From the Library's Department of Education and Public Programs Team
October 12, 2021
Historian’s Toolbox: Building Students' Skills!
Featuring lesson plans, activities, and resources that highlight primary sources and the skills historians use; and celebrating American Archives Month
American Archives Month!
October is American Archives Month! We would like to thank archivists across the country for their hard work and dedication in preserving and making available our nation's historical records.
Ready-to-Go Resources
Resources
Rose Kennedy: Her Life and Legacy
Elementary Grades
These resources guide elementary students to become biography detectives as they investigate Rose Kennedy’s life. Three classroom activities feature documents, photographs, and a giant timeline.
Students practice historical thinking skills as they examine a photograph from JFK's high school years and write a caption that reflects their knowledge gained through observation, research, and interpretation.
Investigating the Integration of the University of Mississippi
Grades 8 - 12
In this activity, students read a transcript and listen to an excerpted audio recording of a secretly taped phone conversation between President Kennedy, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, and Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett to answer the question: "How can an audio recording enhance historical interpretation?"
But Where are the Books?: Exploring a Library that is not a Library
Why do archives matter? If you were creating a museum about Kennedy and his administration, what would you put in it? What kind of work is done at an archive and a museum? In this 45-60 minute virtual program, students consider how history is constructed as they learn about the holdings and work of the Kennedy Library. To explore booking a program, please fill out the reservation form.
Did JFK Say It?: “One Person Can Make A Difference and Everyone Should Try”
Archivists at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library have seen a lot of JFK quote memes, usually sent from people who saw them online and wanted to check out their authenticity. Learn more about how they verify quotes in this blog post.
Career Day with Middle School Students: An Archivist Reports
Have your students ever wondered what an archivist does? Read a blog post exploring this topic by one of the archivists from the JFK Library who explains to students what her job is like at a Middle School Career Day.
Caroline Kennedy opened a discussion with presidential historians Ted Widmer (who worked with the Kennedy Presidential Library selecting the recordings for the book) and Ellen Fitzpatrick, on a book highlighting the most significant tapes of the Kennedy Presidency. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tom Oliphant moderated.
On the publication of Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy joined presidential historian Michael Beschloss, who wrote the introduction and historical annotations for the book; Richard K. Donahue, former White House assistant to President Kennedy; and moderator Ted Widmer, to discuss the 1964 interviews with Mrs. Kennedy.
Explore the remastered The Presidents’ Desk digital interactive with accompanying lesson plans about JFK’s World War II service and the racial integration of higher education during the Kennedy administration from The President's Desk: A Resource Guide for Teachers: Grades 4-12. The Collections Corner features a model sailboat gifted to John Jr., which is currently on display in a new exhibition.
Throughout US history, various presidents and first ladies had china—formal dishware—designed for use at special White House dinners. The colors, patterns, and symbols on the china are unique to each presidency. Use the examples of historical presidential china to inspire your students before they create their own design with a paper plate and any craft materials they have at home.
The online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives
Teach with documents using our online tool. Explore primary sources. Discover fun and engaging teaching activities. Create your own online or print activities for your students!
The previous e-newsletter featured A President's Day and Political Debates: Advising a President lesson plans; The President's Desk Interactive and Teachers' Guide; virtual school programs; "Justice Rising: Robert Kennedy’s America in Black and White" Kennedy Library Forum; Origami LEM activity; The Profile in Courage Essay Contest; "We Rule: Civics for All of US" from the National Archives; Massachusetts DESE's Civics Project Jumpstart Workshops and Virtual Support Forums; and the National ArchivesDocument Analysis Worksheets.
In addition, all past emails from this series are available on the Library's website.
