Expanded Opportunities
Once participants have completed the required two Core Elements, they are eligible to receive funding for further study pertaining to specific areas within the themes which interest them.? Teachers will be able to attend national conferences and are encouraged to be presenters.? Other Expanded Opportunities could include visits to historic sites or resource centers either individually or as a group.? Teachers will then be encouraged to share their experiences with other teachers.
Click Here to see a flow chart which illustrates what requirements must be filled in order to participate.
Summer Travel Opportunities!
HURRY! Many events that take place over the summer are already accepting applications! Check out each individual event to find out when your application is due. You must also fill out a West Shore Consortium For Dynamic History Instruction Application for Funding in order to receive funding for expenses not covered by the specific program you wish to attend. Funding is limited and we may not be able to fund everyone - so get the process rolling now to get in on the action!
Gilder Lehrman Institutes - Several to choose from!
Visit their website for information on how to apply. If you are accepted by the Gilder Lehrman Insitute, and you qualify for "Expanded Opportunity" funding under West Shore Consortium guidelines, your travel, lodging and other expenses will be covered!
Economic Forces in American History
Visit their website for more information on how to apply. 2 teachers from Fruitport attended this event last summer and found it valuable and useful! If accepted to the program, your tuition and lodging is included. The West Shore Consortium will cover your travel expenses if you qualify!
Smithsonian Education - Several to choose from!
Visit their website for more information and application procedures. Some expenses may already be covered by the Smithsonian, depending on the program. Other expenses may be covered by the West Shore Consortium if you qualify.
"Primarily Teaching" at the National Archives
Travel to one of the many National Archive Centers around the country to do intensive document research and develop ways to include primary documents in your classroom. Many dates and sites are available, so check out the website for more details! If you qualify and you are accepted to the program, the West Shore Consortium may cover your travel, lodging, and other expenses!
The Eisenhower Academy for Teachers
Visit Gettysburg, PA for an intensive look at Eisenhowers presidency and other important aspects of American History. Application information can be found here. If you qualify and you are accepted to the program, the West Shore Consortium may cover your travel, lodging, and other expenses!
Black Hands, Blue Seas at Mystic Seaport
Visit the famous seaport and spend some time investigating race and the high seas! Look for details here. If you qualify and you are accepted to the program, the West Shore Consortium may cover your travel, lodging, and other expenses!
Customized Opportunities!
The West Shore Consortium may be able to sponsor your attendance at a state or national conference or workshop if you qualify under TAH Grand guidelines! Contact John Johnson , Project Manager, to ask if the event you are interested in qualifies!
Past Expanded Opportunities
NCSS P.A.S.S. Training in Santa Clara, CA
A teacher from Holton High School traveled to California for a week of instruction in the National Council for Social Studies "Powerful and Authentic Social Studies" program. It provides social studies educators with professional training in curriculum design, assessment, and instruction in a standards-based environment. Click here for more!
Primarily Teaching, presented by the National Archives in Boston, MA
A high school teacher from Allendal Public Schools traveld to Boston, MA for a week of intense study in the National Archives. This workshop provides a varied program of lectures, demonstrations, analysis of documents, independent research, and group work that introduces teachers to the holdings and organization of the National Archives. Click here for more!
Economic Forces in American History, presented by the Foundation for Teaching Economics in Wooster, OH
Two teachers from Fruitport High School traveled to Ohio for a week of study examining how economics has impacted American History. While there they gathered valuable information and learned powerful teaching techniques and activities that they have brought directly back to their classrooms. Click here for more!
Street Law, the Supreme Court Summer Institute, Washington DC
One teacher from the West Ottawa Public Schools traveled to Washington DC for an unparalleled experience with the Supreme Court.
Co-sponsored by Street Law, Inc. and the Supreme Court Historical Society, the Supreme Court Institutes and Seminars train some of the best law, government and social studies teachers in the country to better teach about the U.S. Supreme Court. The Institutes and Seminars are designed to help teachers grow professionally by deepening their knowledge about the Supreme Court and learning innovative teaching methods to help students master standards-based content related to the Court and its cases. Click here for more information!
2006 MCSS Conference, Lansing
In February of 2006, 5 teachers from Muskegon and Ottawa counties gave presentations to colleagues from across the state at the annual Michigan Council for Social Studies Conference in Lansing. These presentations were well attended and received many compliments from attendees.
To see pictures from the conference, use this link to get to the TAH blog...have a look, leave a comment!
NCHE Conference, Williamsburg, VA
In April, 3 teachers participants flew to Williamsburg, VA for the annual National Council for History Education Conference there. They attended presentations by other teachers, professors, scholars and authors. They also visited Colonial Williamsburg and Historic Jamestown. Jamestown was in the process of preparing for its 400th anniversary celebration. They visited the archaeological dig and witnessed first-hand the unearthing of one of America's very first settlements!
To see pictures from the conference, use this link to get to the TAH blog...have a look, leave a comment!
Dearborn Bus Trip
On November 3rd, 2006, Dr. James Goode from GVSU accompanied a group of 7 lucky teacher-participants to Dearborn, MI, one of the largest Arab-American communities in the United States.
After an exciting van trip, we were given a guided tour of the beautiful new Arab American National Museum and treated to a fabulous lunch of Middle Eastern food.
After that, we visited with an Imam at the Masjid Mosque in Dearborn. The Imam we met with was a Sudanese Muslim with a degree in Political Science who has been in the US for about 14 years. As you might imagine, his experince offered some extrememly interesting points of view.
Finally, we returned to the Museum for a conference with a local bilingual teacher from the Dearborn schools. Formerly from Lebanon, she also had much to say about Arab-American relations, Arab culture, Islam, education, and current political events in the US.
If you have questions about this trip - whether you were a participant or not - please visit our BLOG! You'll also find some pictures of the trip there!