Library of Congress will be an excellent resource for this project.

loc.gov -> teachers -> "using primary sources" -> "finding primary sources"

There are a few sets here that might have some of what you want:

"primary source sets"

"themed resources"

There is also a LOC page called "From Slavery to Civil Rights" that lists primary sources under a section called Antebellum.

And a set called Slavery in the US - Primary Sources and the Historical Record

I would highly recommend using the LOC's "Primary Source Analysis Tool". It looks overly simplistic: Observe, Reflect, Question. But if you take your time with it and work each section carefully, the kids are able to really reach their own insights.

Observe- simply have them write down what they see or notice about this resource. This is like "close reading". Observe the small details. They may be relevant later so you need to notice the. Also, from a differentiation standpoint, every kid can participate in this step.

"I see a bucket on the floor in this picture. I wonder why it's there?"
"Everyone is wearing the same clothes"
"This paper looks really old and falling apart. How old is this document?"

Reflect - comment on the details you found. Connect what you see in the picture into what you already know.
Question - after observing and reflecting on this document, what questions do you have that will help you understand it better?

On a related note, the summer institute they offer educators is amazing. I highly recommend it. Applications are open now. It is very selective. It took me a couple of years to get in. More info here: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/

On Thu, Feb 8, 2018 at 10:52 AM, Marybeth Murdoch <mmurdoch@coventryct.org> wrote:

Hello to the collective wisdom of CASL,

A teacher/student teacher asked me to help research primary documents relevant to Antebellem America. “Students will seek and cite quotes from slave narratives, pro-slavery, and abolitionist perspectives.”

I am directing her to the History Reference database on researchitct.org

We also have some print resources.

I have started to find relevant websites, but I don’t want to miss anything.

If anyone has done similar research projects with middle school and is willing to share some online tools, I would be happy to share what I have as well!

Thank you,

Marybeth

Marybeth Murdoch

Library Media Specialist

Captain Nathan Hale Middle School

Coventry, CT 06238

(860)742-7346 x4264

What I’m reading now: The Storm by Virginia Bergin

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