New HUB Course
Looking for a quick tour of the lessons and strategies we've integrated into the Montana: A History of Our Home curriculum?
We now have a one-hour class on OPI's Teacher Learning HUB to introduce educators to the key historical themes and topics integrated into the curriculum. (Participants receive one renewal unit.)
MTHS Traveling Trunks
The HUB course also provides a brief overview of our traveling trunk program. These hands-on history footlockers use replica and real artifacts, photographs, and documents to bring history alive for students. Teachers get the trunks for two weeks; the rental fee is $25. Each footlocker comes with a user guide that has lesson plans and readings. These are all posted online and can be downloaded and used without ordering the trunk.
The footlockers are really popular, and teachers often reserve them months in advance, so I was surprised to see that some my favorites are still available this spring, including Coming to Montana, Montana State Symbols, and Through the Eyes of a Child.
Social Studies Second Tuesday
Speaking of teaching with artifacts--and PDs--don't forget to register for the March 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m. online training: "Engaging with Your Local Museum, led by MTHS Teacher Leader April Wills (who teaches fourth grade in Culbertson). Museum school partnerships can reach far beyond fieldtrips. They can provide students opportunities to conduct local history research and offer authentic audiences for student work. April--and other educators who will be participating in the meet-up, have done amazing local history projects with her students in collaboration with her county historical society. Register here to be part of this exciting conversation (and earn one OPI renewal unit).
Button Contest
National History Day in Montana is sponsoring a button design contest. Any student grades 4-12 can enter a design that relates to Montana or Montana History, which will be turned into a button. New deadline: April 1. Please share this opportunity with your art teachers and artistically inclined students. The new deadline is April 1. Learn more and all contest criteria here.
Centennial Bell Teacher of the Year Award
Do you know an elementary school (grades 4-6) teacher who does an exemplary job teaching Montana history? Please nominate them for the 36th Montana Statehood Centennial Bell Award by completing this very simple form, which will take less than two minutes to complete. Nominations are due March 31. Learn more about the award here.
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