American Memory: Philly- Style

I've been using primary sources for a long time now. In my early years of teaching, my best source for primary resources were our field trips to colonial Philadelphia, best represented by the Betsy Ross House and Independence Hall. History really came alive for our students as they examined original documents, diaries and artifacts dating back to the birth of our nation.

Now, thanks to the Library of Congress, we have American Memory. American Memory provides free and open access through the internet to prints, maps, sheet music, written and spoken words, audio files and films.

As a school library media specialist, I have been aware of American Memory and have used it occasionally for several years. I've been given the opportunity to explore the site in much greater detail while taking the UWStout course, "Teaching Information Literacy with Primary Sources."

As I reflect, here, on what I've learned to date, one thought occurs to me: every document, every artifact, was created by someone that might have had a bias. Using a source like American Memory shouldn't be just about showing and telling, it should also be about evaluating the resources in context and with a historical perspective ... Critical thinking!

Here's what I've learned about American Memory so far:
1. I can use these resources with ALL of my students- Kindergarten through Grade 5.
2. American Memory is not an encyclopedia- it is a work in progress and new collections are constantly being added.
3. Exploring American Memory may result in some unexpected rewards, so it is important to approach research with an open mind.
4. Exploring primary source material adds another dimension to the study of history- a personal journal may, for instance, provide the "back story" to a historical event.
5. Primary sources can be explored in conjunction with a contemporary event, such as the presidential election of 2008
6. Original artifacts, photos, journals, etc. help tell the story and provide the potential for a more accurate interpretation of historical events.

This is what I've learned so far. Remember, just like American Memory, this blog is a work in progress.