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Welcome to Our Second Year

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“The Library of Congress means many different things to many people. But for teachers and students it represents a source of discovery and learning unlike any other.”

Construction of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., April 19, 1893

Those sentences were part of this blog’s first post, which went live one year ago today. In the 113 or so posts that followed, we’ve tried to live up to that statement. We’ve introduced some of the primary sources that make the Library unique, along with the teaching skills that can help teachers unlock those sources’ potential.

This has led us through a wide range of topics, from ancient maps to contemporary poetry, from primary source analysis skills to a mystery about To Kill a Mockingbird. Most importantly, this has led to lively discussions with educators from around the world, and to exchanges of ideas that, we hope, will spark further discovery by teachers and students.

With that in mind, we’d like to thank everyone who’s contributed to making this blog a success. And as we celebrate, the best gift you could give us would be your thoughts on how to proceed from here.

What posts have you found especially helpful in the first year of this blog? And what would you like to see us discuss in the future?

Comments (12)

  1. I’ve enjoyed every post! I really liked the variety of ideas, topics, and the various authors. I also enjoy the frequency of posts. This is a wonderful resources for educators.

  2. I have several “favorites” from the time I “found” this. I used both the one on “Primary Source Analysis” and “Library of Congress Search: Making it Easier to Find and Use Primary Sources.” Personally, I loved “George Washington’s Rules of Civility” so much that I located them at http://www.history.org/almanack/life/manners/rules2.cfm and printed them for my own family to discuss and enjoy.

    I love this resource!

  3. Thank You, Library of Congreff. This brought tears of Joy to my eyes. Knowledge is the greatest of all treasures. Possibly our Nations’ Greatest Institution for Success in the Future, from the Foresight of our past. “You can shoot all the Jays you want, but it is a Sin to Kill a Mockingbird”. ~ Jared Chiddix

  4. There is so much fun material on this site and it is so inspirational! I wish I had more time in the classrrom to go over the little nuggets that make US History so interesting.

  5. I really have enjoyed the posts on the Civil War. I created a lesson using Primary sources on the Civil War and have a passion cor that era, so the blogs have been very information.

  6. I would like to see blogs about science, that is my favorite branch……of course, I like the history of the United States, specially of the 13 Colonies…..I studied something the generals of the president Abraham Lincoln, including Ulisses Grant and George Armstrong Custer

  7. I would like the free George Washington portrait and lesson plans that you talked about on Fox Sunday with Chris Wallace but I can’t find how to request these materials on your website. ??? help please

  8. Congratulations on a successful first year!

  9. To follow up with Sheryl at comment #7: That television appearance was by a staff member from George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. The best way to find the portrait and lesson plans would likely be to search Mount Vernon’s Web site, http://www.mountvernon.org.

  10. This is such a blessing for those of us in America’s heartland. There are 65 school librarians in this parish who are kept notified about the site. If you are ever in the Lake Charles, LA area with your training bus, please let us know. THANKS.

  11. I can’t believe another year has flown by. The Blogs have been a great tool for us in working with pre-service and in-service teachers. I have recommended specific Blogs to teachers again and again, and they find them extremely informative and helpful. Keep up the good work!

  12. First of all, it is great to know that your posts are not just of the automatic kind.
    On the other hand many things were useful for me, pictures, charts, and ideas to deal with them.
    Congratulations to the whole team and thank you for sharing!!

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