Teaching with Documents: Using Primary Sources from the National Archives

This most excellent collection of fifty-two key documents in U.S.History from 1785 to 1974 illuminates the themes of social and political interactions that have moved this country. The Civil Rights Mini Unit is especially powerful and includes student data retreival charts, timelines, discussion and debate questions as well as such items as the actual amendments, astonishing photographs of "Separate But Equal" schools, etc. The actual coded version of the Zimmerman Telegram is as fascinating as Truman's revisions on the memo to recognize Israel. Great teaching suggestions on analyzing Federalism and students will love Eisenhower's response to Elvis as a Roc'n Roll Hero. This is a winner for active learning.