Special Programs
Teaching with Primary Sources
(Formerly known as An Adventure of the American Mind Project)
- About the Project
- Contact Us
- Instructional Ideas
- Library of Congress
- More Resources
- Professional Development
About the Project
The Loyola University Chicago Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program helps K-12th grade Chicago area educators use the Library of Congress' rich reservoir of digitized primary source materials to design challenging, high quality instruction.
The program is funded through the Library of Congress and awarded in Illinois through the efforts and support of U.S. Senator Richard J. "Dick" Durbin (D-IL).
As a member of the national, Library of Congress' Teaching with Primary Sources educational consortium, Loyola helps build on the Library's previous outreach initiatives, particularly American Memory Fellows and An Adventure of the American Mind (AAM) programs.
Professional Development
Through a series of professional development workshops, the Loyola TPS team will work with your school to share the innovative and inspirational possibilities of incorporating primary sources into classroom instruction.
- A federal grant makes these workshops available at no cost.
- Workshop sessions can be scheduled at times to best suit you needs. From after-school training to full-day, comprehensive in-services - the choice is yours.
- Continuing Professional Development Units - CPDUs and/or CEUs are provided.
Workshop Content
Foundation - Level 1 sessions will help participants to:
- Examine primary sources and understand their value in teaching.
- Locate, navigate, and save instructional materials from the Library of Congress Web site.
- Create instructionally sound, standards based learning experiences that integrate primary sources from the Library of Congress.
Advanced - Level 2 sessions will help participants to:
- Evaluate primary-source based instruction and obtain a thorough understanding of instructional best practices using primary sources.
- Devise exemplary subject-specific, standards-based learning experiences that integrate primary sources from the Library of Congress.
- Reflect and share their experiences using primary sources in instruction and the effects on student learning.
Expanding on Workshop Knowledge and Sharing Insights
Level 3 offers educators the opportunity to join an elite crew of primary source specialists known as Library of Congress Ambassadors.
Library of Congress Ambassadors advocate the use of primary sources and widely disseminate the ideas, methods, and products of the TPS program.
A participant will have met the Level 3 with the following:
- demonstration of interaction and collaboration with fellow LOC Ambassadors;
- demonstration of the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve at least one of the following objectives:
- Mentor one or more colleagues on the best instructional uses of primary sources.
- Evaluate learning experiences for widespread dissemination and use.
- Contribute to local, state and national use of best practices for using primary sources in instruction by publishing in print or in on-line journals, speaking at gatherings of educators and/or leading professional development activities.
- Conduct own research on the use of primary sources and their effectiveness
For further information or to arrange workshops for your school, please contact Michelle Fry, Loyola TPS Program Director at 312-915-6897 or mfry@luc.edu
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest repository of knowledge and information in the world today. Educators and students have access to primary sources including manuscripts, maps, films, audio recordings, prints, photographs and music. The American Memory is an entryway to a digital record of American history and creativity. Check it out!!!
- 1902 Garfield School Strike Photograph (pdf)
- 1904 Derby Day, Washington Park Race Track, Chicago Photograph (pdf)
- AAM Lessons and Links United States and World History Educators
- AAM Participants' Products
- Adventure of the American Mind (AAM) Materials
- Program Sponsor
Contact Us
We're as close as your e-mail, snail mail, or telephone to brainstorm ideas for your classroom or school when it comes to utilizing primary sources with your students.
Michelle Fry
Director
Phone: 312.915.6897
Kris Maldre
Assistant Director
312-915-6580
Mousumi Mukherjee
Administrative Assistant
312-915-6438
