Featured Activities
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In this entertaining 10-minute animated video, learn about our representative democracy and what it means to be a citizen.
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Explore a collection of 64 notable quotations from a variety of U.S. government leaders over the years.
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Examine political cartoons dealing with current national issues and consider how to frame an argument for different sides of the issues.
Topics
Find out how to use digital primary source materials of the Library of Congress and the Center on Congress.
Primary Sources Can Be...
Documents, photographs, maps, speeches, cartoons, letters, songs, journals/diaries, autobiographies, artifacts, and more.
Look Close: It’s Living History
Interested in getting the real story about historical events? You can do it with primary sources. Primary sources give you the individual viewpoint of an observer or participant.
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1 Exploring Primary Sources
Explore primary sources - what they are and how they illuminate our understanding of civics and inform our view of history.
- Exploring Primary Sources
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2 Citizen Participation
Learn about ordinary citizens, like you, who have participated in our representative democracy and helped shape the laws we live by today.
- Civic Quotes (iPad)
- Citizens Unite! A Helpful Guide to Being a Better Citizen
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3 Impact of Congress
Investigate a legacy of congressional legislation, and how it’s made a difference in many areas of our lives including: the environment, child labor, basic rights, the economy, and much more.
- The Impact of Congress
- Congressional Moments (iPad)
- Congressional Moments (13 Videos)
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4 Critical Thinking
Examine the main components of an effective, thoughtful argument in Congress, analyze examples of Congressional debates, and learn how to present a case on a particular issue.
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing Congressional Floor Debates
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5 Compromise
Discover the historic and integral part compromise and consensus-building plays in the legislative process.
- Consensus Building
- Virtual Congress: The Legislative Process
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6 Public Criticisms of Congress
Get an historical perspective on the place of political cartoons in our representative democracy, explore public criticisms of Congress, and develop your own views about Congress.
- Congress in the Public Eye: A Look at American Political Cartoons
- Understanding Persuasion Techniques
- Analyzing Political Cartoons
- Expressing Political Opinions
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7 History of Congress
Examine the key events and long-standing issues faced by Congress since its inception.
- Enduring Issues
Lesson Plans