Taking Education Beyond the Classroom
Warner’s Teaching with Primary Sources started with attending a Teacher Institute at the Library of Congress. Through this Institute, two grants were written and received to develop curriculum materials to teach about the Seminole Indians. The first grant involved traveling to historic locations with teachers so they could experience the value of place-based learning. The locations–Dade Battlefield State Park, Fort Christmas and Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum–provided rich contexts for learning. Elementary-focused teachers developed lessons they could take back to their classrooms. The second grant was designed to have lessons that could be shared with a wider audience. Through this the first TPS booklet was designed: The Dade Battlefield Booklet. The booklet uses images, primary sources, thinking routines, and critical thinking to engage learners. After receiving positive response from teachers, the decision was made to expand the content. The second booklet in development is Explorations into the US Space Program. Once again, images, primary sources, thinking routines, and critical thinking activities engage students in learning content. Each booklet will have a teacher guide. More booklets are anticipated to develop concerning topics in Social Studies and Science.
**Materials are sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University.**
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Dr. Laurie Boulden