Web Resources

The links here are to help you gain further information about web sitesthat have been useful in creating materials for workshops and summer institutes. Resources accessed here are web based and may be changeable. This website will be actively managed by LINCs staff until the end of the grant in 2010. Please contact us if you have any comments or questions regarding these documents.However we cannot be responsible for any changes after that time. Thank you.

Web Links for Participants

These web links are placed here for participants in our workshops and Summer Institutes

Website Recommendations from Our Staff

Liz recommends:

History Matters: The History Survey Course on the Web -(note — this may "seem" to be HS specific...but the TUTORIALS are great!!!!) A superb and highly-respected resource for teachers and students in U.S. History survey courses; it offers not only primary sources but source analysis tutorials and a rich set of links. “WWW. History” offers a searchable list (with annotations) of over 700 high quality websites, “Many Pasts” contains over 1,000 primary sources and “Making Sense of Evidence” offers explorations into how historians analyze, and interpret various types of sources. (Each "tutorial" guides students through the process of analyzing the source type at hand.) Also in this section are audio interviews with leading scholars who share their own process of source analysis and interpretation

Map Collections: 1500-2003 - Library of Congress-One of the many online collections of the Library of Congress's American Memory project (see also Bethany’s picks), this interactive site is divided into 7 thematic categories including: Discovery and Exploration; Cities and Towns and Military Battles and Campaigns. It offers a zooming option for looking at the maps up close and, in addition to exploring the maps thematically, the collection can be searched by geographic location or keyword.

Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture -This is a premier research library with amazing online materials for understanding African American history and culture. Within this site, look at -- Digital Schomberg and Online Exhibitions

Picturing America -NEH-- Picturing America, an exciting new initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities, brings masterpieces of American art into classrooms. Schools can apply for sets of reproduction images, or items can be downloaded. Note also the resources that pop up when you select an image.

Brad recommends:

Massachusetts Historical Society site -The Massachusetts Historical Society is an independent research library that promotes the study of the history of Massachusetts and the nation It has some great information about the Adamses (Abigail, John, & John Quincy), slavery in Massachusetts and the visual culture of abolition. Also check out their featured “object of the month.”

Deerfield, MA Memorial Hall Museum site -"This website is unique in many design features that facilitate successful use by educators and students. It includes a large library of primary resources, curricula, and interactive student activities; most of them presented in age-appropriate, user-friendly formats...American Centuries features a digital collection of approximately 2000 objects and transcribed document pages from Memorial Hall Museum and Library"

Bethany recommends:

Library of Congress American Memory website -The Library of Congress's American Memory website allows users to search through multiple databases for texts, images, recordings, and videos that document the American experience. This website will provide a wealth of information on many subjects. The American Memory website also has an extensive "Teacher Resource" section (see also Becky’s picks).

The Authentic History Center: Primary Sources from American Popular Culture -One of the many online collections of the Library of Congress. Because the purpose of the website is to document popular culture, it includes resources that may not be available elsewhere. Teachers will have to use discretion about which resources are appropriate for their classroom but there are many songs, film clips, cartoons, posters, and radio addresses included on this site.

The Founders Constitution -This site includes transcriptions of many of the foundational documents about the American Constitution and system of law. Documents are arranged by broad Constitutional themes and then by the specific Constitutional articles, clauses, and amendments to which they refer. Many different types of documents - philosophical writings, private correspondence, public debates, and legal decisions - make up the bulk of this terrific collection.

Using ESSEX History -Our sister site, UEH is a three-year project to improve the quality of American History instruction in Essex County's middle schools and high schools through teacher seminars and summer institutes on the people, places and events of Essex County, Massachusetts. This site contains links to lessons, primary resources, and podcasts of lectures by prominent scholars. While geared towards middle and high school, many resources are applicable to all Essex County students.

Becky recommends:

Library of Congress; The Learning Page -As a gateway to over 100 American Memory collections, this page provides lessons, features, activities, and tips for using historical documents, photos, maps, films and audio recordings. Check out the handouts (there’s one on teaching math with historical docs) in the Professional Development

Common Place: The Interactive Journal of Early American Life-This site includes features by New England's most-noted scholars on Early America; reviews, column about new exhibitions & archives, a forum for school teachers and professors to discuss approaches to how to teach historical materials, an 'Ask the Author' interview, and a discussions board. Make sure you look at the “previous issues” section and the “common schools”

America's Historical Documents-The National Archives preserves and provides access to the records of the Federal Government. Here is a sample of these records, from our most celebrated milestones to little-known surprises. See also Charters of Freedom, Our Documents, Teaching with Documents, Travelling Exhibits, etc. This site also provides great analysis worksheets for many types of sources.

Digital History -This site includes an online textbook and exhibitions, primary source documents, multimedia (including music) and a super map section. Don't miss the classroom handouts and learning modules! While geared towards higher level students there are some great resources here.

University of Virginia’s Salem Witch Trials Site (don’t be fooled ---it’s more than just witches!) -This site has wonderful historical maps of Essex co, etc. It is heavily skewed towards Salem, but has great local resources

Look for new entries here as we find them -- also the Salem In History website is s super resource - but has been problematic as far as access - try Googling it, or going through Salem Public Schools!