This album was created by a member of the TPS Teachers Network, a professional social media network for educators, funded by a grant from the Library of Congress. For more information, visit tpsteachersnetwork.org.

Library Archives to Lesson Plans: A Cultural Exploration in STEM Education

Album Description

This album features a newspaper article from the historic African-American newspaper called "The Monitor." Based on this exciting resource, there are three styles of lesson plans specifically designed to address the scientific concepts of energy transfer: a Socratic seminar, a standard 5E lesson plan, and an engineering design challenge. Additionally, all lesson plans include a teacher guide, as well as any supplemental materials needed.

The essential questions addressed (regardless of the lesson style) include:

  • How do the scientific principles of energy transfer, type of matter, mass, and changes in kinetic energy and temperature manifest in the design of the mail delivery device for rapidly moving trains?
  • How do available resources limit or encourage scientific developments?
  • Who engages in scientific pursuits?

#STEMEducation #EngineeringDesignProcess #CulturallyRelevantPedagogy #energytransfer #SciencethroughPrimarySources #middleschoolscience

Image 1 of The monitor (Omaha, Neb.), December 18, 1915

Teaching Notes

The front page of The Monitor from December 18, 1915. The title of the relevant article is: Another Colored American Inventor" and can be located on the left hand side of the front page. 

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/00225879/1915-12-18/ed-1/?sp=1&r=-0.028,0.365,0.691,0.451,0

Reference note

Created / Published

  • Omaha, Neb., December 18, 1915

Genre

  • Newspapers

Notes

  • -  Weekly
  • -  Vol. 1, no. 1 (July 3, 1915)-v. 14, no. 22 (Nov. 30, 1928).
  • -  Whole numbering added with issue for July 1, 1916, beginning with: whole no. 53.
  • -  Also issued on microfilm from Nebraska State Historical Society.
  • -  Archived issues are available in digital format from the Library of Congress Chronicling America online collection.
  • -  Omaha monitor (DLC) 2019270506 (OCoLC)1088506199

Image 3 of The monitor (Omaha, Neb.), December 18, 1915

Teaching Notes

This is the second page of the article.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/00225879/1915-12-18/ed-1/?sp=3&st=image&r=0.047,0.457,0.636,0.405,0

Reference note

Created / Published

  • Omaha, Neb., December 18, 1915

Genre

  • Newspapers

Notes

  • -  Weekly
  • -  Vol. 1, no. 1 (July 3, 1915)-v. 14, no. 22 (Nov. 30, 1928).
  • -  Whole numbering added with issue for July 1, 1916, beginning with: whole no. 53.
  • -  Also issued on microfilm from Nebraska State Historical Society.
  • -  Archived issues are available in digital format from the Library of Congress Chronicling America online collection.
  • -  Omaha monitor (DLC) 2019270506 (OCoLC)1088506199

Unpacking NGSS Standard MS-PS3-4_ Energy Transfer and Kinetic Energy in Matter.pdf

Teaching Notes

This Unpacking the Standard Guide aims to help students understand what they hope to gain from this unit. This can be paired with any lesson aligned with NGSS MS-
PS3-4.

Download File

Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan Overview_ Mail Delivery on the Move - Scientific Principles in Action.pdf

Teaching Notes

This is a Socratic Seminar style lesson plan aligned with NGSS standards which utilizes The Monitor newspaper article. This is a 4 day lesson plan in standard 5E Science format and includes an optional extension activity to deepen understanding.

Download File

Socratic Seminar Guidelines (1).pdf

Teaching Notes

This document provides guidelines for participation in Socratic Seminar.

Download File

Standard 5E Format _ Mail Delivery on the Move_ A Challenge in Energy and Physics.pdf

Teaching Notes

This document is in a standard 5E format.

Download File

Engineering Design Challenge Mail Delivery on the Move_ A Challenge in Energy and Physics.pdf

Teaching Notes

This document contains an Engineering Design Challenge lesson.

Download File

Learning Modalities _ Suggested Accommodations and_or Modifications.pdf

Teaching Notes

This document contains suggested modifications and/or accommodations for various learning modalities.

Download File

The Railway mail service - methods of distributing and delivering the mail / from sketches by a staff artist.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3c10536/

Reference note

Summary

  • Composite of four scenes: 1. Before the start: delivering the mail and daily papers at the Pennsylvania Railway depot, at Jersey City. 2. Interior of car: distributing mail. 3. The catch. 4. "Ready to throw off."

Created / Published

  • 1888.

Genre

  • Periodical illustrations--1880-1890
  • Wood engravings--1880-1890

Notes

  • -  Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, 1888 Oct. 6, p. 124.

Digital Id

  • cph 3c10536 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c10536

Train taking up mail bag, U.S.P.O.

Teaching Notes

This is a video clip from 1902 demonstrating how mail was delivered and picked up via train prior to John C. Jones's invention. 

Link: https:https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/media/ammem/AmericaAtWorkAmericaAtLeisure/0571.mp4

Science and Primary Sources with the Library.pdf

Teaching Notes

This is a step-by-step guide to aid in finding and utilizing primary sources effectively in the Science classroom.

Download File