Constitution Day is right around the corner. Join National Archives educators- virtually or in person- for free standards-based resources to support your teaching of the United States Constitution!
Civics for All of US
Celebrate Constitution Day With Free Virtual Programs From the National Archives!
Join a free virtual program with National Archives educators to explore the big ideas of the Constitution though primary sources from the National Archives. Constitution Day is observed on September 17 to commemorate the day in 1787 when the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, PA.
We are excited to announce that this year we will offer two full weeks of free student webinars from Monday, September 9, through Friday, September 20, with program offerings for elementary through high school students to support your teaching of the United States Constitution. These standards-based programs are designed for grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. Register today!
Join National Archives Educators for Programs Commemorating Declaration250 and America250
Looking Ahead to 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
The United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Through new educational programming from the National Archives, elementary through high school students will have the opportunity to explore the Declaration of Independence by analyzing this important primary source and considering its continued importance to the nation.
More information about the K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 student programs will be available soon!
Second Annual Civics for All of US Teacher Institute
Educators—mark your calendars for next year’s Teacher Institute, and look for more details in December!
This summer, the National Archives hosted the second annual Civics for All of US Teacher Institute. The Institute brought together almost 100 K–12 educators from across the United States and Department of Defense schools in Europe to learn how to use National Archives holdings to teach civics and American history.
The teachers were immersed in hands-on sessions featuring strategies for teaching civics with primary sources and participated in special tours and activities at the National Archives. “I think the things I’m going to be most excited to share with my students will be the activities and resources from DocsTeach, in addition to the information available from the Presidential Libraries,” said a 4th grade teacher from Alabama. “I had no idea that those resources were out there, and they’re going to be great supplements to the curriculum that we have, and will increase our students’ interest and comprehension.”
The Institute also included visits to other Washington, DC, sites, including the U.S. Capitol to learn about educational resources available from Congress, with sessions hosted by the House of Representatives Office of Art and Archives and the staff of the Capitol Visitor Center.
Learn About National History Day Resources Available from the National Archives!
Get ready for NHD 2025!
Join National Archives Educators for a free virtual professional development program on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m., as you and your students prepare for National History Day 2025!
Learn research strategies, take a deep dive into DocsTeach NHD materials, and have the opportunity to ask questions about National Archives Education resources.
Register for this free program by sending an email to distancelearning@nara.gov.
The National History Day theme for 2025 is Rights and Responsibilities in History.
Getting ready for Constitution Day? You can explore hundreds of primary sources and dozens of activities on our Constitution page. Consider the big ideas (such as separation of powers, checks and balances, and Federalism) and the different articles and amendments. Explore today!
New to DocsTeach or looking to familiarize yourself further with the free resources it offers? Check out our series of recorded self-serve mini-webinars! Each webinar is approximately 20 minutes and covers DocsTeach basics and tips for teaching with the site. And if you want to learn even more, you can request a webinar for you and your district. Just email us at distancelearning@nara.gov.
Young Learners Program
Join us monthly as we meet historical characters, exciting authors, and modern heroes. Perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, and families.
National Archives Comes Alive! Young Learners Program: Meet Nellie Bly
Thursday, August 15, at 11 a.m.
Nellie Bly was an American journalist who made a name for herself by going undercover to expose and report on the realities of working situations. One of her most well known feats was her attempt to go “Around the World in 80 days,” inspired by Jules Verne’s popular novel.
Past guests have included Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Jr., Betsy Ross, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, and many more! A live question-and-answer portion allows viewers to interact directly with history.
Schedule a Student or Teacher Program from the National Archives!
Explore the different ways to connect
Through grade-appropriate inquiry-based offerings, National Archives educators guide students on an exploration of American history using primary source documents.
Check out our student museum field trip offerings at the National Archives in Washington, DC!
Learn more about these free student programs here, or contact us at fieldtrips@nara.gov. Don't forget to reserve your program at least 45 days in advance!
Not able to visit a National Archives location? Connect with a National Archives Education Program from anywhere!
Distance learning from the National Archives provides access to virtual field trip experiences for elementary through high school students across the world! To schedule a program, email distancelearning@nara.gov. Additional information is available on our distance learning page.
Teaching with Documents
Check out our regular feature in Social Education, the flagship journal of the National Council for the Social Studies
Teaching with Documents highlights specific primary sources from the National Archives and offers suggested teaching activities. The May/June edition's feature article is "The Movement to Boycott the 1936 Berlin Olympics."
What did the United States know about the Nazi regime's discriminatory laws against Jewish citizens and others in the lead up to the 1936 Olympic Games? Should the United States have refused to participate in protest of the host nation's actions? Analyzing the 1936 Berlin Olympics offers students an opportunity to explore the dynamics of politics and discuss the impact of silence in the face of injustice.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Free Distance Learning Programs for Teachers, Students, Public Libraries, and Civic Organizations
These virtual sessions are focused on specific Roosevelt-related topics and are presented using facsimile documents, photographs, and reproduction objects from our collection. Each session includes a short presentation by the Library and Museum's Education Specialist followed by a question-and-answer period.
All presentations are30–60 minutes (20–40 min. presentation followed by 15–20 min. interaction/activity)
Presentations are adjusted depending on the grade or age of the group:
Presentation A for grades 2–3 (Basic Overview)
Presentation B for grades 4–6 (Intermediate Overview)
Presentation C for grades 7–12 and Public Libraries and Community Groups (Advanced Overview)
For more information, contact Roosevelt Library Education Specialist Jeffrey Urbin by phone at 845-486-7761 or by email at jeffrey.urbin@nara.gov
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