Reagan Education Workshops

Hello Educators!

It has been an exciting and productive first day at our workshop. I got a chance to speak with a few of you all about the intentions of the blog. We are looking to create an ongoing conversation with you all and to offer supplemental tools for educators before, during, and after they attend one of our workshops. For more “About the Blog” click on the link on the left.

A few of you also expressed interest in sharing the information you have found or comments about the workshop. Please feel free to comment on any of the posts we have already made or in the comment box below.

Debra also expressed interest in learning more about the History of the National Archives and the Freedom of Information Act. More information about the History of the National Archives can be found here: http://www.archives.gov/publications/general-info-leaflets/1.html

And more information about the Freedom of Information Act can be found here: http://www.archives.gov/foia/

Also, feel free to browse the “Helpful Links for Educators and Students” link on the left that includes links to our own archives, the state archives and the national archives.

Finally, we have uploaded some pictures from the 1^st day of the workshop and we will continue to upload pictures throughout the duration of the workshop. The pictures can be viewed via “Pictures” link on the left.

We look forward to creating exciting and useful standards-based curriculums.

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

- Melanie

In case you were curious, the schedule for the Document of the Month Workshop is as follows:

July 26-28, 2010

Monday          8:30 – 9:30      Opening, CLU Registration

                        9:30 – 11:30    Orientation, Introduction, Archives Tour

                        11:30 – 12:30  Lunch

                        12:30 – 4:30    Begin Topic Identification/Research

Tuesday          8:30 – 9:30      Process Review and Discussion

                        9:30 – 12:00    Research Continues (topic with supporting documents should be chosen)

                        12:00 – 1:00    Lunch

                        1:00 – 4:30      Document of the Month Draft Complete

Wednesday    8:30 – 10:30    Peer Review of Project

                        10:30 – 12:00  Revisions

                        12:00 – 1:00    Lunch

                        1:00 – 4:30      Completion of Final Project

See you there!

Melanie

Hello Researchers!

The first day of the Document of the Month Workshop is soon approaching! To familiarize you with working with primary source documents, here is a friendly message from Archivist Jenny Mandel:

When using original documents common sense rules apply. Because these documents are one of a kind, we ask researchers to take special care when handling them. The first time a researcher comes to us, we provide a brief orientation where we explain the rules and procedures for handling these primary source materials. Among the most important rule to remember when handling documents:

Use only one box of material at a time.

Pull only one folder of material out of a box, and mark it’s place with an “out card.”

Take care to leave the documents in the order they are found.

Only use pencils to take notes.

Always feel free to ask questions!

For information on rules and procedures in using the Research Room at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, see the “Research Room Rules and Procedures” page.

Cheers!

Ji

Greetings! Like my fellow interns, I’ve been working on pulling documents for the Document of the Month Workshop! I have found a plethora of primary sources on a variety of fascinating subtopics within the topic of Lebanon, as well as a wide range of document types (correspondences, cables, speeches, etc).

I’d like to share with you all some documents on the April Beirut Bombing of 1983. To give a little background information on the incident, on April 18, 1983, the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon was attacked by a suicide bomber in a truck full of explosives. 63 people, including 17 American diplomats, were killed and hundreds of people were wounded.

One of the many ways President Reagan responded to the attack was by speaking at a ceremony that honored victims. The ceremony was held at Andrew’s Air Force Base, Maryland, on April 23, 1983. In his tribute to the victims, President Reagan recognized the American service who were killed as “peacemakers” and denounced the attack as an “act of unparalleled cowardice.” Here is an image of the full-text of President Reagan’s remarks:

I was especially fascinated with two documents accompanying the text of President Reagan’s remarks. The “Schedule of the President” lists events that took place the day of the ceremony, starting from President Reagan’s departure from The White House on the Marine One. This document reveals President Reagan’s public response to a tragic event and gives readers a glimpse of a day in the life of the President, revealing the multitude of responsibilities a President holds. Below is the first page of the schedule:

A diagram maps out the Air Force Base and the ceremony, seating arrangements, placement of caskets, and more. It gives an “insider’s look” at the happening’s of the ceremony. See below:

Interesting!

Until next time, cheers! — Ji

Images Retrieved from Reagan Archives

Text, Office of the Press Secretary, April 23, 1983, folder “Arrival Ceremony, Andrews Air Force Base – Beirut Embassy 04/23/1983,” box OA 8496, Advance files, Ronald Reagan Library

Schedule, April 23, 1983, folder “Arrival Ceremony, Andrews Air Force Base – Beirut Embassy 04/23/1983,” box OA 8496, Advance files, Ronald Reagan Library

Diagram, April 23, 1983, folder “Arrival Ceremony, Andrews Air Force Base – Beirut Embassy 04/23/1983,” box OA 8496, Advance files, Ronald Reagan Library

My work as an intern at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library commenced on June 1, 2010. Currently I work for the Director of Education, Mira Cohen, for the “Document of the Month” program. I am responsible for locating and examining primary source documents that relate to the Reagan Presidency for both the Library’s annual education program in July, and the Document of the Month curriculum materials. My first job consisted of looking at White House files that relate to President Reagan’s plan for economic recovery in 1981, and tax reform in 1986. The bulk of this material consists of speeches, memos, talking points, and telephone logs, which provides the researcher with a unique experience of working with historical records in a hands on fashion.

After making working copies of significant primary source documents, I look not only for key themes, but also the overall historical significance of these papers in relation to President Reagan’s economic policy. This process of research and analysis requires patience and vigilance, as I look for how President Reagan shaped economic policy and conveyed his vision to millions of Americans. Despite the demanding nature of archival research, I learned a great deal about how economic policy was formulated, and sold to the Democratic opposition in Congress and the American people. After studying the material, I write a short abstract that summarizes the main themes, and significance of the documents. The main objective of this process is to have the documents included in the Reagan Education Department’s “Document of the Month,” compendium in which they can provide educators with some valuable insights into the Reagan Presidency, and enhance the learning experience for their students. I am a part of a team of four interns, who not only bring unique and diverse talents to this program, but who also work well together for a common goal.

- Mike Matini

The helpful links are now listed on the left side of the page under “Helpful Links for Educators and Students,”  or you can access them by clicking here.  Please feel free to share more useful sites on the Helpful Links page.

Melanie

Hi! I have been interning at the Reagan Library for just over a month now, and it has been quite an exciting experience! My first task was pouring through White House files on the Supreme Court during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. It’s amazing how much you can learn by looking through primary source documents, they really make a period feel alive. Looking at memos that were actually sent around the White House really lends history a sense of immediacy. After all, these aren’t second hand accounts, but the real deal – memos the president and his staff actually read unveiled the workings of Reagan’s Cabinet right before my eyes.

After I had sifted, copied, and organized documents pertaining to Supreme Court Justices and nominees – such as Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Judge Robert Bork – I wrote up some brief abstracts that identified the document and its relevance. Although a demanding process, it proved very educational. The hope is that these documents become part of the Reagan Education Department’s “Document of the Month,” and can provide educators with some valuable insights into the Reagan Presidency – enhancing the learning experience of their students.

Our team of interns is working well together and things are progressing rapidly. I will keep you posted!

-Bryan

To begin, let’s start with a little explanation on the blog and the Document of the Month Workshop.

We started this blog in the hopes that it will open the lines of communication between the educators attending the Document of the Month workshop and the staff who will be preparing and guiding the workshop. On this site we will post educational tools and supplemental material for educators to use before, during and after they attend the workshop. We will also be offering a little glimpse into the research preparations we have been making and offering helpful hints for archival research.

Document of the Month will be a three-day workshop for educators taking place on July 26-28, 2010. At the workshop educators will delve through primary source documents related to a topic of their choice. Then, they will develop a curriculum using the primary sources that will address the California State Education Standards.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comment box below.

Until next time,

Melanie

We are currently in the process of preparing posts and uploading helpful information for the Document of the Month Workshop. Check back soon for updates.