HISTORY LAB:Inquiry Based Teaching of Traditional American History:

Process and Pedagogy from the Teachers Perspective

“The notion that students must be given facts and then at some distant time in the future will “think” about them is

both a cover-up and a perversion of

pedagogy… One does not collect facts he does not need, hang on to them, and

then stumble across the propitious moment to use them. One is first

perplexed by a problem and then makes use of facts to achieve a solution.”

(Charles Sellers, 1969)

INQUIRY BASED TEACHING Use of open learning -- there is no prescribed target

or result which students have to achieve. Objective Study of history is interpretive Argumentative position – no right answer

The student researches, reads and interprets information. Heightens engagement Heightens comprehension Heightens rigor of lesson

The teacher guides them to the desired learning goal but without making it explicit what this is.

Challenging process for teachers.

INQUIRY BASED TEACHING – HISTORY LABS

Create overarching question

Provide Sources Debrief/ Connection

questions Support Time Assessment

Analyze overarching question

Examine sources Evaluate sources for

relevance Eliminate materials (DBQ) Determine context Corroborate sources Generate questions* Synthesize material Formulate a position on

overarching question Answer and justify

overarching question

Role of Teacher Role of Student

HISTORY LAB – WRITING PROCESS Topic selection

Indicator Objective(s)

Outline Overarching question Assessment

Topic questions Your questions Major events

What is the essential learning?

HISTORY LAB – WRITING PROCESS Methods

Sources Teaching strategies technology

Areas of challenge Ability level of students Availability of sources/resources vocabulary Time

HISTORICAL THINKING SKILLS

1. Chronological Thinking 2. Historical Comprehension 3. Historical Analysis and Interpretation 4. Historical Research Capabilities 5. Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-

Making

How are you incorporating HTS into the history lab?

INVESTIGATING THE LOUISIANA PURCHASEHistory Lab #2

Matthew Young, Pikesville Middle School

Traci Grogin, Windsor Mill Middle School

Valerie Puckett, Holabird Middle School

Wendy Schanberger, Hereford Middle School

BCPS CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT:INDICATORS AND OBJECTIVES UNIT V OVERVIEW: NATIONALISM AND

EXPANSION IN AMERICA A: Students will analyze the Louisiana

Purchase in order to determine the degree to which it impacted the nation. analyze Lewis and Clark’s Mission of Discovery

(Geography B.1) analyze the challenges that confronted Lewis

and Clark (Geography B.1) determine the value of the Louisiana Purchase

territory to the United States (History B.1.a)

OVERARCHING QUESTION

Explain how Jefferson’s choice to purchase the Louisiana Territory was beneficial to the nation. Should future Presidents follow Jefferson’s precedent in interpreting the Constitution?

LAB FOCUS Students will analyze the Constitutional issues

surrounding the purchase, investigate Lewis and Clark’s Mission of Discovery, and determine in what ways the Louisiana Purchase added value to the United States.

Lab Objectives: Analyze executive powers given in the Constitution Comprehend, analyze, and interpret primary and

secondary sources Ascertain the initial effects of interactions with native

peoples Understand geographic conditions of the western United

States Determine bias and point-of-view in primary and

secondary sources Investigate changes and development of agriculture,

transportation, education, mining, and/or population in the Louisiana Purchase

FPI – FEDERAL PURCHASE INVESTIGATOR

How did we acquire the land? What was the land like? Who was already there? Value of land? Value – lasting impact over time?

Power points -- worksheets

Synthesize all material gathered from the sources and activities to answer overarching question.

MISC INFORMATION Theme

HIS – Historical Theme Investigation FPI – Federal Purchase Investigators Hook???

Student worksheets One to summarize the whole lab Create as you go

PowerPoints Technology Independent vs. Group work Break in lab

QUESTIONS???