Description: Teaching American History Program (TAH) is a grant supported professional development research-based program for K-12 classroom teachers who teach history/social studies. In June 2007 the grant was awarded to the Hudson Public School System in conjunction with the Assabet Valley Collaborative and in partnership with the American Antiquarian Society (Worcester, MA), the National Council for History Education and UMass Boston. Grant partners are committed to provide opportunities for high quality professional development in order to improve student learning and knowledge about American History. Grant participants will expand their content knowledge, using primary sources; develop engaging classroom resources; and develop a professional support network as they create lesson plans and/or multimedia presentations.

Teachers will also have the opportunity to collaborate with TAH co-coordinators and a professor from UMass Boston during the school year. This support team will assist teachers in using resources and primary sources, observing lessons in the classrooms, and helping to create lesson plans. Lead teachers will be selected from grant participants by the conclusion of the 2008 grant cycle. These teachers will assist others in their school districts, by sharing materials and resources provided by the TAH partners and supporting collegial teaching practices. They will be key in maintaining the stability and growth of the program in the years ahead.

Teachers and their students will also be asked to participate in the assessment of the program by completing content, perception and attitude surveys. As a condition of our funding, a study will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of these professional development programs throughout the three-year-cycle. Teacher content knowledge will also be anonymously assessed at the beginning and the conclusion each yearly cycle.

Additional yearly benefits include:

• free, high quality training with scholars, professors and museum professionals
• professional development points
  • 6.5 PDPs for March 8, 2008 workshop
  • 37.5 PDPs for First Amendment Institute
  • 37.5 PDPs for Slavery Institute
  • 6.5 PDPs for November 8, 2008 workshop
• graduate credits available at your expense
• assistance in developing history and interdisciplinary curricula
• teacher stipends:
  • $200 for attending and completing the expectations of each spring and fall workshop
  • $625 for attending and completing the expectations of each summer week-long institute
• up to $1650 to each teacher who participates and completes the exceptions of the four 2008 TAH programs
• free American history-related materials
• choice of level of participation

Compensation for Teachers:

• Teachers may apply for history graduate credits.
• Teachers are eligible for professional development credits awarded by the Hudson School Department.
• Teachers will receive stipends, up to $1650, after the completion of all program requirements, depending on their level of participation for which there are several options available.

Theme 2008: Pedagogy

Knowing how to teach history is as important as knowing history. Best practices in teaching history will be taught, which include historical thinking skills such as drawing conclusions, making inferences, comparing and contrasting, understanding point of view and multiple perspectives, interpreting and analyzing primary sources, charts and tables, and comprehending informational and textual material. Developing and using essential questions and problem-solving strategies as tools for engaging students’ understanding will be emphasized throughout the programs.

Selection Criteria:

Participation in TAH workshops and institutes are controlled by the funding parameters of the grant. The March 8, 2008 workshop can accommodate 45 participants, while the November 8, 2008 workshop is geared for 54 participants. Each summer week-long institute is limited to 36 participants.