Adams Family Papers

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This website offers images and transcription for 1,198 letters in the correspondence between John and Abigail Adams, 51 files from the Diary of John Adams, and 108 files from the Autobiography of John Adams. The correspondence and the diary span the late 18th to early 19th centuries. The correspondence includes such diverse topics as the Continental Congress, European diplomacy, family matters, and the Revolutionary War. In addition to the daily diary entries, The Diary contains financial accounts, copies of letters, drafts of essays, and notes on books and legal cases. John Adam's autobiography is a retrospective narrative of his life up to 1780.

The user can search, browse each collection, or browse all documents by date. Additionally, the site offers a lesson plan based on the correspondence between John and Abigail Adams targeted to the middle school level. Six links are provided to related websites. The website is useful for researching or teaching John and Abigail Adams, particularly those interested in their family life.

Dolley Madison Project

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This attractive and easy to navigate website focuses on the life and legacy of First Lady Dolley Payne Todd Madison, wife of James Madison. There are two main sections. "Resources" includes four short background essays on different periods of Dolley Madison's life; a timeline and chronology of her life; a short essay explaining the controversy over Dolley Madison's first name; an alphabetical listing of her correspondents with biographical sketches; and a link to the National First Ladies' Library page on Dolley Madison with a bibliography and lesson plans. "Exhibit" offers four presentations focused on Dolley Madison's life: early years, years in Washington, years at Montpelier during her husband's retirement, and widowhood. Each has a background essay, selected letters, an image gallery (41 images total), and a timeline. There is also a link to the Dolley Madison Digital Edition, a fee-based archive containing "the first-ever complete edition of all her known correspondence." Additionally, there is a section on the use of Dolley Madison's name and image in popular culture with a collection of 27 images. A useful information resource for those interested in Dolley Madison or teaching about her life.

Dolley Madison Digital Edition

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This website presents all known correspondence of the wife of James Madison, containing roughly 2,000 letters. Although many letters are thank-you notes or polite responses to social invitations, others offer rich insights into the personality and experiences of the First Lady, especially those exchanged with her sisters. The letters are organized into five periods: birth and youth; the years as wife of the secretary of state; the years as first lady; retirement; and widowhood. Users can search by name, date, topic, or place. A table of contents lists the letters by date, author, and recipient.

Additional features include a biographical sketch; "Crosslinks" listing all names (including nicknames, middle, and maiden) appearing in each letter, in order of appearance; a different color font to highlight unclear or missing characters or words; and a summary of the contents of each letter. Although the site is gated, a free trial option is accessible to all.

Well-behaved Women [and Men] Seldom Make History

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Article Body
Rationale

Picture book biographies can provide young readers with a great deal of information. Yet without a focus for reading, students often pay attention to interesting details and tidbits—what's been called the "terrific specifics"—rather than the big ideas in history. This guide focuses students' attention on two main ideas that promote historical thinking:

Understanding historical context Understanding individual efforts that promoted social change

As they read and respond to picture book biographies, students will see fundamental differences between the past and the present and witness the impact some people had on the times in which they lived. Though they were sometimes criticized for inappropriate or outrageous behavior, to quote historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's famous slogan, "Well-behaved women seldom make history." To this I would only add, or men. (While this guide is primarily concerned with the values and character traits of women who made history, it could easily be extended to include men as well.)

Description

First students read and discuss picture book biographies of women in history. With their teacher, they build a data chart of information about each woman, highlighting her historical setting, accomplishments, and character traits. Finally students apply what they learn to several writing projects focused on historical context and social change. While the focus of biography is on individuals, students will see they did not, and could not, succeed alone but were supported along the way by others.

Teacher Preparation
  1. From the list of recommended biographies, pick the books you want to use    (four to six is a good number to start with).
  2. If you only have one copy, read the biography out loud to students. If    each student has his or her own copy, students can read independently    after a short introduction.
  3. Review the blank data chart found in the Handouts for Students and each    writing assignment. Make copies as needed.
  4. You can display a large (class) copy of the chart, while students have    smaller copies.
In the Classroom: Constructing the Data Chart

[All examples are from A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull (2004) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Jane Dyer]

  1. Introduce the data chart. Explain that the class will be reading books    about women who made history and filling a chart with information about    the women. Have students consider:
      • When did the woman live? How do you know?
      • How was she expected to behave?
      • What did she do instead?
      • What does this show about her character and values?
  2. Introduce each book with information about the woman and the    challenges she faced. Show a few of the pictures to add a sense of    historical context. Introduce vocabulary words essential to    understanding the book.
  3. Read the book aloud.
  4. After reading, complete a row in the chart. When the chart is completed    and you have read all the books you selected, discuss:
      • Which experiences were similar?
      • How did expectations for women's behavior differ from the way they are    today? How were they similar?
      • What character traits and values did the women share?
      • Is it true "well-behaved women seldom make history?"
  5. Based on A Woman for President, here's an example of a row from the data chart: data chart
    In the Classroom: Writing Projects—Historical Context

    The two projects below focus students' attention on envisioning the historical setting. Student handouts are provided for each project.

    One: Photograph Album with Captions

    Ask students to create an imaginary photo album for one of the women. Using "Photo Album from the Past," have students draw interesting and important moments from the woman's life. Visual material downloaded from the internet can be included to make these photos more realistic. Under each picture, students can supply captions for the photo pointing out interesting details. Here is an example of a "photo" and caption from the album of Victoria Woodhull: victoria woodhall student album sample

    Two: Imaginary Interviews

    With a partner, have students prepare for an interview with one of the women. First, students brainstorm what questions to ask, then write their questions down and provide an answer the woman would give. Have the students practice giving the interview before presenting to the class. Completed written interviews can be illustrated and collected for display or made into a class book. Sample interview questions could include:

      • In your day, what did people expect you to do?
      • What was your biggest accomplishment? Why does it make you proud?
      • How would you describe yourself?
      • What qualities do you respect in other people?

    Ask students to add additional questions. See an example of an interview with Victoria Woodhull in the Examples Packet.

    In the Classroom: Writing Projects—Character Traits and Values

    The two projects below focus attention on the character traits and values of the women studied. Student handouts are provided for each project.

    One: Character Sociogram

    This is a way to show how a person thinks and behaves and how people respond to them. An example from the packet shows Victoria Woodhull's interactions with several contemporaries. The words on the arrows show the feelings and actions of one person toward another. Though only four people are shown (besides the woman in the center), more people may be added. Using one of the shared biographies, model how to make a sociogram with the whole class. Have student partners complete a sociogram for one of the women studied. After students complete several sociograms, discuss the common traits and values of women who made history. See an example of a sociogram based on the life of Victoria Woodhull in the Examples Packet.

    Two: Concept Circles

    This strategy teaches students to see the connections between words. Using words that explore character traits and values, this vocabulary exercise gives students the opportunity to describe the women using new, or recently learned, words. From the handout provided, place a word or phrase describing character traits and values for one of the women studied in each section of the circle. Skim the biography for these words and phrases. Have student partners discuss how each word or phrase helped them understand that person. After the discussion, have students write descriptions of the woman, describing the obstacles she faced and how she overcame them. Ask students to use vocabulary from the concept circle in their descriptions. See an example of a concept circle about Victoria Woodhull in the Examples Packet.

    Common Pitfalls
    • Even though the recommended books are picture books, it may take more    than one class period to read aloud. Don't rush through the book. Provide    enough time for background information and student comments on the    book.
    • Students often want to report on everything they have learned after    listening to a read-aloud. Praise your students for learning new    information, but then focus them on the chosen topics (historical context    and efforts to promote social change).
    • For written assignments, make sure students use information from books    rather than made-up information. Have books available so students can    refer to them.
Bibliography

Chick, Kay A. "Teaching Women's History Through Literature: Standards-based Lesson Plans for Grades K–12. Womeninworldhistory.com. 2008. http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/curriculum-21.html.

Fertig, Gary. "Using Biography to Help Young Learners Understand the Causes of Historical Change and Continuity." The Social Studies 99 (2008): 147–154.

Ulrich, Laurel Thatcher. Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History. New York: Knopf, 2007.

Zarnowski, Myra. History Makers: A Questioning Approach to Reading and Writing Biographies. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2003.

Zarnowski, Myra. Making Sense of History: Using High-Quality Literature and Hands-on Experiences to Build Content Knowledge. New York: Scholastic, 2006.

Zarnowski, Myra. "Being Teddy Roosevelt: Exploring Biographies and Overcoming Life’s Obstacles." Social Studies and the Young Learner 33 (2008): 42–46.

Opening Up the Textbook: Rosa Parks

Teaser

The textbook is examined as one source among many, rather than a final authority.

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Description

Using a textbook passage and two primary sources, this lesson engages students in using historical evidence in order to critique a textbook passage. In this way, it also allows teachers to introduce the textbook as one source among many, rather than the final word on historical events.

Article Body

This easy-to-follow lesson cuts to the heart of historical thinking. Its strength is that it requires students to go to the sources in order to develop historical knowledge. Not only does it show students how public memory and history textbooks can oversimplify complex events, it gives students the means to craft their own textbook passage by drawing on specific textual evidence, including sources that contradict one another.

The simplicity and clarity of the lesson make it ideal for introducing both historical thinking in general and the Civil Rights Movement specifically. More experienced teachers may chafe at the lesson's tight structure—so, they can create their own lesson by using the website's multiple resources regarding the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Of the two suggested writing assignments, Prompt One, which asks students to rewrite a standard textbook account, is particularly good. Prompt Two asks students to take a position for or against using a standard textbook. While this may prompt students to consider the implications of the traditional Rosa Parks story, it is also problematic. Would it be possible for a student to argue for and still receive a good grade?

Topic
Montgomery Bus Boycott and Civil Rights
Time Estimate
One hour
flexibility_scale
5
Rubric_Content_Accurate_Scholarship

Yes Current historians highlight both Parks's training as an activist and the fact that she was part of a broad, well-organized movement in Montgomery.

Rubric_Content_Historical_Background

No The point of the lesson is to look at students' and textbooks' assumptions about Rosa Parks, and so the lesson purposefully does not offer extra background. However, resources are available at the website.

Rubric_Content_Read_Write

Yes The lesson includes reading one secondary and two primary sources. Teachers can choose from two suggested writing assignments.

Rubric_Analytical_Construct_Interpretations

Yes Students create their own interpretation, and they question a textbook interpretation.

Rubric_Analytical_Close_Reading_Sourcing

Yes Through looking closely at sources, students arrive at a complex understanding of events.

Rubric_Scaffolding_Appropriate

Yes The lesson is appropriate for high school students and with modifications could be used with younger students.

Rubric_Scaffolding_Supports_Historical_Thinking

Yes If analysis stalls, teachers could prod students to look at the documents' dates and to identify the contradictions among the documents.

Rubric_Structure_Assessment

No Assessment strategies are included, but not assessment criteria.

Rubric_Structure_Realistic

Yes

Rubric_Structure_Learning_Goals

Yes The lesson states its goals, and it progresses in a logical, linear fashion.

Willa Cather Archive

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Willa Cather (1873–1947) wrote 12 novels and numerous works of short fiction. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 and is known for her intensive examination of life in the midwestern U.S. This extensive archive is dedicated to her life and work. At its core is a collection of all of her novels, short fiction, journalistic writing, interviews, speeches, and public letters published before 1922. All materials are fully searchable. Notably, both O Pioneers! and My Antonia are accompanied by extensive scholarly notes, historical context, and introductory material. Accompanying her published materials is a collection of 2,054 of Cather's letters (again annotated and fully searchable), more than 600 photographs of Cather and important people and places in her life, audio of Cather's Pulitzer Prize acceptance speech, and a short video clip of Cather. Several scholarly articles and a text analysis tool are also available.

Jewish Women's Archive

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These exhibits and resources are valuable for studying American Jewish women's contributions to their communities and the wider world. Women of Valor focuses on 16 notable historic women—including Congresswoman Bella Abzug; radical Emma Goldman; philanthropist Rebecca Gratz; poet Emma Lazarus; actress Molly Picon; Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold; and nurse, settlement worker, and political leader Lillian Wald. Women Who Dared offers oral history interviews of Jewish women activists in text, audio, and video formats. Interviewees discuss activism in the context of Jewish and gender identity, values, and situations, and elucidate the path to activism, challenges, rewards, and impact. The Encyclopedia, browsable by keyword, time period, and country, includes 2,000 articles on Jewish women's history. This Week in History looks at moments in the lives of Jewish American women corresponding to the date; visitors can subscribe to this feature by RSS feed or email. On the Map pinpoints locations important to Jewish American women's history—and to Jewish American women today. Visitors can add their own locations with photos. Jewesses with Attitude, the JWA blog, features articles on Jewish American women past and present and on other topics relevant to the lives of Jewish American women today. The site has also digitized nine volumes of The American Jewess. Most recently, the Jewish Women's Archive has compiled objects, photographs, and personal accounts of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and the aftermath, complete with 100 oral histories, blog postings, emails, and other firsthand accounts.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

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On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City causing the deaths of 148 garment workers—an event that came to be known as one of the hallmark tragedies of the industrial age. This website tells the story of the fire in six chapters: Introduction; Sweatshops and Strikes; Fire; Mourning and Protest; Relief Work; and Investigation, Trial, and Reform.

The text, targeted to a middle and high school audience, is accompanied by numerous primary sources that could be of use to more advanced researchers. These include close to 70 photographs, 18 newspaper articles, 17 testimonials, three oral histories, excerpts from investigative reports written in the years following the fire, several letters from witnesses, a lecture given by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins in 1964, and a radio drama reenacting the event. Accompanying these primary sources is a list of victims and witnesses, a selected bibliography of works surrounding the fire, and tips for writing a paper.

Votes for Women: Selections from the NAWSA, 1848-1921

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Covering the years from 1848 to 1921, this website presents materials from the suffrage movement in America, including 167 books, pamphlets, handbooks, reports, speeches, and other artifacts totaling some 10,000 pages. Formed in 1890 from two rival groups, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) orchestrated passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 through state campaigns. Materials include works by Carrie Chapman Catt, the Association's longtime president, as well as from other officers and members, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Alice Stone Blackwell, Julia Ward Howe, Elizabeth Smith Miller, and Mary A. Livermore. There are two bibliographies, an essay on Catt, a timeline, and links to 18 related collections, most of them associated with the Library of Congress American Memory.

Teach Women's History Project

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These teaching and reference materials focus on the women's rights movement of the past 50 years and its opposing forces. Teaching materials include 40 primary documents selected from The Feminist Chronicles: 1953–1993, ranging from the first National Organization for Women (NOW) statement of purpose to topical task force statements. Twenty-eight suggestions for further reading in women's history, feminist theory, and contemporary women's issues, as well as listings for 20 relevant organizations, appear in the Additional Resources section. A current "Feminist Internet Gateway" provides 15 annotated links in "History of Women/Social Studies." Additional topics ranging from arts and media to reproductive rights and their annotated links are available in the "Reviewed Links" section.