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Primary Source Rationale Database

NCTE is engaged in work with theLibrary of Congressas part of the Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium to expand the use of primary sources in the teaching and learning habits of literacy teachers and students. Learn more and access additional resources here . 

This searchable database includes rationales for more than 150 specific items in the Library of Congress’s digitized primary source collection. The rationales articulate specific literacy merit for curriculum or classroom use, along with suggested themes, units, and state standards. Content is searchable through tags such as picturebook and argument.

Rationale By: Ashleigh Tomcics
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Manuscript
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Grade: Grade 9
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jessica Jones
Source Type: Manuscripts Photographs and prints
Rationale By: Zachary Arthur
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Rachel DeTemple
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Holly Spinelli
Source Type: Video/FilmDocumentary
Rationale By: Michelle Fanara
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Dr. Amber Dumbuya
Source Type: Maps
Rationale By: Dr. Amber Dumbuya
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts Manuscripts
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Sound Recordings
Rationale By: Bianca Romero
Source Type: Political Cartoons
Rationale By: Jenny McBride
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Kelly E. Tumy
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Michelle Fanara
Source Type: Photographs and Personal Narratives
Rationale By: Sheena Zadai
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Morgan King
Source Type: Photographs and Prints Political Cartoons
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Holly Spinelli
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Rationale By: Kelly E. Tumy
Source Type: ManuscriptsPhotographs and prints
Grade: Grade 3
Rationale By: Morgan King
Source Type: NewspapersPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Holly Spinelli
Source Type: Directories; Guidebooks
Rationale By: Ashleigh Tomcics
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Kelly E. Tumy
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 6
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Grade: Grade 9
Rationale By: Jessica Jones
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Zachary Arthur
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Erin Deerman
Source Type: Oral HistoriesSound Recordings
Rationale By: Jenny McBride
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Morgan King
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Holly Spinelli
Source Type: Video Recording
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Photograph/Print
Rationale By: Sheena Zadai
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Layla Aldousany
Source Type: Photograph and Prints
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Oral HistoriesPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Layla Aldousany
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Kristen Luettchau
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Zachary Arthur
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Dr. Amber Dumbuya
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Grade: Grade 9
Rationale By: Kelly E. Tumy
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Photographs