The Teaching as Historians program aims to implement a cohesive model of professional development centered around increasing teachers’ knowledge and appreciation of American History. The project’s goals will also focus on increasing student academic achievement in American History, especially in low performing schools. In order to achieve the goals of the grant, the RCSD will be partnering with local historical organizations to bring intensive and quality development opportunities to teachers. Over the course of the program, the Rochester City School District will reach all Social Studies teachers. Program Partners:

♦ SUNY Brockport ♦ St. John Fisher College ♦ The Memorial Art Gallery

Participating Organizations:

♦ Akwaaba/The Heritage Associates

♦ Corn Hill Navigation ♦ Genesee Country Museum ♦ Strong National Museum of

Play ♦ Rochester Museum and

Science Center

Teachers wishing to participate in the Teaching as Historians program must be willing to commit to attending program offerings and professional development sessions. Participants will receive credit toward the RCSD PD incentive or be paid for their attendance. After attending events, participants are expected to share lessons, techniques, and strategies which they have created using the content knowledge gained from the sessions. These lesson plans and materials will be shared with other program participants through the district’s SharePoint portal. Participating teachers will also be required to take a content-based pre and post test to gauge the program’s effectiveness.

A four part lecture series will kick off the Spring 2009 Teaching as Historians Program. March 20, 2009 Focusing with Foggy Lenses: The Importance and Limitations of Doing History. Presented by James Spiller, Associate Professor of History, SUNY Brockport. April 1, 2009 Cultural History: The Great Depression and Work Projects Administration Poster Art. Presented by Rachel Baldanza, Creative Workshop Director at the MAG. A follow up session will be presented: Using Art in the History Classroom by Jeffrey Liles, Assistant Professor of Education at St. John Fisher College. April 27, 2009

Picturing America! Party Join colleagues at the MAG to be the first to receive a series of art posters funded through a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. Workshop focusing on arts integration in the history classroom will follow

May 11, 2009 Environmental Politics and Culture in Modern American History. Presented by James Spiller, Associate Professor of History, SUNY Brockport.

PPPPROGRAMROGRAMROGRAMROGRAM RRRREQUIREMENTSEQUIREMENTSEQUIREMENTSEQUIREMENTS PPPPROGRAMROGRAMROGRAMROGRAM CCCCONTENTONTENTONTENTONTENT PPPPROGRAMROGRAMROGRAMROGRAM FFFFORMATORMATORMATORMAT