into a detailed image of this game board (.pdf). Describe one thing you find interesting, one thing you think is curious or strange, and one thing you have a question about. Rules. This Game is played with Two Dice or a Tee-To-Tum; and any Number of Persons can play at it. From No. 1, in…
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are two of the most famous U.S. presidents. This project helps students to learn about these presidents through the lens of both primary and secondary sources. Students will also investigate different types of primary sources, learn how portraits are created to convey information, and consider their own presidential potential. To…
Why do you think the creator titled this cartoon “A Thanksgiving Truce”? Use specific details from the source to support your response. What do you think the bear meant when it said (with deep feeling), “Here’s hoping that when next we meet, we see you first”? What more can you learn by reading the source record?…
Explain what you know about opera. Click the image above to access the digital book. Choose one opera and read the description. Summarize the story for a friend. Listen to one of the songs from the opera you selected. Then fill out a sensory exploration chart as you listen to the recording again. After, describe…
Primary source analysis ideas from the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog Source bibliographic record Poem by Alice Duer Miller (printed at the bottom of the source) Look forward, women, always; utterly cast away The memory of hate and struggle and bitterness; Bonds may endure for a night, but freedom comes with the day, And…
The September 25, 2012 Today in History post featured William Faulkner, creator of the fictional Yoknapatawpha County which was based upon and inspired by Lafayette County, Mississippi. Find out all about the real state of Mississippi through a review of thousands of primary sources available online from the Library of Congress. Mississippi primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Mississippi…
Which U.S. states had buildings at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago? Label them with their state abbreviations on the map. Describe 10 objects you see on the map; on another page, note the location of each object (hint: use the map coordinates). Pass your object description list to someone and challenge that friend to…
Zoom into this map (online | .pdf) and use the primary source analysis tool (digital | paper) to analyze this source. Read “Damn the Torpedoes!” from the New York Times Disunion series, then take another look at this map. Explain new insights into this map that you gained. Analyze another primary source related to the 1864 Battle of…
Use the zoom feature online or access a larger image of this map (zoomable map | enlarged map). What details do you notice first? What else strikes you as interesting? Why do you think John Smith made this map? What scale is used for this map? What scale is typically used for maps today? The map…
Explain what you think this political cartoon is trying to say, using details from the illustration to support your conclusions. Jim Crow is the name often used to refer to segregation laws and customs following the U.S. Civil War. Do you think this cartoon is a good argument for or against African American rights? Why? Jump…
Use a magnifying glass to study the details of this design drawing? What did you learn? What types of skills do you need to have to be an industrial designer? What similar types of skills do you have? Imagine a new industrial product and sketch the design. How will this product advance industry? What other…