For Parents
"The parents of our children are the guardians of our future citizens. They cannot evade the responsibility which is theirs through example and intelligent understanding to inspire and lay the groundwork for that type of character which does what is right under any given circumstance, and is able to withstand temptation."
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt, April 1934
| The purpose of this section is to aid parent's understanding of the research process and to assist them in helping their children learn to find and use information contained in historic documents to answer questions and challenge assumptions. |
Helping With Projects and Reports
Research can be fun if it is presented to students in the appropriate manner. Encourage
your child to view their work, not as an assignment for a class, but challenge them to make a discovery. Empower them to become "history detectives" hot on the trail of solving some great
mystery. Click here for more helpful hints and information about the nature of research and the parent's
role in the research process.
Understanding Document Based Research Questions (DBQs) and Primary Sources
The study of history and social studies in schools today is based on primary source
documents. Students will be required to answer document based questions in their tests
and assignments at school. Click here to learn more about document based questions (DBQs) and primary sources.
Bibliographies — Reading About the Roosevelts
Teachers, students and parents often ask us what books we would recommend regarding
the lives and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. This is a difficult question
to answer as literally hundreds, if not thousands, of books have been written about
the Roosevelts and the times in which they lived. Recognizing that it is always best
to examine a subject from a variety of perspectives, the Roosevelt Presidential Library's
Archives and Education Departments developed bibliographies and more online resources to serve as a starting point for those interested in learning more about the lives
and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Helping With National History Day Projects
Because National History Day focuses on a specific theme each year and is an evolving
program, it is important that the competition information you receive is accurate
and up to date. Themes, competition categories, rules and deadlines can be found on
the State and National History Day websites.
For general information about History Day and to read about students who recently completed a History Day project using materials from the FDR Library, click here.
The following are suggestions for helping your child participate in the National History Day competition.
- Always give positive encouragement, guidance and support.
- Make sure your child feels ownership of the project.
- Help your child locate the primary sources he or she will use in the project, but the child should be the one to take notes, conduct interviews, and so forth.
- Make certain your child uses resources other than the internet. Encourage them to attend and explore museums, archives, historic sites, lectures and author talks.
More Resources for Parents and Families:
Featured Resources provides links to many helpful and interactive online educational tools created by the Library's Education Department.
About the Archives introduces the archival holdings and online features available through the Archives portion of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library website. Begin your search for primary sources here.
