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Teaching American History (TAH)

About

The Teaching American History Federal Grant is aimed at increasing student achievement in Social Studies. The program helps teachers discover ways to use primary American History sources by directly connecting students with key historical figures and events. The grant provides staff development in constructivist teaching pedagogy and inquiry-based learning, as well as on-going mentoring and collaboration throughout the year.

The curriculum for the grant is delivered in a web based format. The focus for each year is as follows:

Year one: Exploring the West – emphasis on early American explorers and the impact their journeys had in defining the nation.

Year two: Moving West – emphasis on early westward expansion, detailing the importance of fur trading, missionaries, travels along the Oregon Trail , and those seeking their fortunes amid the California Gold Rush.

Year three: Settling the West – emphasis on the improvement of transportation and communication, as well as land grants which facilitated a massive western expansion in the late 19 th century.

The grant is a three year grant, with teachers actively participating in one of those years. We are currently in the second year of the grant. Year three training dates are set. and include two during the school year: March 21, and May 16. Substitute costs are paid through the grant. The third training is our Summer Institute, beginning with a welcome reception the evening of Wednesday, June 21, with the training occurring the 22nd and 23rd.
  • Our focus is on the Westward Movement. The first year we focused on exploring the West, while the second year's curriculum focuses on moving west. The third year curriculum will focus on settling the West, including the plight of Native Americans, the importance of land grants, the Homesteader Act, and how "modern" technologies influenced these. While the teachers work directly with the curriculum of their particular year, they have access to all three years of curriculum, and are not limited to the focus we introduce to them during their trainings.
  • In addition to the wonderful curriculum, we also focus on teaching pedagogy, and the state Social Studies standards. As the 2008-2009 school year approaches just around the bend, it is our goal to help our grant teachers become proactive, versus reactive, to the Social Studies Classroom Based Assessments, which will be mandatory at that time. We have included Caleb Perkins from OSPI in our Summer Institute this last year to help our teachers understand the requirements, and what the CBAs entail. Our summer institute this past year included a day with an expert historian and a master teacher from National History Day. We will continue both these worthwhile trainings in the upcoming final round of the grant.
  • Our teachers are given a subscription to My eCoach, an online collaboration tool, which includes many excellent resources. We also provide them with a resource binder which we work with throughout the trainings, and during follow-up work during the following school year. We focus on project-based, inquiry learning to deepen students understanding. I provide follow-up support during the school year. I will be out to visit the teachers during the year to assist them in any way I can. I also keep them up to date with any state or national initiatives that effect Social Studies.