Summer Institute for History Teachers

    The Colonial Society of Massachusetts

    Summer Institute 2024

    Using Colonial Society Sources in Early American History

    July 29-31, 2024

    The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Society of Colonial Wars, is sponsoring a three-day Summer Institute focused on the Revolutionary Period using the the Colonial Society’s extensive resources.  Designed for 5th-12th grade History and Social Studies educators, this Summer Institute will offer Professional Development Points through the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies as well as a stipend ($1500) for each attendee who turns in a completed lesson.  Those presenting their lessons in the classroom during the Fall will receive an additional stipend ($500).  An additional stipend ($1000) will be offered for additional work (3 days to be determined) on the Provincial Congress program.  Lessons may also be published on the Colonial Society of Massachusetts and the Society of Colonial Wars websites. 

    The focus will be on the Massachusetts Provincial Congress (1774-1780), in anticipation of a Commonwealth-wide reenactment of their proceedings in the coming years.  Teachers interested in creating that project are particularly encourages to apply.  This will be part of the ongoing Revolution 250 educational programming. 

    To learn more about the focus of the Summer Institute, please explore the extensive “Publications” and newly established “Documents” pages of the website of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts here:  https://www.colonialsociety.org/

    Each day will begin with a Seminar led by a leading scholar and member of the Colonial Society on the topic, followed by an examination of CSM Publications related to each time frame.  Participants will collaborate and work independently to structure lessons using the CSM Publications.

    Monday, July 29        Native America & 17th Century Early America

    Tuesday, July 30        18th Century Atlantic America / Introduction to the Provincial Congress

    Wednesday, July 31   Revolutionary America & the Provincial Congress

    Goals:                     

    • To make accessible digital primary and secondary resources of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts
    • To empower middle and secondary teachers building curriculum using these digital resources, including providing lectures and current historiographic scholarship (via CSM member guest participants)
    • To generate well-crafted UBD (understanding by design) lessons that are content-rich and skills-based as well as student-centered that demand students read, contextualized, analyze, and use primary sources; and to share these on the CSM and SCW-MA websites

    By the end of the 2024 Summer Institute, participants will have created:

    • A lesson or resource based on the digital Collections of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts that they will use in teaching and learning
    • An enhanced understanding of recent historiography of Early America and the Revolutionary Period
    • Skills for teaching rich and engaging primary sources of Colonial America

    Eligibility

    Public and Independent School educators are encouraged to apply, particularly those who teach between 5th and 12th grade history and social studies. 

    Expectations

    The seminar will meet in-person at the Colonial Society headquarters, 87 Mount Vernon Street, Beacon Hill, Boston.   Attendance from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day

    Final project must be completed by August 15, 2024.

    Lessons will be considered for publication on the Colonial Society website as well as the Society of Colonial Wars website.

    Model lessons with a CSM leader in the classroom during the fall of 2024.

    For those involved with the Provincial Congress, three project days during the academic year will be required. 

    Applying

    To apply, please use include the following:

    • A cover letter of interest and goals including how participation will enhance your teaching and learning in the classroom (no more than 500 words)
    • A list of your specific interests in these periods of colonial history
    • A current CV or resume
    • Send to:  Charles L. Newhall, chair, Summer Institute:  [email protected]

    Deadline: Monday, July 8, 2024

    Host Sponsor: The Colonial Society of Massachusetts 

    Sponsors: The Society of Colonial Wars, Massachusetts, The New England History Teachers’ Association, The Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies