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Primary Sources Starter Pack for Teachers: find LESSONS

Because every Subject has a History

How do I select my primary sources?


This blog post gives some advice on finding and selection primary sources for your lesson.
While it is geared to the Library of Congress website, it contains advice that can be used
within other collections.  It highlights the ways that historians often start with one document
and from there locate a new piece of information that sends you to another place... it need not
be a rabbit hole... it can be stepping stones.  Enjoy the search! 

TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES: Library of Congress

This  blends right in with the QFT... and is the perfect strategy blend to use in just about any lesson.

BTW: Apply for the Summer Teaching Week - it's awesome and will change. your. teaching. life.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

 

Their materials are spot on for use with QFT as well as a go-to site for anything government related

National History Education Clearning House

Strategies like write-arounds, using digital resources, Englsih-language learning materials, and a host of other resources, teaching strategies, and Best Practices can be found at:

EVENTS happen in PLACES

Lesson plans by theme, location, primary source - there are some incredibly COOL things you can do with Park Service lessons.

TEACHING with HISTORIC PLACES
explore NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MONUMENTS AND PARKS in the classroom
(or your neighborhood).

The Constitution Center offers....

The National Constitution Center offers many lessons using Constitutional and other documents. Each document has a range of lessons accompanying it from K-12. 
 

BEST way to find good stuff: BLOGS

BLOGS

Nearly every site / gov Agency has a blog. It's from where the BEST ideas can come! They are timely...and yet can be used anytime. Perfect for QFT; beginning of class/ending of class reflection; perfect for topic-finding. 

Here are some of my favorites for you to check out. Check in regularly. 

NARA (National Archives)
Especially check out Facial Hair Fridays

NASA
Definitely check out  Women @ NASA and Earth Right Now
   
Library of Congress
So many! Blogs for teachers, blogs about maps, culture, history, science...

National Park Service
Look at Speaking of Nature for blog posts about (well, of course) nature, but also using digital tools, the Parks and more. 

USDA
yes, agriculture. Also food and nutrition, climate change, biotechnology, health, recreation