Free Online PDs from MHS

Because we couldn't host in-person PDs last year, we, like everyone else, mournfully made the switch to online. And we found out that folks liked it! So even though we're back to hosting in-person PDs (are you coming to the September 23 Educator's workshop in Butte?) we decided to continue to offer online options as well, the second Wednesday of every month from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.  These sessions are interactive and attendees can earn one OPI renewal credit per session. 

September 8: Introduction to MHS Resources

Participants will be given time to explore the MHS website and then will be asked to share resources they plan to use in their classrooms. Register here before September 7 to receive a link to the Zoom meeting. 

October 13: Diving into the New Social Studies Standards

Join with other teachers to explore the new Social Studies content standards, focusing on the ones that are relevant to the grades you teach, and learn how the new social studies skills standards overlap, or complement, the standards for other academic disciplines. Register here before October 12 to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.  

November 10: Hooks!

Back by popular demand! Last year’s session on Hooks was the overwhelming crowd favorite, so we thought we’d do it again. Bring your best strategies for engaging students to share and/or come to learn what has worked in your colleagues’ classrooms. Register here before November 9 to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.  

December 8: Explore the Montana Memory Project
Join Montana Memory Project Director Jennifer Birnel for a tour of the new Montana Memory Project website, and learn how you can find primary sources to use in your classroom—from historical photographs and yearbooks to cattle brands and reminiscences. Then join in a discussion of best practices for introducing primary sources to students. Register here before December 7 to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.

 

Best of, Elementary...

 ... and a request.

Help!

Every spring, I ask folks to share their favorite Montana history of IEFA lesson, the one they would absolutely do again. And every year, your answers are the most popular aspect of my listserv, so I know you came for your colleagues' recommendations. But since you are here, please email me if you teach fourth grade and are able and willing to test a lesson on "The 1972 Constitution," "What Governments Do," "Tribal Sovereignty," and/or "Montana's Economy" before October 15. 

And now onto the main attraction!

 

Recommendations 

Shelby third grade teacher Sara White wrote: "I use the Montana Skies Blackfeet and Crow Astronomy books/CDs to have the students during the winter listen to the Blackfeet story 'The Woman Who Married a Star.'" I ask them to "recount the story, determine the central message/lesson or moral and explain how it is conveyed through the text. Then I do the same lesson with the Crow story, "The Seven Stars: The Story of the Seven Bulls." The students love to hear the stories and we have great, enriching discussions." [OPI sent these books and CDs to every public school, but they can also be found online. The books with lesson plans are here (Crow) and here (Blackfeet). Links to the stories, which have been posted on YouTube, are here.  

Fifth/sixth-grade teacher Shannon Baukol, from Arrowhead School (Park County) wrote: " I loved teaching the Coming to Montana unit to my 5th and 6th grade class this year. I found it extremely valuable and enlightening and it gave my students so much information that they didn't already know." 

Elementary librarian Ruth Ferris (Billings) wrote that her favorite lesson was "An Artists Journey: Transform a Painting into Poetry," which asks students to examine several Russell paintings using their five senses, before choosing one painting to use as an inspiration for a poem. 

Anonymous: This year I used the "Water Protectors" book [We Are Water Protectors]. I read the story aloud to the students, then discussed the main idea and important history to go with the story. We did a watercolor art project portraying clean water. We wrote poetry describing our feelings about why clean water is important to all life. The students were engaged and learned many new things about the history and importance of the Water Protectors. I will do this every year from now on. 

Anonymous: In October I did a unit on the Native American populations in MT. The book lists were wonderful. [I think she's talking about the books listed in this post and this post.] 

Anonymous: We had a trip to the local museum to study the natural resources of our area. We are making a trip to the museum to do a search for Native American items from this area. 

P.S. We had to migrate our website to a new platform, which may have led to some broken links. We can usually fix bad links quickly if we know about them. Will you help us identify problems by emailing me any broken links you find? Pretty please?  

P.P.S. Don't forget to register for Introduction to MHS Resources, September 8, from 4:00-5:00 and earn one OPI Renewal Unit. Participants will be given time to explore the MHS website and then will be asked to share resources they plan to use in their classrooms. Register here before September 7 to receive a link to the Zoom meeting. 

 

Welcome Back

Welcome back! Or if you are new to Teaching Montana History, welcome. I hope everyone had a good summer. The first posts of the school year are always business, so let's get started.

Help This Community Grow

If you have colleagues you think would enjoy this listserv, please let them know how to subscribe!

Apply for a Scholarship to Attend the Montana History Conference in Butte

We're back in person for the 48th Annual Montana History Conference, September 23-25. View the program and then apply for a Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation scholarship to cover your conference registration and some of your travel expenses. (We also provide OPI Renewal Units to conference attendees.) 

Back by Popular Demand: Online PD

Join us the second Wednesdays of the month, from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. for an hour of interactive professional development, and earn one OPI Renewal Unit. First up, September 8: Introduction to MHS Resources: Participants will be given time to explore the MHS website and then will be asked to share resources they plan to use in their classrooms. Register here before September 7 to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.

For Students with Learning Disabilities

Did you know? Montana: Stories of the Land is available as an audio book for students with learning disabilities through Learning Ally.

When Links Don't Work 

We had to migrate our website to a new platform, which may have led to some broken links. We can usually fix bad links quickly if we know about them. Will you help us identify problems by emailing me any broken links you find? Pretty please? 

Teaching Montana History Facebook Group

If you spend time on Facebook, I hope you'll join--and actively participate--in our closed Teaching Montana History Facebook group. It's a great way to connect to other teachers. I look forward to connecting with you there—or through phone or email. Please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Finding Teaching Resources

You can find resources on the "For Educators" page of the MHS website. They are organized by subject, as well as by skill level: Elementary, Middle School, and High School.