Primary Sources for the Primary Grades: Kindergarteners and a Presidential Inauguration

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This post is by Teresa St. Angelo, the 2016-2017 Library of Congress Teacher in Residence.

Kindergarten students analyze a photograph of a presidential inauguration

“The students were listening, participating, involved, and having fun,” exclaimed two kindergarten teachers. “And they were interested. I wasn’t sure how you would do that with this topic, but everyone loved it!” added a third.  Teachers also told me that they saw strategies that they could extend to other subjects, including math and reading. What prompted these excited comments? A lesson on presidential inaugurations!

I began the lesson by gathering the students on the classroom carpet and describing my role as Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress. I explained that we would study a photograph to learn about a very special event for the United States. I projected the image and told the students that at the end of the lesson they would be able to identify the special event happening in this photograph.

Lincoln's Second Inaugural

Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural

Students took a laminated copy of the photograph to their tables to make observations. They circled items that they noticed first, or details that would help them identify the important event. While students were circling details, I approached them individually and asked questions such as, “What do you see in the image?” and “What did you notice first?” Then, students again gathered on the carpet and each named one detail they circled.

Students seek clues about inaugural activities

I projected more primary source images to deepen learning. As they viewed an image of the U.S. Capitol building, we discussed its importance. I asked students to compare details from the building in their original image to image of the Capitol building. Students made the connection and realized the Capitol was the building in their original image, and I explained what a presidential inauguration is, and where it takes place.

Before showing the next image I asked the students, “Do you think people like to go to inaugurations?”  When I showed this image of the inauguration of Harry Truman, the students responded, “Wow!”

The students viewed primary source images of five different activities for an inauguration which included: the procession, the oath of office, the inaugural address, the parade, and the inaugural ball. After they studied the inaugural ball image, I instructed the students to find the man they think is the U.S. president at the ball. I asked if anyone knew this president’s name, and a few students called out, “Abraham Lincoln!”

I directed students to look again at the first image and try to find Abraham Lincoln. Imagine the excitement when they found him!  Then I asked, “What special event is happening in your image?”

The thrill of realizing it was a presidential inauguration, as they called out their answers, and the sense of accomplishment in the room is something I will never forget! That is the power of primary sources!

Let us know what you are doing with your students for the inauguration.

A Chat with the Librarian of Congress: Reading, Teaching, and Questions from Kindergartners

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Earlier this month, I spoke with Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, about a wide variety of topics. As I kicked off our conversation, I was thinking about the first activity I do with my new kindergartners each fall. We engage in a show and tell of items in the students’ backpacks. This one activity gives me an awareness and understanding of the boys and girls unlike any other.