From theatre performances to educator workshops, the library hosts events and programming throughout the year for you and your students.
Education Newsletter
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Upcoming events
As President Johnson said at the signing of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on April 11, 1965, education will "bridge the gap between helplessness and hope." Educators are the bridge builders. At the LBJ Library, we want to support and celebrate the important bridge builders in the classrooms, schools, and institutions throughout the nation.
Join us at the LBJ Library for educator-only hours to visit the museum, including the new Music America exhibit, enjoy food & beverages, and be spoiled with door prizes and tons of love. This event is May 8, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm.
Educator Appreciation Night is a free event to all educators 18-years and older, but registration by Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:00pm CST is required.
But really! Look at the history of the United States. "Kids" have often been the catalysts for major social and political change. We've seen the impact of youth movements in the factories and at lunch counters, from marches on campuses and cases in the Supreme Court. While the Beastie Boys advocated that youth had to “Fight for your right… to Party” we know that throughout history, the young generations have been the ones to advocate for a better nation.
At You Gotta Fight!: Youth Movements In America, educators will explore the history of youth action to highlight problems and create movements for change. Join us as we travel through American history examining the "kids" who have changed the nation with one march, letter, song, and seat at a time. Participants will explore history and youth civic engagement, examine primary source documents from the National Archives, and dive into the stories that expand your curriculum. Make history come alive in your classroom by allowing your students to see themselves in history, to see the role that young people have played to be part of their nation. Let's look at how 'kids' were trying to uphold the ideals of American democracy by speaking up and speaking out— all without having the right to vote!
This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...
Those lyrics by the new-school hip hop group Run-DMC were not just the beginning of a fantastic earworm, but also make a valid point. Music is a statement. It IS vital.
You can’t deny the role that music plays in our lives, the lives of our students, or in American history. Music defines eras (that’s a historical reference, not a Taylor Swift reference), serves as a vehicle of expression and emotion, and ties us to specific moments in time. Music defines and reflects American culture.
American history is tricky. American culture is tricky. And oftentimes, American music is tricky.
During “It’s Tricky: American Music & Culture” Educator Summer Institute, participants will explore the history of American music, examine genre changes, analyze how music is shaped by political & social events, and how music has served as a voice for the voiceless. Join us as we take a deep dive into 250+ years of American music– and inevitably jam out to some iconic songs! This educational experience is designed for K-12 educators from all disciplines. “It’s Tricky” will feature discussions with historians & guest speakers, an opportunity to experience American history through a new lens, and valuable time to collaborate with fellow educators from across the nation.
This four-day workshop will be hosted at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, Texas, June 24-27, 2024. This workshop is being held in conjunction with the exhibit “Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History” on loan to the LBJ Library from the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.
To participate in this institute, educators must be selected through an application review process.
The application for “It’s Tricky” has closed. Participants will be notified of their selection status by May 1, 2024. Waitlist participants will be notified of eligibility by May 15, 2024.
Brought to you by the LBJ Foundation and its generous supporters, we are excited to provide the following for all accepted participants:
- 4-nights hotel accommodation
- Daily transportation to and from the hotel and LBJ Library each day of the workshop
- Breakfast and lunch each day of the workshop
- Resources relevant to workshop content and discussion
- $250 travel/time stipend for all participants
- Continuing education hours certificate for 32 CPE hours upon completion of the workshop
Participants will be responsible for:
- Travel to & from their home to Austin, Texas
- Dinner each day
- Local non-workshop based travel costs
- Any extra hotel nights and/or incurred fees
- A $75 non-refundable deposit to hold their place in the summer institute
Speakers include:
- Kenneth Campbell, Monmouth University
- Daniel Carson, University of Texas Butler School of Music
- Leila Cobo, Billboard
- Michael Cooper, Southwestern University
- Robert Duke, University of Texas Dell Medical School
- Holly George-Warren, State University of New York-New Paltz and the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music/Tisch School of the Arts at New York University
- Bruce Gleason, University of St. Thomas
- Glenda Goodman, University of Pennsylvania
- Hannah Lewis, University of Texas Butler School of Music
- Alan Light
- Bruce Boyd Raeburn, formerly of Tulane University
- Nico Schüler, Texas State University
- Melissa Ziobro, Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music and Monmouth University
- Lynn Zubernis, West Chester University
The Citizenship Project @ LBJ Library
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library proudly offers The Citizenship Project digital course, in partnership with the New-York Historical Society. This program will provide free online citizenship classes for United States green card holders preparing for the civics test portion of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization interview. The course covers EVERY question that could be asked of someone in their civics/history interview.
Participation in these classes is not limited to any age range or ability level. The only requirement to participate is having a valid U.S. green card. It is recommended to have a moderate level of English due to the speed of the course. This course would not be suitable for young learners (pre-teens and younger).
Courses are typically offered at the beginning of the year (February) and around the start of the school year (August & September) and are held 1-2x a week for 6-weeks.
For more information about The Citizenship Project, see https://www.nyhistory.org/citizenship-project.
If you are interested in attending an upcoming session of The Citizenship Project hosted by the LBJ Library, please call 512-721-0195 or email education@lbjlibrary.org.
Professional Development
Schedule a workshop with us
We can also accommodate and arrange a workshop on a weekday (any time of year) when the museum is open to the public. Contact us at education@lbjlibrary.org for more information.
Civics for All of US
Free Civics for All of US Constitution Webinar Programs for K–12 Students
Join the National Archives for live, interactive virtual programs for K–12 students around Constitution Day, from September 13–25. Each 30-minute program uses primary sources from the National Archives to connect students to the big ideas of the Constitution. All events will be delivered via Zoom and participant comments will be shared only with presenters to ensure a student-friendly environment. Registration will close 24 hours before each event. Teachers and caregivers, register your students today!
This program is a part of Civics for All of US, the national civic education initiative from the National Archives. Our interactive distance learning programs draw upon the vast holdings of the National Archives to promote the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Each program is led by one of our educators located at National Archives sites, the Center for Legislative Archives, and Presidential Libraries across the country.
Check https://civics.archives.gov/ for more information, including how to request a program for groups of 10 or more students.
Education Outreach Program
The LBJ Presidential Library Education Outreach Program strives to extend library resources to schools, teachers, and students in communities across Texas. An education specialist from the LBJ Library can *travel to your school, school district, or education service region to provide:
- Professional development for teachers (TEA CPE Provider)
- Educational programming for students
- TEKS-aligned lesson plans and resources
Topics include, but are not limited to, the presidency, civil rights, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the 1964 election. All costs associated with bringing an LBJ Library education specialist to your site will be covered if any of the following qualifications are met:
- Title I school
- Over 50% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch
- Rural school or community
For questions about the LBJ Library Education Outreach Program, please contact Education Specialist Sheila Mehta at sheila.mehta@nara.gov.