Classroom Connections
Use this chart to consider topics or units you will teach related to US History (Creating the US, Civil War, 1930s or another related
topic) and ways to engage students. To brainstorm more than one topic, use the back.
Start with the first two columns – add to your knowledge and consideration of primary sources as we move through the first two days and you become more
familiar with www.loc.gov
Background Knowledge
What are the facts?
What is the context?
Inquiry*
Once students have background
knowledge, in what investigations and
discoveries will they be engaged?
Primary Sources
List possible primary sources that can
provide evidence for claims students
make during their investigations
Evaluating your primary sources
This is a preliminary step to building your
primary source packet
Topic I
Topic I
Topic I
[remember primary sources
are…original, biased, incomplete, parts
of a puzzle, engaging, and authentic]
Zero in on your choice of topic from
among those you are considering.
a. background knowledge
Inquiry – what do you want your students
to discover about this topic?
Sample investigative question(s):
b. where students will get it
Instructional Scaffolding needed:
Check the primary sources you have
been selecting:
 What multiple perspectives are
represented?
 How many different types of files?
Can you think of others you might
add?
 Which ones of these sources lend
themselves best to matching with an
analysis tool?
 How can you adapt the Library of
Congress analysis tool to better
reach your students’ abilities and
level of understanding?
Topic II
Topic II
Topic II– primary sources:
Inquiry – what do you want your students
to discover about this topic?
a. background knowledge
Sample investigative question(s):
b. where students will get it
Instructional Scaffolding needed:
Topic III
Topic III
Topic III– primary sources:
Inquiry – what do you want your students
to discover about this topic?
a. background knowledge
Sample investigative question(s):
b. where students will get it
Instructional Scaffolding needed:
*inquiry: Focus on the use of questions to spark curiosity, guide instruction, deepen investigations, acquire rigorous content, and apply
knowledge and ideas in real world settings to enable students to become active and engaged citizens in the 21 st century.