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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: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Grade: Grade 9
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Kristen Luettchau
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Photograph/Print
Rationale By: Addison Hill
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 4
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Photographs
Rationale By: Sheeza Zadai
Source Type: Photo
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jennifer Paulsen
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Erin Deerman
Source Type: Maps Prints
Rationale By: Bianca Romero
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Layla Aldousany
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Bianca Romero
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Alexis Rainey
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Manuscripts
Rationale By: Ashleigh Tomcics
Source Type: Maps
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Bianca Romero
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Addison Hill
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 4
Rationale By: Jennifer Paulsen
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Michelle Fanara
Source Type: Photography
Rationale By: Holly Spinelli
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Sheena Zadai
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Alexis Rainey
Source Type: Oral Histories
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Photographs and PrintsManuscripts
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Photographs and PrintsPolitical Cartoons
Rationale By: Rachel DeTemple
Source Type: Print
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Layla Aldousany
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Holly Spinelli
Source Type: Film/Video
Rationale By: Kelly E. Tumy
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 5
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Books and Other Printed TextsManuscripts
Grade: Grade 9
Rationale By: Michelle Fanara
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Maggie Raymond
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Bianca Romero
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Laura Krueger
Source Type: Photographs and PrintsPolitical Cartoons
Rationale By: Kelly E. Tumy
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 11
Rationale By: Michelle Fanara
Source Type: Photographs
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Prints
Rationale By: Alexis Rainey
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts