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Oral Histories of World War II - Aaron Elson
Grades
6 to 12
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Here you'll find a podcast collection of oral histories from people involved in the war. Click Podcast from the left menu to find the stories of the men in the ...more
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Here you'll find a podcast collection of oral histories from people involved in the war. Click Podcast from the left menu to find the stories of the men in the author's father's tank battalion. Many of the segments could use some additional context, but they effectively capture the scope and intensity of the experience.
tag(s): oral history (14), primary sources (117), veterans (20), world war 2 (151)
In the Classroom
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of WWI. Open the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector to have students hear some of the interviews from veterans of the Great War. Play the interviews following a lecture, and have students write down their responses at the end. This will insure students are listening and provide direction for a classroom discussion afterward.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Japanese American Relocation
Grades
6 to 12
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This digital archive from the University of California offers narrative and images describing the forced internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II. It offers a...more
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This digital archive from the University of California offers narrative and images describing the forced internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II. It offers a troubling comparison to events that took place in other nations during the war. Interesting possibilities for discussions on discrimination, national security, etc.
tag(s): japan (56), japanese (47), world war 2 (151)
In the Classroom
If looking for primary sources about Japanese relocation, this site is a treasure trove of images, letters, diary entries, orders, etc. This site provides material from both the camp and the Japanese forced to relocate there, making the perfect source for a lesson examining all sides of the issue. There are also essential question hosted on this site that could lend themselves to discussions or journal prompts to introduce the topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Diplomatic and Political Documents of World War II
Grades
9 to 12
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This is a collection of primary documents from the World War II era stretching from Neville Chamberlain's "peace in our time" declaration to the Japanese and German surrender documents....more
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This is a collection of primary documents from the World War II era stretching from Neville Chamberlain's "peace in our time" declaration to the Japanese and German surrender documents. It's a great resource for studying history based on documentary evidence.
tag(s): world war 2 (151)
In the Classroom
There are virtually tons of resources in this site about WWII. Use this site as a base point for students working on research projects based on some aspect of the war. Students can use it to garner ideas about a topic or find more information about a topic they already have. Be sure to post this on the teacher web page to allow students to access it both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Documenting America - Library of Congress
Grades
8 to 12
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This site is based on the Library of Congress collection of thousands of photos taken in the 1930s and early 1940s. They document everyday life during the depression and the ...more
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This site is based on the Library of Congress collection of thousands of photos taken in the 1930s and early 1940s. They document everyday life during the depression and the years leading up to World War II. Geographic and chronological indexes make this collection an interesting research tool and photo source.
tag(s): great depression (29), primary sources (117)
In the Classroom
So many of these pictures can be used in your classroom whether it be as for an activity, such as a picture walk or a visual discovery; or as an introduction or supplement to text materials to studying events such as the Great Depression.For use as a visual discovery, select 3-5 images from this site, choosing the most powerful and moving images. Placing the images on individual slides, allow students 1-2 minutes to observe each image. During that time period, students should be taking notes based on what they observe, predict and infer about each image. The more powerful and detailed the image is, the more information students can take out. After the class has observed all the chosen images, have a class discussion based on the notes students took. This is a great way to introduce content in a way that gets students thinking, as well as avoiding the typical lecture format.
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American Life Histories - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12
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Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project (1936-40) ...more
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Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project (1936-40)
tag(s): biographies (95), primary sources (117)
In the Classroom
Use quotes from the interview page as starters or "do nows" for when your kids first come into your classroom. Select the quote that seems most likely to get students thinking or even communicative and have them respond in writing or verbally their reactions to the quote. Students could be specifically looking at perspective, biases, point of view, context or really just the quote itself in their responses. This kind of a starter is great to open up class with because it focuses students on the topic as well as previews what class that day will be about.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Digital Moving Images Collection - Early Motion Pictures - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12
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This site has film clips of American Factories, The McKinley Era, New York circa 1900, San Francisco before and after the earthquake, and other indexed historical early films. The clips...more
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This site has film clips of American Factories, The McKinley Era, New York circa 1900, San Francisco before and after the earthquake, and other indexed historical early films. The clips are long, so take a few minutes to download, but the results could illustrate a history lesson or a communications study. This site also links to Edison's early motion picture and sound recordings. Students can also use these for primary research for National History Day or other major projects.
In the Classroom
Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson on a projector. Because the clips are long, make sure to preview them to help decide whether to play the whole thing or just portions. This videos would be great to use during a study of Edison, or even the content covered in the videos. It could lead to a very interesting conversation as to the value of videos as resources, and what criteria we should judge them by.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Spy Letters of the American Revolution - University of Michigan
Grades
4 to 12
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This site offers a collection of resources dealing with spies and espionage during the American Revolution. In addition to copies of actual letters, there are stories about famous spies...more
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This site offers a collection of resources dealing with spies and espionage during the American Revolution. In addition to copies of actual letters, there are stories about famous spies and their impact on the conflict. There are also several neat "experiments" showing how to create secret codes, invisible ink, and other spy tricks. From the University of Michigan.
tag(s): american revolution (83)
In the Classroom
In the "Teachers Lounge" section of this website there are resources for study questions, classroom activities, themes and projects concerning primary sources. This site is an excellent way to get students interested in a time period of which they may think they know everything already. Teachers can also tie the information they learn here into a classroom discussion of espionage and its use in our world today. Definitely check this site out if looking for some fresh ideas on the American Revolution.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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World War I Document Archive - Brigham Young University
Grades
9 to 12
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Collection of primary sources from Brigham Young University. This site contains extensive, contemporary accounts of World War I events broken out both by theme and chronologically....more
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Collection of primary sources from Brigham Young University. This site contains extensive, contemporary accounts of World War I events broken out both by theme and chronologically. For students interested in working with primary sources, this site is an ideal starting point. Endless research possibilities.
tag(s): world war 1 (73)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for finding invaluable treaties and documents concerning the First World War, which can be used to discuss causes or even the ending of the war. Although it may take some time to go through all of the information, history teachers will appreciate having all of that information in one place.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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First Hand Accounts
Grades
6 to 12
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Here is a collection of first-hand accounts of selected battles and other events during World War I, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand onward. They're a great introduction...more
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Here is a collection of first-hand accounts of selected battles and other events during World War I, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand onward. They're a great introduction to the use of primary sources in studying historical events. Students may be particularly interested in comparing first-hand accounts of an event with the way in which those same events are presented today.
tag(s): world war 1 (73)
In the Classroom
Separate students into cooperative learning groups of 4-5 students, and have them look at an assigned firsthand account from the website. (Be sure to save the site as a favorite on classroom computers so students can access it quickly and without trouble.) Have students read their accounts with the end goal being that they should be able to teach their other classmates what the account says, and it's significance. These accounts do provide far more graphic information than the textbook does, so it would be interesting for students to also compare the account as to what they had learned previously. A good way to show this would be through the use of a Venn Diagram which students could present to the class after the fact. We recommend using a site such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Making of America - University of Micigan
Grades
9 to 12
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Journal and periodical articles from antebellum period through reconstruction. Most articles are images of the actual publication. From the University of Michigan. ...more
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Journal and periodical articles from antebellum period through reconstruction. Most articles are images of the actual publication. From the University of Michigan.
tag(s): civil war (135)
In the Classroom
Teachers can either use this site to refer students who are working on research project and are in need of primary sources, or they can use it to search for sources for their own classroom. The sources are primarily from the 19th century, so it would be perfect for studying the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, or the "Gilded Age."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Making of America - Cornell University
Grades
6 to 12
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Cornell University created this site based on a collection of magazines and other printed materials covering the period from roughly 1840 - 1890. The listings show images of the actual...more
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Cornell University created this site based on a collection of magazines and other printed materials covering the period from roughly 1840 - 1890. The listings show images of the actual pages from the journals, so students can see images and text as they originally appeared. This makes the site a great way for students to understand just what people of the period were seeing and reading.
tag(s): history day (40), journals (16)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource to find primary sources, whether it be for in class activities or for students working on research projects & papers. If using for classroom activities, consider having the pictures serve as prompts, introductory activities, wrap-ups or even as an analytical activity. Students can analyze whats in the picture or primary source for a variety of purposes. If using as a resource for research projects, make sure to include the site on any handouts as well as post on your class wiki or web page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lawmaking for a New Nation - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12
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Early Congressional Journals - From the Library of Congress. This site offers access to journals of the first U.S. Congresses. These journals were the precursor to today's Congressional...more
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Early Congressional Journals - From the Library of Congress. This site offers access to journals of the first U.S. Congresses. These journals were the precursor to today's Congressional Record. Primary source material for study of the Federalist period.
tag(s): congress (39), constitution (88), history day (40), politics (113)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for finding primary sources that can be used in your classroom. One great way way to do so is through visual discovery, introducing the topic of the Continental Congress. Select 3-5 images from this site, choosing the most powerful and moving images. Placing the images on individual slides, allow students 1-2 minutes to observe each image. During that time period, students should be taking notes based on what they observe, predict and infer about each image. The more powerful and detailed the image is, the more information students can take out. After the class has observed all the chosen images, have a class discussion based on the notes students took. This is a great way to introduce content in a way that engages students and gets them thinking, as well as avoiding the typical lecture format. Your visual learners will appreciate this technique.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Constitutional Convention
Grades
5 to 12
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Find interactives, podcasts, tool kits, lesson plans, original paintings from the Convention, and more at this great resource. ...more
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Find interactives, podcasts, tool kits, lesson plans, original paintings from the Convention, and more at this great resource.
tag(s): constitution (88)
In the Classroom
Look at this site before planning your unit on the Founding Fathers and the New Republic in an American History class. Lloyd has provided a new take on the convention, creating a 4 day drama that summarizes the main events. There are a lot of primary sources and fresh takes on the convention here, making this site extremely beneficial to planning ahead for your unit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Archiving Early America - Varsity Tutors
Grades
7 to 12
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An Archivist's approach to early American documents and related information. A unique array of original newspapers, maps and writings come to life on screen just as they appeared to...more
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An Archivist's approach to early American documents and related information. A unique array of original newspapers, maps and writings come to life on screen just as they appeared to our forebears more than 200 years ago. These archival materials-- forming as they do a historical record of a significant time in the American experience-- are displayed in their original formats. Special Features: Material from 18th Century America-- all displayed digitally. Historic early American documents, trivia, life in Colonial times, Colonial crossword puzzle.
tag(s): colonial america (95), primary sources (117)
In the Classroom
Not only is this site excellent for finding primary sources, but there is a great quiz offered that would be useful during a lesson reviewing a unit about the Revolution through the New Republic. If using learning centers incorporate the site, OR post the site on your class wiki to allow students to access it in and out of the classroom to practice. Very useful for an American history class!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Fur Traders & Mountain Men
Grades
5 to 12
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A look at fur trading in the Rocky Mountain west. ...more
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A look at fur trading in the Rocky Mountain west.
tag(s): westward expansion (38)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource to find primary source material about the fur traders, as well as what life was like for the first American settlers on the west. This site would be useful during a unit on Westward Expansion, and primary sources can be used a variety of ways. Try finding a shorter letter or piece and projecting it on the board as students are first walking into your classroom. Have immediate directions posted on the board, instructing students to sit down and respond to a specific aspect of the piece in some sort of journal entry. This process not only sets the tone for the material to be covered in class, but it also gives you and students the time needed to settle down and get focused and ready to learn. Great resource for an American history teacher.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Journals of Lewis & Clark - University of Virginia
Grades
9 to 12
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This site from the University of Virginia provides an edited version of Lewis & Clark's journals recounting their two-year journey to the Pacific and back. Good site for students interested...more
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This site from the University of Virginia provides an edited version of Lewis & Clark's journals recounting their two-year journey to the Pacific and back. Good site for students interested in primary sources.
tag(s): explorers (66), lewis and clark (14), westward expansion (38)
In the Classroom
Use these journal pages to supplement a unit on Westward expansion and these two men's travels. Select specific journal articles that would interest your students, sharing them on the interactive whiteboard while students have their own copies at their desks too. Read aloud the specific quotes you think are important, or have a volunteer do the same, asking students what this means, the impact, perspective, etc. This is a great way to segway into a lesson about analyzing, as well as summarization. At the end of the activity, have students summarize the articles in a journal, afterwards responding to a specific aspect they did or did not agree with. Interesting resource for a US history teacher.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lewis & Clark - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
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This is the web site for Ken Burns' PBS series on the travels of Lewis and Clark. It provides a significant resource for studying the explorers' travels, along with study ...more
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This is the web site for Ken Burns' PBS series on the travels of Lewis and Clark. It provides a significant resource for studying the explorers' travels, along with study suggestions.
tag(s): explorers (66), lewis and clark (14)
In the Classroom
Such a great site! Use this site as a resource for anything and everything concerning Lewis and Clark. Use the interactive map over the projector to show students how far their travels extended, as well as to show the growing size of the United States at that time. There is also an interactive story that could be used as a learning center, primary sources that could be used in discussion, and various other activity ideas on this site. US history teachers will appreciate this one!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Indian Peoples of the Northern Great Plains - Montana State University
Grades
4 to 12
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Created at Montana State University, this site offers archival photos, descriptions, and related information organized around the tribes of the northern great plains. These photos show...more
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Created at Montana State University, this site offers archival photos, descriptions, and related information organized around the tribes of the northern great plains. These photos show tribal customs and activities, and may sometimes be a more accurate portrayal of native American cultures than that commonly available.
tag(s): native americans (91)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a point of reference in searching for primary sources and images of the Native American tribes from the Northwest. These images could easily be used to supplement a unit on the tribes themselves, Westward Expansion, and the tensions between the US government and the various tribes in that region. Useful resource for a US history or government classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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African American Odyssey - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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The Library of Congress offers this nine-part introduction to the history of African Americans. The site relies on primary sources - images, letters, speeches - to illustrate contemporary...more
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The Library of Congress offers this nine-part introduction to the history of African Americans. The site relies on primary sources - images, letters, speeches - to illustrate contemporary views and chronicle their evolution from the Revolution through the civil rights movement. There are hundreds of ways to adapt this material to the classroom, and the site offers numerous suggestions and starting points. This one's a must!
tag(s): africa (139), african american (111)
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site for a picture-walk during a unit on African American History, from slavery to Emancipation. Print and hang pictures around the classroom, with students assigned to different stations. Have students rotate around the classroom, looking at a new image every minute. Once students have walked through everything, have a class discussion about what students saw and learned. This activity works best with a graphic organizer - to create one, we recommend using Graphic Organizer Maker, (reviewed here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Internet Modern European History Sourcebook
Grades
6 to 12
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Fordham University has created this outline of European history since about 1500, complete with links to quotable (no copyright) primary documents from various periods. It's an easy...more
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Fordham University has created this outline of European history since about 1500, complete with links to quotable (no copyright) primary documents from various periods. It's an easy to use research resource for term papers or other assignments, and also a simple way to bring historical documents into the classroom.
tag(s): primary sources (117)
In the Classroom
Use this site to obtain primary sources that can supplement classroom lectures. This site runs the gammit for World History II courses, so save it as a favorite on your classroom computer to reference it for new materials. One way to combine learning the content with learning how to interpret primary sources is to pair students in groups, with each assigned a different primary source. Have students analyze the source with the intentions of presenting it to the class. Once every group has presented their source, the class will vote "survivor style" which source is the most reliable. You would be surprised how much students get into it!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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