US National Archives
Docsteach: To What Extent Was Reconstruction a Revolution? (Part 1)
Young scholars will examine several historical congressional records from the Reconstruction period to assess whether they show evidence that the Reconstruction period of American history should or should not be viewed as a revolution....
US National Archives
Docsteach: Wwi America: Babe Ruth's Draft Card
Students will examine the language of the WWI draft card for George Herman 'Babe' Ruth to try and determine differences between American society during World War I and the present day.
US National Archives
Docsteach: To What Extent Was Reconstruction a Revolution? (Part 2)
This activity is a continuation of the instructional activity for Part 1. In it, students will examine the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and determine whether their analysis of this document changes their responses to the guiding question in...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Effects of Food Regulation in the Progressive Era
In this activity, students will see and read about the differences in food manufacturing practices before and after the new food laws passed in 1906: the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The First Amendment
In this activity learners will analyze documents that span the course of American history to determine their connection to the different phrases found within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The New Deal: Revolution or Reform?
Students will analyze primary sources related to the New Deal. They will analyze specific documents to determine if overall the New Deal represents a revolution or a reform in our history.
US National Archives
Docsteach: To Sign or Not to Sign
Students will consider the arguments made by members of the Continental Congress regarding whether or not to sign the Declaration of Independence. They will also have the opportunity to analyze each section of the Declaration to...
US National Archives
Docsteach: We the People
In this activity, students will examine the original and final drafts of the Constitution and evaluate the significance of the selection of the words 'We the People.'
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Legislative Process: Congress at Work
Students will analyze historical records of the House and Senate to understand the sequence of steps in the legislative process. The students will work collaboratively to study documents and identify the step in the process that each...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Finding American Symbols
Young scholars will identify symbols used in the original design of the Great Seal of the United States (1782) and assess how the symbols connect with important American ideas.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Guess Who?: Analyzing Einstein's Citizenship Application
Students will examine and interpret information from a Declaration of Intention document to discover the individual applying for citizenship in the United States - Albert Einstein.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Prequel to Independence
In this activity, students sequence key events leading to the Declaration of Independence by placing documents in chronological order.
US National Archives
Docs Teach: "A Date Which Will Live in ": Two Versions of Fdr's Infamy Speech
This activity presents students with two versions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous speech following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor-an earlier typewritten draft and his final reading copy. Students will read, analyze, and...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Letter to President Abraham Lincoln From Annie Davis
Students will study a letter from Annie Davis, a woman who was enslaved in Maryland and wrote a letter to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War to find out if 'we are free.' The students will decide if she received her freedom...
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article I (Lab Team 1)
In this activity young scholars will analyze the Oaths of Senators for the Impeachment Trial of William Jefferson Clinton and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article I, sections 1-7 of the Constitution in...
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article I (Lab Team 2)
In this activity students will analyze the Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article I, sections 8-10 of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii (Lab Team 3)
In this activity students will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Iii (Lab Team 4)
In this activity students will analyze the Opinion of the Court by Chief Justice Earl Warren in the Case of Miranda v. Arizona and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article III of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Iv (Lab Team 5)
In this activity students will analyze the Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article IV of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
In this activity, students will review and analyze the founding documents of the United States and understand Benjamin Frankin's contributions and connections to these founding documents. Franklin was the only man to help shape all of...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Assimilation of American Indians
In this activity, students will analyze primary sources to determine the role and activities the federal government undertook in an attempt to 'Americanize' or assimilate Native Americans.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Titanic Survivors: One Ship, Two Different Worlds
This short analysis activity asks students to examine two claims filed by survivors of the April 15, 1912 Titanic disaster to understand the vast class differences between a first class passenger and a steerage passenger. Students will...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Inevitable Accident or Wrongful Act: Judging the Titanic Disaster
This activity asks students to analyze evidence presented in the 'In the Matter of the Petition of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for Limitation of its Liability as owner of the steamship TITANIC' case that began after...
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Titanic Disaster: Measuring Loss of Life, Property and Injuries
Students will analyze claims filed by survivors, families of victims and owners of cargo of the Titanic disaster. They will examine claims for loss of life, loss of property and injuries that were filed as part of 'In the Matter of the...