Core Elements Background and Structure

The West Shore Consortium for Dynamic History Instruction is deliberately structured in such a way that teachers will benefit from exposure to high-quality training in historical analysis through participation in any combination of two Core Elements.? Following the completion of that requirement, teachers are able to gain access to other resources and events to further their study in areas of specific interest to them.

To see flow chart which explains this process, click here.

Core Element #1: NCHE History Coloquium

Each year, the Consortium will host a History Colloquium with the National Council for History Education.  Focused on the principle of collegiality, the NCHE Colloquium model emphasizes a tripartite alliance of three equal team members and, above all, stresses the need to pay attention to teachers as the professionals that they are.  We include an academic historian because content is essential, a curriculum specialist, because we want someone who has worked extensively on how to teach history effectively and how students of all ages learn, and a master classroom teacher, because the practical pressures of the classroom and school schedule are different from the university and it is the professional teacher who translates academic research into teachable lessons.  The team is also a model of professionalism that we hope history teachers will adopt for themselves as true and needed colleagues of university professors.  Participants receive substitute teacher reimbursement, a stipend, materials, and a one-year NCHE membership for free. For more information regarding the Colloquia, click here.

Core Element #2: GVSU Summer Institute:

In addition to the proven Colloquium model, each year the Consortium will offer an intense, 2 week graduate-level Summer Institute in conjunction with Grand Valley State University.  The Summer Institute is designed to allow for more in-depth study of subject matter and teaching techniques while further building professional relationships between teachers from different grade levels and from different school districts.  Three graduate credits will be available each year and participants will receive a large stipend for participation.  All materials will be provided and no prior participation is required to attend a Summer Institute.  For more information regarding the Summer Institute program click here.

Core Element #3: Focused Learning Communities:

During years 2 and 3 of the grant, teachers will be able to participate in a variety of different, smaller groups which will offer greater flexibility of content and focus.  These focused learning communities will be developed by the Project Management Team to respond to teachers specific interests in expanding on previous themes or getting an early start on upcoming ones.  Focused Learning communities may also be developed to explore issues such as curriculum development, assessment design, and local history sources.  Like the other core elements, there will be no cost to participants! Form more information regarding current Focused Learning Communit offereing click here