Barat

Overview

Students are naturally looking for connections between themselves and what they are learning. This project* connects students to historical events that happened on their birthdays, helping them to recognize that each person is part of and contributes to the ongoing American memory.

To complete the project students will . . .

identify one or more historical events that took place on the same date as their birthdays.
describe the Library of Congress website and the primary sources found there.
create a newspaper page to illustrate that events in the American memory are unfolding everyday.
appreciate that they are part of our nation's collective history known as the American memory.

Project Prize Kit

Any Illinois teacher wishing to implement this project in the classroom is eligible to receive the BEF American Memory Project Kit. The kit provides small prizes to be distributed to students when they complete their project. The prizes vary, but include things like pencils, erasers, key chains, etc., all with a patriotic theme.

To request a free project kit, send us an email with the following information:

name, address, and phone number;
school, subject area(s), grade(s), and approximate number of students participating in the project.

Student Materials

American Memory & Me Worksheet (.pdf)

Everyday History Newspaper Template (.ppt)

Student Project Gallery

See samples of student work here.