New and Noteworthy

War of 1812 Bicentennial

The War of 1812 helped shape the boundaries and national identities of the U.S. and Canada. Visit our spotlight page for resources such as an online interactive game about a sailor’s life aboard “Old Ironsides,” a lesson plan review on The Star-Spangled Banner, and the U.S. Navy’s commemorative tall ship schedule.

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Elementary

The Power of Everyday Objects

How can clothing, food, or household items help students learn about the past? American Girl author Valerie Tripp shares ways that she has used everyday objects to spark curiosity in the minds of young people. Bring objects into your classroom today! Learn more.

Middle

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

How do you draw students into the story of history without sacrificing the facts? Watch as middle school teacher Bill Kendrat combines primary source investigation with roleplaying to have sixth-graders explore the events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Watch here.

High

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Visit our Days of Remembrance spotlight page to learn about a website that allows students to develop videos using survivor testimonies, find strategies on teaching difficult subjects, and explore resources on observing the day at your school. Learn more.

Primary Sources

Tech for Teachers

Enduring Outrage: Editorial Cartoons of Herblock

Herb Block’s career as a political cartoonist spanned nearly 70 years mostly spent at The Washington Post. He covered topics as diverse as McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, and the Chernobyl nuclear accident. This Library of Congress website offers 32 cartoons related to seven themes popular in his work: the environment, ethics, extremism, voting, the Middle East, privacy/security, and war. Each cartoon can be downloaded and is accompanied by brief contextual information. Learn more!

Cell Phones as Classroom Tools

A recent Pew Research Center report found that 88% of teen cell phone users text message. Why not channel that in the classroom through free online tools that can turn cell phones into handheld clicker response systems? Using Poll Everywhere or Socrative, cell phones can become tools for encouraging discussion and checking for understanding. Explore ideas for using these tools and find strategies for managing cell phone usage in the classroom effectively. Learn more!