Teaching with Primary Sources 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
Spring 2021 Online Professional Development
- Fundamentals of Primary Source Instruction – Online meetings on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (4–5:30 CST) and Tuesday, April 6, 2021 (4–5:30 CST)
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Advanced Primary Source Instruction (prerequisite: Fundamentals of Primary Source Instruction) meetings on Thursday, January 28, 2021 (4–5:30 CST) and Thursday, April 8, 2021 (4-5:30 CST). All times are Central Time.
Gain knowledge and skills needed to utilize digital primary sources from the Library of Congress website, create activities and lessons that facilitate the Common Core Standards, and engage students in active learning while developing critical thinking skills and constructing knowledge. This course is self-paced and can be taken for 25 PD hours. For more information, email Judy Bee or call ( 309) 438-3441 . Register for Courses
Now through June 2021: Monthly webinars on racial equity
Learn strategies for using Library of Congress primary sources to dismantle racism, build empathy, and discover solutions as students gain skills in civic-mindedness. Register for these free webinars supported by the Library’s TPS program with Barat Education Foundation and DePaul University.
Feb 19–Apr 2: Accessing Inquiry for Students with Disabilities through Primary Sources
Gain strategies and tools to support students with disabilities in learning history and social science from this online graduate course by the Collaborative for Educational Services.
Feb 22–26: Teacher Librarian Day 2021 will be online
This year's “New Directions” theme is meant to honor the efforts of teachers throughout the pandemic, highlight the importance of purposeful pedagogy, and reflect on our overall place in history. Register for this free event hosted by the TPS Western Region.
June 2021: Volunteer to be a National History Day contest judge
National History Day (NHD) is looking for educators and others to judge student projects at this year’s contest which will be held virtually. Register to judge for one or multiple contests.
Mar 3–30: Teaching Inquiry with English Learners through Primary Sources
Gain tools and strategies to teach learners with diverse learning needs, featuring inquiry and primary sources in this online workshop hosted by the TPS Western Region and Emerging America.
Volunteer to transcribe the Library's historical documents
The By the People project invites learners to explore collections while helping make data more usable and discoverable. Find out how to become a virtual volunteer for the Library of Congress.