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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: Zachary Arthur
Source Type: Speech
Rationale By: Rachel DeTemple
Source Type: MapsPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jessica Jones
Source Type: Books and Other Printed TextsPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Book/Printed Material
Rationale By: Jenny McBride
Source Type: Books and Other Printed TextsNewspapers
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Grade: Grade 9
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: Morgan King
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Layla Aldousany
Source Type: Manuscripts
Rationale By: Erin Deerman
Source Type: Maps
Rationale By: Jennifer Paulsen
Source Type: Sheet Music and Song Sheets
Rationale By: Erin Deerman
Source Type: Books and Other Printed Texts
Rationale By: Jenny McBride
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Jennifer Paulsen
Source Type: Political Cartoons
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Sheet Music and Song SheetsSound Recordings
Rationale By: Ashleigh Tomcics
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Prints
Rationale By: Zachary Arthur
Source Type: Political Cartoons
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Dr. Amber Dumbuya
Source Type: Manuscripts
Rationale By: Ashleigh Tomcics
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Sharon Murchie
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Addison Hill
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 4
Rationale By: Jessica Jones
Source Type: Books and Other Printed TextsPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Dr. Amber Dumbuya
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Addison Hill
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Grade: Grade 4
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: MapsPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Video
Rationale By: Zachary Arthur
Source Type: Books and Other Printed TextsPhotographs and Prints
Rationale By: Layla Aldousany
Source Type: Photographs and Prints
Rationale By: Ruth-Terry Walden
Source Type: Manuscripts
Rationale By: Mandy Knoll
Source Type: Maps
Grade: Grade 9
Rationale By: Molly Love
Source Type: Newspaper photographPhotograph
Rationale By: Jacqueline Maxwell
Source Type: Newspapers
Rationale By: Leah Royster
Source Type: Photographs and Prints