Professional Development Builder
Build and deliver your own staff development:
Select from 15 modular activities to create and deliver your own Library of Congress professional development.
All materials you need to deliver are included.
Download your materials in an easy-to-print PDF or exportable HTML file.
Deliver standards-based Teaching with Primary Sources professional development to educators.
Select Your Professional Development Activities
Primary Sources Overview
Understanding Primary Sources
Summary
Leaving Evidence of Our Lives
Most people produce a variety of primary sources daily. Participants will consider what primary sources they have left behind over the previous 24 hours, and how such items may be interpreted in the future.
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45 mins
Leaving Evidence of Our Lives
Summary
Lincoln's Pockets
The things we carry around with us give clues about who we are. Participants will examine the items that were in Lincoln’s pockets on the night of his assassination and discuss what might be learned from studying them.
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60 mins
Lincoln's Pockets
Analyzing Primary Sources
Summary
Analyzing Photographs
After participating in a model photograph analysis, participants independently practice analyzing a photograph. The group will discuss ways to use photograph analysis in instruction.
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90 mins
Analyzing Photographs
Summary
Analyzing Sheet Music
After participating in a model analysis, participants will independently analyze printed music and discuss ways to incorporate printed music analysis into instruction.
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90 mins
Analyzing Sheet Music
Summary
Analyzing Maps
After participating in a model map analysis, participants independently practice analyzing a map. Finally, they will discuss ways to incorporate map analysis into instruction.
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90 mins
Analyzing Maps
Summary
Analyzing Political Cartoons
Participants will analyze a political cartoon, discuss ways to incorporate political cartoons into instruction, and review additional classroom resources available online.
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90 mins
Analyzing Political Cartoons
Teaching with Primary Sources
Summary
Connecting with Primary Sources
Participants select a primary source, study it and find other participant(s) with a related item. The pairs/groups discuss and report how items relate. Activity makes an excellent icebreaker.
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45 mins
Connecting with Primary Sources
Summary
Music as Historical Artifacts
Music can provide a deeper understanding of an era’s events. Participants will explore several pieces and discuss integrating music into curriculum.
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90 mins
Music as Historical Artifacts
Summary
Perception Through Photography
How does the perception of a photographer influence the composition of image? Participants will explore this question through the analysis of photographs.
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60 mins
Perception Through Photography
Summary
Book Backdrops
Participants will be able to connect primary sources to literature through the exploration of a children’s book on Lincoln.
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180 mins
Book Backdrops
Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
Exploring www.loc.gov
Summary
Overview to www.loc.gov
After exploring the main components of www.loc.gov, participants will learn how to begin a search for primary sources in the American Memory collections, and then look closely at materials designed for teachers and students.
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90 mins
Overview to www.loc.gov
Summary
Exploring American Treasures
While exploring the "American Treasures of the Library of Congress" exhibition, participants will experience a ready-to-use activity that enables students to make connections with the past by exploring primary sources, online or onsite.
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60 mins
Exploring American Treasures
Understanding Legal and Ethical Use of Digital Resources
Summary
Understanding Copyright
Participants will practice finding copyright information for the Library’s digitized materials and learn where to find guidelines on fair use for educational purposes.
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60 mins
Understanding Copyright
Inquiry Learning and Primary Sources
Understanding the Inquiry Process
Summary
Understanding the Inquiry Process
Participants will work in groups to define the inquiry process. The facilitator will lead a discussion on the Stripling Model of Inquiry. After reading an article, participants will reflect on incorporating inquiry into their instructional setting.
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45 mins
Understanding the Inquiry Process
Creating Inquiry Activities with Primary Sources
Summary
Primary Sources and Inquiry
After participating in a model inquiry activity using a primary source, participants independently practice documenting their own inquiry learning while using primary sources. The group will discuss ways to create inquiry activities with primary sources.
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120 mins
Primary Sources and Inquiry
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