Monthly Monday Meetups

Join colleagues on the second Mondays of the month, September-November and January-March, from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. for a series of online sharing sessions around a variety of social studies topics. These sessions will NOT recorded. Attend all six sessions to earn six renewal units or attend individual sessions to earn one renewal unit each. 

September 11, 2023: Introduction to Montana Historical Society Resources

In addition to curriculum for fourth grade and middle school, the Montana Historical Society has an abundance of lesson plans for every grade, most of which are interdisciplinary. Discover how MTHS’s varied and extensive resources can enhance your students’ learning across disciplines. Register.

October 9, 2023: Introduction to National History Day in Montana

National History Day is a grade 6-12 social studies and literacy program that teaches Common Core and social studies skills while teaching students to think like historians. Learn why you should bring National History Day to your school, the curricular resources available, and about National History Day’s contest model, including the upcoming competitions in Montana. Register.

November 13, 2023: Indian Education for All Resources

Find out what’s new on tap at the Indian Education for All Unit of the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Join OPI Indian Education Specialist Mike Jetty as he shares bad jokes and great resources to help you teach your students about Indian culture and history. Register.

January 8, 2024: Finding Primary Sources Online

We all know that a great primary source—a photo, a newspaper article, a letter—can bring history to life. So much is now accessible online, but how do you find what you need amidst the hundreds of thousands of pages of digitized content? Learn techniques for searching the Montana History Portal and Montana Newspapers, brainstorm uses for the primary sources you find there, and discover lesson plans that already incorporate primary sources. Register.  

February 12, 2024: Connecting Past and Present

History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme, and many of the issues we face today were pressing topics in our state's rich and robust history. Let’s talk about how to use Montana history and MTHS resources to connect the past to the present and share strategies for making discussions and projects surrounding current events more deliberate and reflective. Register.

March 11, 2024: Incorporating Children’s Literature into Social Studies

Novels, memoirs, and picture books are a great way to excite your students about history. Bring your favorite titles to share and learn what other Montana teachers are using in their classrooms to teach Indian Education for All, U.S., and Montana history. Register.