Online PDs Are Back!

 We started conducting hour-long, online PDs during COVID, and enough folks found them useful that we have decided to continue them.

These aren't your ordinary PDs--sure, we present new and useful information at each session, but during most sessions (except for the very first "Introduction to MTHS Resources") we provide a general topic and ask participants to share their successful ideas relating to the theme. This opportunity to share and learn from one another sets these sessions apart and makes them particularly useful. Here's this fall's line-up. Register for one, or register for them all!

September 12: Introduction to MTHS Resources, led by Martha Kohl 

October 10: Tech and Social Studies, led by Teacher Leader in Montana History April Wills (Bainville, MT,  fifth grade and K-5 Tech)

November 14: Indian Education for All, with special guest OPI Indian Education Specialist Mike Jetty 

Educators can earn one renewal unit for each PD they attend. 

Welcome Back

Of special interest to: Everyone

Re: Montana History Conference scholarships, audio versions of Montana history textbooks, finding resources, Teacher Leaders in Montana History, CRT, Facebook group  

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!

For Students with Learning Disabilities

Both Montana: Stories of the Land and Montana: A History of Our Home are available as audio books for students who have learning disabilities through Learning Ally.

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.

When Links Don't Work 

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? 

Looking for Guidance?

Need advice on how to incorporate Montana History or IEFA into your classroom or how to meet the new social studies standards? The Montana Historical Society’s Teacher Leaders in Montana History are here to help. These Montana educators have a passion for history, collaboration, and education, and they are eager to help you find resources. Each teacher leader is ready to work with individual teachers, schools, and districts and are available to consult, mentor, and present at PIR days. Learn more. 

Critical Race Theory

Someone asked me recently if our new fourth-grade textbook teaches Critical Race Theory. The answer is no--none of MTHS or OPI's Indian Education lessons teach Critical Race Theory. Some of them do teach about the history of discrimination. Confused about what you can and cannot teach? Here's an FAQ sheet. 

Have you had parents ask if you are teaching CRT? Consider using the question as an opportunity to open a dialog. Since CRT means different things to different people, kindly say, "explain to me what you are worried about and I'll tell you if I teach it" and then address their specific concerns. (H/T to Teacher Leader in Montana History Dylan Huisken for this excellent advice.)

Teaching Montana History Is on Facebook and Twitter!

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.

Montana Historical Society Teacher Leaders in Montana History have also begun leading twice monthly Twitter chats, every other Thursday from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Next chat will be TONIGHT, August 25. Join the conversation using the #MTHistTLs hash tag.

 

Teaching Montana History is edited (and mostly written) by MTHS Outreach and Interpretation Program Manager Martha Kohl.