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Posted by: Danna Bell
Invasive species overtake both ecosystems and news headlines. Historical primary sources, such as newspapers from Chronicling America, paired with modern periodicals, reveal how organisms introduced into new ecological contexts can cause unexpected consequences.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Cheryl Lederle
National Poetry month, a month to celebrate poetry, is a perfect time to explore the Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature. Some of the readings focus closely on the poems; others include musings on the selections and what inspired them. Some of the recordings are of a single poet, and others are panels or conversations between two or more poets. Hearing a poem in the poet's voice brings it to life in unexpected ways, and the range of poets offers something for all lovers of poetry.
Posted in: Poetry and Literature
Posted by: Cheryl Lederle
On April 14, at 4 pm, ET, join staff from the Library of Congress for a free webinar outlining approaches and thinking processes for selecting primary sources to deepen student engagement and content knowledge.
Posted in: News and Events
Posted by: Anne Savage
Teaching difficult topics using carefully selected primary sources can help students connect the past to the present. Looking at events through the lens of history can often make approaching a difficult topic easier.
Posted in: African American History, Contemporary United States (1945-present), Teaching Strategies
Posted by: Danna Bell
In the most recent "Right to the Source" column in NSTA’s magazine The Science Teacher, Michael Apfeldorf discusses reactions in the early 20th century to reports of life on Mars. He explains that as early as 1894, scientists noted that conditions on Mars would not support life, but wild theories persisted in popular media. That reminded us of the Library's many April Fools' Day posts featuring primary sources that should not be taken at face value.
Posted in: Development of the Industrial United States (1877-1914), Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
What makes a fairy tale a fairy tale? Many students in younger grades read them. They both listen to them and study them as a class. Fairy tale recordings in the National Jukebox can help students explore common elements of fairy tales, which can give them a grounding for deeper study.
Posted in: Poetry and Literature, Young Learners
Posted by: Stephen Wesson
This Tuesday, teachers and school librarians will have an opportunity to ask Library of Congress experts about the Rosa Parks papers. A Reddit “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session from 9 to 12 a.m. (ET) in the AskHistorians subreddit will include education specialists from the Library, as well as staff who organized and described the papers of this civil rights legend.
Posted in: News and Events
Posted by: Danna Bell
The Library of Congress is home to millions of historical primary sources, including documents related to the work of Congress. Teachers can explore Congress.gov, the official website for U.S. federal legislative information, and consider how federal legislation can launch science learning.
Posted in: Government and Law, Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
Throughout history, humans have devised methods for transporting, testing, and transforming water, a limited natural resource. Examining historical primary sources invites students to grapple with the local, global, social, political, and scientific dimensions of water.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math