Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Midwest Region
Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) is the premier educational program by the Library of Congress, focused on helping educators enhance students’ critical thinking and analysis skills and content knowledge using the Library’s collections of millions of digitized primary sources. The TPS Midwest Region at Illinois State University covers 17 states situated in the center of the United States, from Minnesota to Louisiana.
Announcements
MIDWEST
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Summer 2022 Workshop
-
- Fundamentals of Primary Source Instruction – Meetings on Tue, June 7 & Tue, July 26 from 10:00–11:30 am Central.
- Advanced Primary Source Instruction (prerequisite: Fundamentals of PSI) – Meetings on Thu, June 9 & Thu, July 28 from 10:00–11:30 am Central.
Learn to utilize digital primary sources from the Library of Congress, create activities that facilitate the Common Core Standards, and engage students in active learning. Self-paced course, 25 PD hours. Email Dr. Judy Bee or call (309) 438-3441. Register for Courses
Teaching with Primary Sources in the Elementary Classroom
Asynchronous, 7-hour self-paced course by Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, Collaborative for Educational Services, Mars Hill University, & TPS Midwest Region. Free for Ed Leaders Network members, including all Illinois public school educators. | Information
TPS CONSORTIUM MEMBERS
WEBINARS/WORKSHOPS
Jewish Americans: History and Identity
May 18 or 25, 6:30pm CT. Workshop, Institute for Curriculum Services. Information | Registration
Primary Sources and Digital Media Literacy
May 19, 6:00–7:00 pm CT. Webinar, National Council for the Social Studies. Information | Registration
Beyond the Bubble History Assessments
May 25, 6:00–7:00 pm CT. Webinar, Stanford History Education Group. Information & Registration
RESOURCES
Discussing Ukraine
TPS Consortium member Jessica Ellison suggests approaching the topic of Ukraine with younger students through the lens of peace with primary source posters (The "A Lens of Peace" discussion can be found in the Culturally Relevant Pedagogy group on the TPS Teachers Network). Tuyen Tran also provides a link to a curated Google doc with resources related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine for older students.
Exploring the Writing Process with Primary Source Materials
This initiative from the American Writers Museum complements classroom writing instruction with activities using primary sources from the Library of Congress that inspire, motivate, and empower students to write. Students will learn more about the steps of the writing process, including journaling, drafting, revision, editing, collaboration, and publishing. The initiative offers teacher-created lesson plans as well as student exercises that can be incorporated into class curricula or used for individual study. | Access
Upcoming TPS Micro-credentials
These professional development opportunities will provide job-embedded training in integrating inquiry learning with primary sources into instruction across grades and disciplines. From Citizen U, National Education Association (NEA), TPS Western Region, & Right Question Institute. Micro-credentials are free for NEA members; Citizen U has vouchers for non-NEA members to gain free access. Contact Julie Schaul | Access the TPS Micro-credential Library.
Regional Mini-Grants for TPS Consortium Members
These small grants will support partners who wish to investigate the impact of their TPS-related work, extend their TPS work by presenting about their grant activities at professional development events and conferences, or conduct follow-up TPS professional development workshops and courses. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis but must be approved in advance. For more information about applying for a mini-grant, please contact Dr. Richard Satchwell at resatch@ilstu.edu or call (309) 438-3441.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Virtual Student Workshops at the Library of Congress
Anytime: Tues through Thurs between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm CT, except for federal holidays, on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to staff availability | Access request form