Building a Keynote Primary Source Animation for a Social Studies Conference

August 24, 2025

I’m delighted to be presenting at the Annual National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Washington D.C. December 2025. The theme of this year's conference is "because democracy depends on it," which inspired my proposal, "Design for Democracy: Incorporating Student Voice by Animating Primary Sources."

About the "Design for Democracy" Presentation:

My presentation will be a fast paced 25 minutes with all the information also online for those who cannot attend. I'll be showcasing 20 Keynote animations that teachers and students can use as sparks for research and inquiry. Each Keynote animation will be a simple remix of historic Library of Congress Posters and export to animated GIFS. My hope is that the presentation will encourage students to create simple yet impactful animation remixes of historic posters demonstrating knowledge of the past and using their "voice" in addressing current issues.

As I work along to build this presentation I'll add approximately 2 animations a week up until the week of the Conference (replying to my own post). I hope you'll follow along with suggestions and ideas.

Animation #1 - Democracy ..a Challenge

Teaching Notes from the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network:

Democracy .. a challenge was created by the Federal Art Project between 1936 and 1940. Students choosing this poster to study should carefully observe and research the image, to understand its themes and symbols. Next, they should design a simple slide animation that enhances the visual impact of the image. This animation should be concise and engaging, effectively conveying the message of the poster. Finally, students should propose an essential question that encourages meaningful discussions and critical thinking. (Example: “What are the challenges and aspirations of a democratic society?")

  

Arm of Statue of Liberty holding torch with animated flame - stars in background


Generalized instructions for this animation


Apple Support instructions for any project animating with Keynote (iOS):

Resource - Library of Congress Poster Collections:

8 replies

September 19, 2025 Language English

I'll continue to add animations as replies to above post as I build my presentation. Please critique. Thanks!

Animation #2 - 140th flag day, 1777-1917

Teaching Notes from the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network:

140th flag day, 1777-1917 The birthday of the stars and stripes, June 14th, 1917 was created in 1917 and is part of the World War I War Posters at the Library of Congress. Students choosing this poster to study should carefully observe and research the image, to understand its symbols. Next, they should design a simple slide animation that enhances the visual impact of the image. This animation should be concise and engaging, effectively conveying the message of the poster. Finally, students should propose an essential question that encourages meaningful discussions and critical thinking. (Example: “Why do symbols like the flag hold power, and how do they influence civic life?”) 

  • Primary source images of a 1917  Flag Day Poster.  Poster on the left is still, poster on the right is animated.
     
    General tips on how to create the Flag Day poster.

September 22, 2025 Language English

For this week's work I'm replying with two Keynote animations on the same theme democracy. Specifically these two Posters designed by James Montgomery Flagg were made to engage American citizens in supporting war in 1917 (World War I).

Teaching Notes

Explore the messages conveyed in these past posters. How can you create an animation using Keynote that highlights a poster that resonates with you and conveys a meaningful message?

  1. Analyze the original poster. Based on your research and observation, what do you see and what is the history behind the poster and message?
  2. Without altering the original intent or artistic style, identify a simple yet effective movement (animation) that could be incorporated into the poster.
  3. Build your animation on a Keynote slide and export as Animated GIF and share.
  4. Identify any contemporary issues that resonate with you that the poster might speak to.

Animation #3 - Wake Up America

Summary - Poster showing a woman, possibly Jean Earl Moehle (Möhle), dressed as Paul Revere carrying lantern and American flag. Moehle reenacted Paul Revere's ride for the Wake Up America Patriot's Day celebration in New York City. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2015 and The New York Times, April 19, 1917)

Poster and animation - Woman holding a lantern, with flag in background saying "Wake Up America.  Lantern and stars flicker.

Tips for animating Wake Up America Poster #3

Animation #4 - Wake Up America

Summary - Caption label from exhibit "World War I [Library of Congress] ...": James Montgomery Flagg's Call To Arms. After two and a half years of neutrality, the United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. James Montgomery Flagg, who created some of the war's most indelible images, sounded the alarm for all citizens in this poster which was featured in "Wake Up, America" Day in New York City just thirteen days later on April 19th.

Animated Poster #4 for Wake up America - Shows woman sleeping with a caption that says Wake Up America

 

Tips for animating Wake Up America Poster

See Post for resources

September 19, 2025 Language English

This week I'm adding two more Keynote slide animations to my upcoming National Council for the Social Studies presentation - animating historic primary source posters around the theme of democracy. These two focus on voting. Please see my post at the top for more information. I'll post each animation and explanation in a separate Reply. Please critique.

Animation # 5 At the ballot box, everybody is equal, register and vote Join the NAACP.

Teaching Notes:

This poster archived in the Library of Congress was sponsored by the NAACP and created between 1970 & 1980. The image of the black ballot box curtain with a variety of shoes peeking out under neath was hard to resist as an animation subject!

GUIDING QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS

  • What was the author’s primary intention behind creating this poster?
  • How does your animation contribute to the narrative?
  • What contemporary issues does the poster and your animation address?

Animated gif showing voting booth with a variety of shoes shoes showing underneath - a poster from 1970-80 encouraging voting
 

Tips for animating the poster using Keynote
For resources, see post at the top.

September 19, 2025 Language English

Here is the second Keynote animation for this week (as I build my presentation for the National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Washington D.C - December). See top post for details.

Animation #6 Beautify America - - register and vote.

This 1971 Poster in the Library of Congress collection Beautify America -- register and vote was sponsored by the United Federation of Teachers.

Teaching Notes:

Encourage student involvement in the democratic process by looking at past “vote” campaigns (or creating new ones) by animating primary sources using Keynote. What graphics/posters might still be viable today to “Promote the Vote” when animated?

Design, critical thinking, research, engagement, involvement - all part of the learning process.

Animated gif encouraging youth to vote.  Created in 1971
 

Tips for animating the poster in Keynote

September 19, 2025 Language English

Animation #7 WPA Rumor

Continuing this week with several more Keynote animations that I'll be using in my Teaching with Primary sources presentation.

Teaching Notes

Created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of the recovery effort during the Great Depression, this poster was funded by the Federal Art Project (United States). It was part of a campaign to quell rumors during economic hard times and secure citizen support, particularly during the depression and the buildup to World War II.

Today with digital access to communications and concerns about media literacy, students might investigate an essential question such as "In a democracy how do we discern fact from rumor?"

Side by side Animated Gif with original WPA Poster showing a man with a shovel "hitting" a wolf titled "rumor".

Tips for Animating the WPA Rumor primary source.

September 19, 2025 Language English

Animation #8 - Books Wanted for Our Men in Camp (1918 - 1923)

Continuing with more Keynote animations that I'll be using in my Teaching with Primary Sources presentation.

Teaching Notes:

This simple slide animation is created using a poster featured in the Library of Congress. At the time, it was designed to encourage donating books for World War I soldiers. A description of this program can be found in the blog post titled “Bringing Books to World War I Soldiers: The Library War Service” on the Teaching With the Library Primary Sources & Ideas for Educators blog.

During World War I, citizens were encouraged to support the war effort in various ways. Providing reading material for the soldiers was one way to indirectly support democracy.

 

Side by side posters. One, the original poster the other animated with books being stack-up for donation.

 

Tips for animating the poster

September 22, 2025 Language English

Continuing with "Replies" that showcase the Keynote Primary Source Poster Animations that I’ll be using in a Teaching with Primary Sources Poster presentation.

Animation #9 - Keep him free--Buy War Savings Stamps issued by the United States Treasury Dept.

Teaching Notes:

The majestic Eagle in Keep Him Free is part of the World War I poster collection in the Library of Congress. Citizens in 1917 were urged, via this campaign, to buy United States Saving Stamps to support the war effort. Keynote animations of this Poster might enhance the message of the campaign around the theme of democracy and encourage students to explore how a democracy deals with crisis.

Keep Him Free Poster Animated with an Eagle breaking free from a cage.

 

Tips for animating the Poster

September 22, 2025 Language English

Continuing to add Keynote animations as replies to above post as I build my presentation. Please critique. Thanks!

Animation #10 - Freedom of expression, of religion, from want, from fear everywhere in the world

This Work Projects Administration Poster, housed in the Library of Congress was sponsored by the Federal Art Project. The poster was promoting U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's four freedoms which he outlined in a speech to Congress in 1941 and was referencing the world wide economic depression as well as the hostilities that led to World War II.

An essential reflection question for students might be: Which of the Four Freedoms are clearly protected in your community and which are the most challenged?

Animation of the Four Freedoms poster

 

Tips on animating the 4 Freedoms Poster
See Post for resources

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