Top of page

Archive: May 2019 (10 Posts)

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Asking Students to Re-Imagine a Living Newspaper Play with Playbills from the Federal Theatre Project

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

In the May 2019 issue of Social Education, the journal of the National Council for the Social Studies, our “Sources and Strategies” article discusses the Federal Theatre Project. The article focuses on one play, One Third of a Nation, a Living Newspaper production. Living Newspaper productions addressed social issues of the day, typically presenting factual information in mostly fictionalized ways to audiences.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

And to Think That I Saw It in Union Square: Primary Sources Representing Public Space

Posted by: Stephen Wesson

Union Square opened as a public park in 1839, and by the first decades of the twentieth century was an established destination for anyone who wanted to stroll under the trees, shop for flowers, or just sit and read a newspaper. But it was also the site of a variety of large and small public demonstrations and events.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Empowering Your Students to Identify Problems by Connecting with Inventors from the Past

Posted by: Danna Bell

With the use of the engineering design process in science instruction and the advent of the maker movement, students are asked to identify problems and develop solutions. Solutions can be refined and improved through testing and modifications. The hands-on nature of working through the engineering design process can be engaging, but identifying or finding problems can be a difficult task for students.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Teaching with Historical Children’s Books

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

The process of selecting books published long ago for a present-day audience provoked thoughtful conversations among our staff. We knew that the style of writing, the subject matter, and even the jokes found in century-old books might be difficult for young readers today to engage with. We knew that every book that we selected would inevitably reflect some of the attitudes, perspectives and beliefs of its own time, as well as failing to represent diverse authors and audiences.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Mathematics and Primary Sources: In Search of the Perfect Calendar

Posted by: Danna Bell

Sometimes analyzing primary sources can help us reflect on commonplace aspects of our culture that we take for granted, illustrating how arbitrary they are, or how they change over time. John Collins’ 1939 “Proposed Utopian Calendar”, an attempt to reform the Gregorian calendar, provides an opportunity for students to practice historical, mathematical, and scientific reasoning to reflect on how humans have historically sought to organize our activities.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Primary Sources for Musical Learning: Exploring the Cuban-American Musical Heritage of Emilio and Gloria Estefan Part 2 — Cultural Memory and Musical Legacies

Posted by: Danna Bell

This year, the Library of Congress celebrates the artistry of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, recipients of the 2019 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. In their honor we explore a Cuban-American recording from the Library of Congress that leads us to an exciting game, a groundbreaking educational institution, and a deeper appreciation for America’s diverse cultural communities.