Library of Congress
Loc: The Civil War: The Nation Moves Toward War
Examine the causes of the Civil War using primary source documents. This lesson plan gives background on the Civil War, includes a timeline, and a bibliography for further reading. Primary source documents include music, newspapers,...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Grapes of Wrath: Voices From the Great Depression
By examining primary sources, including songs, newspapers, interviews, and photographs of migrant farm workers in California during the Great Depression, students create a scrapbook from the point of view of a migrant worker, providing...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Women's Suffrage: Their Rights and Nothing Less
Primary sources reveal the true resistance suffragists faced as they fought for women's right to vote. Through this collection of lessons, students will "understand the societal role of women from 1840 to 1920" and explore the history of...
Library of Congress
Loc: Sourcing a Document: The First Thanksgiving
In this activity, students discuss the reliability of a painting of the First Thanksgiving to introduce the idea that is crucial to consider a source's date.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Lives in Two Centuries: What Is an American?
In 1782 Jean de Crevecoeur published Letters from an American Farmer in which he defined an American as a "descendent of Europeans" who, if he were "honest, sober and industrious," prospered in a welcoming land of opportunity which gave...
Library of Congress
Loc: Baseball, Race Relations and Jackie Robinson
In this instructional activity, students draw on their previous studies of American history and culture as they analyze primary sources from Jackie Robinson and Other Baseball Highlights, 1860s-1960s in American Memory. A close reading...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Baseball, Race, and Ethnicity: Rounding the Bases
Using primary documents as resources, students examine the connection between America's favorite pastime, baseball, and race.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Recreation Yesterday and Today
Primary texts from the 1920s and 1930s launch an exploration of entertainment and recreation popular during that time in America's history. Students will research rural and nationwide experiences from this time and, in turn, make...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Civil War Through a Child's Eye
Historical fiction and primary texts provide students with new perspectives on the Civil War era, specifically through the eyes of a child who lived during this time.
Library of Congress
Loc: Presidential Election of 1960
What made the election of 1960 so different? Some political analysts call this election a turning point in American politics. Here's a brief overview of the election and questions to answer.