Nat'l Archives Exploration

Stevie Kline

Dianne Krause

Hi Everyone!! I am so excited about connecting with Dave Rosenbaum at our National Archives!! We have so much to share with you and it is all FREE! Yes, FREE, absolutely, positively, for ever and ever FREE!!!

The purpose of this session is to demonstrate how teaching with primary documents encourages a varied learning environment for teachers and students alike. Analysis of documents, independent research, and group work become a gateway for research with historical records in ways that sharpen students’ critical thinking skills and enthusiasm. By combining elements from the National Archives two teacher recommended videoconferencing lessons (http://www.bcisdvc.org/programs01/FMPro), “Introduction to the National Archives and Records Administration” and “The Constitution” (http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-workshop/), David Rosenbaum, Education Specialist, will help participants analyze primary sources such as FDR's "Date Which Will Live in Infamy" speech, photographs from the Civil War, and the canceled check for the purchase of Alaska. Participants will analyze facsimile copies of the U.S. Constitution and describe its importance in our lives today. Using document analysis worksheets (http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-workshop/#worksheets) created by the Archives, participants will examine and analyze the patent drawing for the original “Monopoly” game and a letter written to a president by an elementary student to determine their relevance to the U.S. Constitution. By examining FDR's "Date Which Will Live in Infamy" speech, participants will analyze and evaluate the importance of revision and word choice in writing. The vast resources of our National Archives are available electronically at no cost to our citizens and schools. David Rosenbaum is also available to conduct free videoconferences to support teachers and their students. These free videoconferences are scheduled by request on an individual basis (education@nara.gov). If given enough lead time, special requests may be accommodated. Citizens no longer have to travel to Washington D.C. to experience the National Archives. Upon completion of this lesson participants will be able to: • Identify the purpose of the National Archives and Records Administration • Discuss the value to our democracy of free and open access to primary documents • Navigate the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov • Describe a Constitutional form of government • Critically examine, analyze and evaluate a variety of primary sources Historical Analysis and Skill Development are learned through and applied to the standards statements and their descriptors for 8.2. Pennsylvania History, 8.3. United States History and 8.4. World History. 8.1.12.C Evaluate historical interpretation of events. 8.1.12.D Synthesize historical research.

We have several documents that we will explore and also take a tour of the website. http://www.archives.gov/