 | When I was recently invited to take a place at this year's teacher institute at Colonial Williamsburg, I immediately went to the sample agenda and found that it is different from the sample agenda for the one that was cancelled over the last two years. I'm really excited to have this experience over the summer. If everything stands as the sample agenda denotes, the theme of this year's institute will be titled Evolving Perspectives on American Identity: Resistance, Revolution, and Reform (1607–1870). It will be interesting to see how the country evolves through from slavery through the 15th Amendment. It promises to be revealing and challenging. The description and objectives for this week are as follows: |
Description:
Can the American identity be defined? How does American society mediate conflict and consensus amongst various cultures? What will the American identity become in the future? During this course, participants will examine how the concept of an American identity began and continues to evolve and transform with each new generation of Americans. Through inquiry-based analysis of primary sources and exploring the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, teachers examine how that identity influenced citizens to shape and change the Republic through the 1870s.
Objectives: As a result of this session, teachers will be able to:
* Chart the evolution of American identity from British colonization to the Revolutionary War and through the U.S. Civil
War and Fifteenth Amendment to make connections to the present-day United States.
*. Evaluate how historical events from 1607 to 1870 have impacted American identity.
*. Encourage civil discourse utilizing the diverse and multiple perspectives of those impacted by the creation of the
American nation.
*. Effectively apply instructional strategies using primary and secondary sources to reach diverse learners.
