Primary Sources

Lincoln’s Birthday | Thomas Moran, Painter | Cotton Mather

Jump to: Preparation Procedure Evaluation Working in groups, students plan, take, and document a trip around the world in 1896 using the World's Transportation Commission collection. This collection presents documentary evidence concerning the role of technology at the turn of the twentieth century and raises questions about European and American views of the world during the fin de siecle. These activities require students to explore these points of view at the turn of the twentieth century and to explore perceptions and misperceptions of the world outside Europe and the United States during the same time period.

Child labor and the reform movement opposed to it documented in photographs, cartoons, audio interviews, and newspapers.

Teacher-created lesson plans using Library of Congress primary sources.

Sets of primary sources on specific topics.

Jump to: Preparation Procedure Evaluation This lesson plan introduces the practice of using primary sources; where to find primary sources, what they are, how to examine them, and how to construct a context to tell more of the story.

Victor 17581. Matrix/Take: B-13709/3.

Jump to: Preparation Procedure Evaluation Students explore the local history of the community in which they live through written and spoken stories; through landmarks such as buildings, parks, restaurants, or businesses; and through traditions such as food, festivals and other events of the community or of individual families. Students learn the value of local culture and traditions as primary sources. They relate stories, landmarks and traditions of their community to history, place and environment.

Jump to: Preparation Procedure Evaluation Using photos, documents, and music from the Library's digital collections, students investigate rituals and customs of various cultures.