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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Teaching American History Grant: Democratic Vistas =

**We are pleased to announce that a consortium of Shelton, New Haven, and Trumbull School Districts has been awarded a three year Teaching American History Grant from the federal Department of Education entitled ** //"The United States have, in my opinion, with all their faults, already substantially establish'd, for good, on their own native, sound, long-vista'd principles, never to be overturn'd, offering a sure basis for all the rest."// Walt Whitman, Democratic Vistas ** The centerpiece of the grant will involve a series of graduate courses, monthly forums, field trips and summer institutes in traditional American history and pedagogy. The Shelton, Trumbull and New Haven Consortium has as partners Yale University’s American Studies Program, Sacred Heart University, and the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition at Yale University. ** toc
 * //Democratic Vistas //**

** Teachers Served Under Grant **
** Who will this grant serve? ** The grant will serve teachers in grades 5-12 in Shelton and Trumbull, and grades 7-12 in New Haven. All teachers are encouraged to apply; special consideration will be given to those not served by the previous Teaching American History grants and Social Studies, Language Arts and Special Education Teachers, in that order.

** Professional Development Focus **
** What is the focus of the Graduate Courses, Monthly Forums, Field Trips and Summer Institutes? ** **// Democratic Vistas //** will provide in-depth professional development in traditional American history content and related teaching skills. Each year of the grant will cover a different time period. **Year one:** Contemporary American History (1945 to present); **year two:** Modern America and the World Wars (1914-1945); and **year three:** Crisis and Union, Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), and The Development of Modern American (1865-1920). Content and pedagogy will be delivered by Sacred Heart University professors and guest lecturers.

**Year Long Program**

 * __Option 1__: 20 participants will be selected to attend the program and receive 3 graduate course credits. Each course will carry three credits towards a Master of Arts in teaching, Sixth Year degree or Post Sixth Year graduate credits. The participants will be required to attend all 12 sessions which include eight monthly programs, two pedagogy sessions, two field trips (thirty six hours of instruction), and write a unit plan to implement in their classroom.
 * __Option 2__: 20 participants will be selected to attend the program and receive a $650 stipend and CEUs. The participants will be required to attend all 12 sessions which include eight monthly programs, two pedagogy sessions, two field trips (thirty six hours of instruction), and write a unit plan to implement in their classroom.
 * __Option 3__: Teachers will be invited to participate in individual forums, field trips, and study instructional strategies. Each month eligible teachers will receive notification of the upcoming event. 60 participants will be selected each month and will receive a $40 stipend/CEUs per session attended.

**Summer Institute**

 * __Option 1__: 10 participants will be selected to attend the program and receive receiving 3 graduate course credits
 * __Option 2__: 30 participants will be selected to attend the program and receive a $650 stipend/CEUs
 * All teachers selected to attend the Summer Institute are required to attend all 5 days of the workshop, and develop a unit plan. Teachers will meet with professors during the first quarter of the following school year to discuss classroom implementation and revisions to unit plans.

As fiscal agent for this Teaching American History grant, the Shelton Public School district will process and issue all stipends and CEUs.

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** Scheduling Information **
** When and Where Will Project Activities be Held? ** In 2010 the week long Summer Institute will be held at the Sacred Heart University, Cambridge Building, in Trumbull, CT. The year long program will be held after school one or two Wednesdays a month from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Some of the events will be held at the Shelton Intermediate School and others will be held at Yale University’s Luce Hall.  Back to Table of Contents

** Technology Network **
Shelton, Trumbull and New Haven teachers will have access to a web based technology network that will include online materials relevant for diverse students. Information will include primary sources, teaching strategies, unit plans, museum tours, pictures, music, readings and evaluation materials. Discussion venues will allow teachers to chat and blog about experiences in implementing instruction.

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Program Focus for 2010-2011
The focus of the 2010-2011 year long graduate course will be Modern America and the World Wars 1914-1945 **. **This course will provide in-depth professional development in traditional American history content and related teaching skills. Content will be delivered by guest speakers who have expertise in the topic being covered. Pedagogy and instructional strategies needed to teach this content at the participating teachers’ grade levels will be delivered by Sacred Heart University professors Dr. Lois Libby and Greg Hatzis.

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** Participation / Applying **
** What do I need to do if I am interested in participating in the program? ** Please complete the online application form for your district. The application can be accessed via the link provided in the red navigation box on the left side of this wiki. Forms will be electronically submitted to Liz Crosby, Teaching American History Project Director. The deadline for submission for Year 2 is September 10, 2010. There will be an information session on September 20th for the teachers selected to participate. Contact Liz Crosby if you have any questions at lcrosby@sheltonpublicschools.org or call (203) 395-1433.

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