Document Analysis Workshops
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Education team conducts workshops on a wide range of topics for K-12 educators, as well as college instructors. These sessions provide educators with an overview of tools and resources from the Carter Library and National Archives, along with a variety of topics and approaches to engage their students in American civics and primary source analysis.
Professional Development sessions can be delivered remotely, onsite at the Carter Library, or at Atlanta metro area institutions.
To schedule a workshop or to obtain further details, contact Carter Library Education staff at carter.education@nara.gov.
Introduction to Research & Education at the Carter Library
Target Audience: Teachers Grades K-12, College Instructors & Students
This workshop is designed as an introduction for teachers who are unfamiliar with the programs and resources of the Carter Presidential Library and National Archives. Participants are provided an overview of the Library’s onsite and distance learning programming options for their students, with an emphasis on online research tools and resources available.
Teaching Civic Literacy & Engagement with Primary Sources
Target Audience: Teachers Grades 2-12
This workshop will provide participants with a framework for teaching history and civic engagement with the holdings of the Carter Library and National Archives, with an emphasis on addressing the following five essential questions:
1) What does an individual gain from being civically aware and engaged?
2) What tools are available for individuals, and groups, to share in and shape our democracy?
3) How have these tools been used by others in the past?
4) How can an ordinary individual use the tools in their lives and communities?
5) How is America made stronger, better and more democratic by citizen participation?
National History Day: Using Presidential Library & National Archives Resources
Target Audience: Teachers Grades 6-12
To support teachers promoting National History Day with their students, this workshop provides immersion in the digital resources available from the Carter Library and National Archives. This 30-minute session will include discussion of remote staff support available to students, topics related to the latest contest theme, and access to online document sets and tools to streamline research for students unable to conduct research onsite.
Crossroads of Curriculum: The Camp David Accords
Target Audience: Teachers Grades 9-12, College Instructors
This workshop contextualizes the diplomatic, economic, cultural and military interactions between empires, nations and peoples in the 20th century that shaped America’s increasingly important role in the world and set the stage for The Camp David Peace Accords. In particular, this topic will be examined through the lens of The Cold War and American Civics. This workshop will include a session in effectively utilizing online primary sources made available on the Carter Library and National Archives websites for classroom or distance learning instruction.
Presidential Powers & Precedents: Jimmy Carter, Alaska & the Antiquities Act
Target Audience: Middle & High School Social Studies, AP U.S. History/Government Teachers, College Instructors
Controversial since its inception, the Antiquities Act of 1906 gives the President the power to circumvent Congress when they feel decisive action is needed to protect historical, cultural and scientific resources. Between 1978 and 1980, President Carter used it as leverage to bring Congress to the table and pass the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), protecting over 150 million acres of public land and expediting implementation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. In response, Alaskans would burn him in effigy next to the Ayatollah. Was he justified or did he exceed his Constitutional authority? Were there checks or balances to his actions by the other branches of government or state governments? Has the Antiquities Act strengthened or weakened our democracy? These and other questions will be discussed during this workshop that will examine primary sources from the holdings of the Carter Library and National Archives Catalog.
Civic Literacy: Jimmy Carter & The Energy Crisis
Target Audience: Middle & High School Social Studies, AP U.S. History/Government Teachers, College Instructors
Less than two weeks after assuming the Presidency in 1977, Jimmy Carter addressed the nation in a televised “fireside chat” to speak to Americans about the looming Energy Crisis. What events had brought our nation to these dire circumstances with such a far-reaching impact on the daily lives of Americans? What tools and resources does the Constitution provide the Executive branch to take on such a crisis? What roles do other branches of government play? This workshop will examine the 39th President’s response to this crisis through a constitutional lens and provide teachers with new perspectives on incorporating the primary sources of the Carter Library and National Archives into their curriculum.
Civic Literacy: Gender Equality & The Carter Administration
Target Audience: Middle & High School Social Studies, AP U.S. History/Government Teachers, College Instructors
This presentation will introduce equip teachers to introduce the state of Women's Rights issues in the 1970s, the Equal Rights Amendment of 1972, and the Constitutional means the Carter administration embraced to address gender inequality. Attendees will be provided exposure to relevant primary sources of the National Archives and Carter Library and will have opportunities to discuss facilitated dialogue opportunities for students, including the amendment process and diversity in the federal government.
Student-Centered Experiences
Target Audience: K-12 Teachers
To achieve mutual learning, build new skills and create collaborative relationships, more and more educators are adopting a student-centered approach. This approach embraces the belief that students’ perspectives and contributions add richness to the learning experience. It is the practice of eliciting participation and contribution from students through facilitated dialogue.
This workshop will provide educators the skill set to create their own student-centered experiences that are:
- Investigative: Exploring multiple perspectives and truths ascribed to
primary sources; synthesizing scientific and historical evidence, national
significance, and current context - Participatory: Inviting students to interact with primary sources and each
other, enriching experiences through an active exchange of ideas - Collaborative: Directly meeting student needs through strong,
mutually-beneficial relationships - Skills-Focused: Building civic skills for a 21st century society, meeting curricular needs, inspiring lifelong learning and active engagement