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Posted by: Danna Bell
This post is by Jen Reidel, the 2019-2020 Library of Congress Teacher in Residence. In 1958, President Eisenhower designated May 1 as Law Day to recognize the influence of the rule of law within our government and society. Use primary sources to facilitate a conversation with students about legal concepts like justice and due process.
Posted in: Government and Law
Posted by: Danna Bell
Explore three new collections that the Library of Congress has recently placed online: the papers of Andrew Johnson, Chester Alan Arthur and William McKinley.
Posted in: Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877), Development of the Industrial United States (1877-1914), Government and Law, Presidents
Posted by: Danna Bell
One tool to make the process more engaging is to use the Library of Congress’ official site for federal legislative information, Congress.gov. The website offers a variety of information to support student learning. The Legislative Process section provides nine short videos detailing specific aspects of how a bill becomes law.
Posted in: Government and Law, Teaching Tools
Posted by: Danna Bell
Get suggestions on how to use court cases to teach civic principles, historic moments and the structure of the court system.
Posted in: Government and Law, Industrial United States, World Wars and the Great Depression (1914-1945)
Posted by: Danna Bell
Now in 2020, over 100 years after this photograph was taken, the United States is once again preparing to undertake its decennial census, mandated by the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of determining how many seats in Congress go to each state.
Posted in: Government and Law, Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
Environmental case studies such as Donora, Pennsylvania, offer students the opportunity to evaluate the system of federalism in context of a historical event. In addition, this event may stretch students’ understanding of when and why society began to focus on the impact of air pollution on the environment.
Posted in: Contemporary United States (1945-present), Government and Law
Posted by: Danna Bell
Examining historical statistical atlases is a useful way for students to practice geographic thinking and data literacy skills while gaining insights into American history.
Posted in: Geography and Maps, Government and Law
Posted by: Danna Bell
Primary sources related to Cherokee removal offer a rich and complex story detailing how the systems of federalism and separation of powers failed to protect Cherokee treaty rights.
Posted in: Geography and Maps, Government and Law, Native American History
Posted by: Danna Bell
Through primary source inquiry and discussion, teachers can present a more nuanced telling of school desegregation and the complexity of state-federal relationships.
Posted in: African American History, Contemporary United States (1945-present), Government and Law